Last month saw the blockbuster trade of former Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk being sent to the Florida Panthers for a package including Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar.
With their new players due to become unrestricted free agents next summer, there were concerns that the Flames would only benefit short term. However, just a few days ago, Huberdeau signed a bumper eight-year, $10.5 million AAV contract.
With Calgary’s new star winger committing his future to stay in Alberta, thoughts are now turning to Weegar. If the defenceman stays, it could be that the Flames ultimately win this trade. Today’s NHL rumours looks into Weegar’s future with in Alberta.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
MacKenzie Weegar Considering Calgary as his Long Term Club
In a tweet this week, TSN’s Salim Valji revealed that sources have claimed that Weegar has a ‘strong, genuine desire’ to signing long-term with his new club.
He also stated that the Ontario native’s representatives have begun talks with the Flames regarding a new contract.
What Would Weegar Bring to the Flames?
Since his debut the 28-year-old has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the most underrated defencemen in the league.
Showcasing his two-way abilities, Weegar contributed to the Panthers’ offence with 44 points last season. He also was defensively sound with an excellent plus/minus rating of 40, good for ninth in the league. He is also able to play on both sides of defence, mainly on the second pairing.
No doubt about it, Calgary has a valuable new tool in their defensive core and they will undoubtedly want to keep him around. However, Weegar will be looking at a vast improvement on his current $3.25 million cap hit.
Weegar is not considered to be the best in his position, but definitely a key top-four defenceman. Therefore, it is likely he receives a similar contract to Calgary’s other top defencemen. Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson and Chris Tanev all fit that bill and earn between $4.5 million to $5 million.
Unlike his new teammates however, Weegar can test free agency this summer if he receives an offer he feels is unfair. Combining this with the potential for a stock rising performace this season, Calgary may be generous with their offer. This could lead the former seventh-round pick to bag himself a deal carrying an AAV between $5 million to $6 million.
👉 Info:
✅ MacKenzie Weegar, O
✅ 28 let
✅ 183cm/91kg
✅ Střelí: pravou
✅ Plat: 3,25 milionů dolarů
✅ Platnost: do 2022-23
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👉 https://t.co/GXfnW0Tpt9
▫️▫️▫️@NHLFlames / #Flames / #FireItUp / #CofRed / @NHL / #nhl pic.twitter.com/tFhMBgN4fM— Calgary Flames 🇨🇿/🇸🇰 (@Flames_CZSK) July 29, 2022
