TORONTO, ON — As the March 6 trade deadline approaches, the Calgary Flames will be a central figure as other teams are trying to zero-in on a number of their players.
While forwards Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman and Ryan Lomberg generate the most buzz, defenceman Mackenzie Weegar is the Flames player many around the NHL are most intrigued about.
Weegar, 32, is in the third year of an eight-year, $50 million contract. He owns a full no-trade clause for another full season after this one and will have a say in where he ends up if the Flames move him – and Flames GM Craig Conroy is taking calls.
The Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins, among others, have poked around Weegar’s availability, but it is important to note that, as of today, the Flames have not yet spoken with Weegar or his agent about the possibility of waiving his NTC. That conversation, however, is likely to occur over the next week, I am led to believe.
It is also important to point out is how much Weegar enjoys being with the Flames and being in Calgary – and this suggests to me that any lateral move to a non-legit Stanley Cup contender would, at the very least, require serious convincing.
The Senators have appeared most interested in Weegar, but given their position in the standings, sources suggest that’s not a spot the veteran rearguard is willing to accept a move to, even if it is in his backyard.
Considered one of the more underrated defencemen in the league, Weegar’s style and overall performance checks a lot of boxes for teams fishing for a right-shot blueliner who can also play he left side. The Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning are two other teams in the market for a right-shot, top-four defenceman, may pursue Weegar if he were willing to go to either club.
Conroy is taking calls on several assets, signifying to some that Calgary’s accepted their fate and are going through a rebuild. Moving out Coleman, with one-year left on his contract, and Kadri, who has three more years left after this season, gives Conroy the opportunity to collect additional assets to strengthen a rebuild with foundational pieces – the club already has a second first-round pick in this summer’s NHL Draft. Moving out Weegar would general a haul, as well.
Until Conroy speaks with Weegar, though, all this could be moot. That convo is expected and it should provide some clarity for the immediate future, at least.