It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’ve started training camps and pre-season games are underway. However, fans are chomping at the bit to see the regular season start. There’s always speculation on it team’s will be making trades if their seasons trend downward. However, some players are adamant about staying put. Today’s edition of NHL rumours takes a look at a couple of players that want to remain Calgary Flames.
All NHL rumours come from the original source an are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames Duo Looking to Stay in Alberta
Rumour: TSN’s Salim Valji looked into the future of Flames players Nazem Kadri and MacKenzie Weegar. Both players are shutting down talk of wanting to move onto a new team.
From @salimvalji – Kadri shuts down questions about his future in Calgary: https://t.co/c5JOBulEHD
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) September 19, 2024
Analysis: Calgary has seen plenty of turnover since Craig Conroy took over as general manager. A number of players have been moved as the team tries to rebuild and retool. One can’t blame if a pair of veterans want to move onto green pastures.
However, that doesn’t seem to be the case for Kadri and Weegar. Both players joined the team when the Flames were still a Stanley Cup Playoff team. Calgary has taken a turn down the standings, but both love playing in Alberta.
Both players are veterans and are among the two highest-paid players on the roster. It would be tempting to want to trade these players to give themselves more cap flexibility. However, that’s something the two players likely don’t want to do.
Staying Put
Kadri makes $7 million per season and his contract runs until the end of the 2028-29 season. The London, Ontario native is 33 years old and is likely in the latter stages of his career. However, he told the media “to pump the brakes a little bit.” Kadri said he loves the organization and the city.
Weegar echoed the same thoughts as his teammate. The veteran blueliner makes $6.25 million per season and his deal runs until the 2030-31 campaign. “I know a lot of people talk about leaving or whatnot, but I want to build the reputation back up in this city and make it a championship city again,” Weegar said. “They’ve really taken me in here, so I just want to give them back what they’ve given me.”
One can’t help but respect the fact the two players want to see it out with a rebuild. Calgary may be a few seasons away from competing for a post-season spot, but these two are willing to stick out.
Hard to Move
The deals may also be hard to move for Conroy because of the term and the dollar amount. Both of these factors may prevent Conroy from swinging another trade.
It’s often hard enough to move contracts that are more than one year, but these deals are almost going to be impossible to move. Another club would have to really pay a price to acquire either player.
This may be a blessing in disguise as a team with an influx of younger players does need some veteran leadership. Both Kadri and Weegar seems to be willing to provide that to a changing roster.
Main photo by: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
