It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re close to the start of training camp and teams are already thinking about the future. General Managers want to know what they’re up against. One team that was super busy was the Calgary Flames. General manager Brad Treliving was active over the summer and made a blockbuster deal. He already inked Jonathan Huberdeau, but a MacKenzie Weegar contract is next on the horizon.
Today’s NHL rumours take a look at if both sides are going to reach an extension. All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
MacKenzie Weegar Contract Talks
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast talked about if the two sides are talking extension. Weegar was part of the big trade over the summer that included Huberdeau and Matthew Tkachuk. Friedman said that both sides are going to take a run at an extension. Fellow Sportnet writer Eric Francis talked to Weegar and he wants to get an extension done soon.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1568344275443765250
The Ottawa native becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Weegar is in the last year of a contract that pays him $3.25 million a season. He’ll likely seek a pay raise, but how much will the Flames have for him after signing Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri during the offseason.
The 28-year-old has been solid in his last few seasons with the Florida Panthers. He’ll likely try to bank on that success to get himself a decent pay day.
What it Means
The Flames will have done a great job in the trade if they can lock down the talented defenceman. Weegar notched a career-high eight goals and 44 points with Florida last season. Everyone is talking about Tkachuk and Huberdeau in the deal. However, the addition of the young blueliner may have tilted the trade in the Flames’ favour.
The Milan Lucic deal will finally come off the books and save the club $5.25 million. Treliving could also move some other contracts out to give the club some breathing room. Signing Weegar should be a priority if he keeps his strong play going.
“I’m going to miss those guys like crazy…”
Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad on the chemistry he had with MacKenzie Weegar and Jonathan Huberdeau. Story from @salimvalji: https://t.co/CdYPj8RUVn#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/xUf5f5C79f
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) September 8, 2022
