The 2024–25 NHL season is now underway, and there certainly will be plenty of storylines to keep an eye on this season. One thing that will be new this season is the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament that will take place in February instead of the All-Star Game.
Speculation has already begun on which players will represent the four teams that will be at the tournament. As always, everyone has a differing opinion of who will make the team and who will be left off. However, one player I have not seen getting any love despite his terrific play the last handful of years is none other than Calgary Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar.
Weegar has been a rock on the blue line for multiple years now, and it is only right that he should be getting the respect he deserves when it comes to who will make this team. I will make my case for why Weegar should be on Team Canada when the tournament kicks off in February.
Domination at both ends of the ice
At this point, I think all of us Flames fans who watch Weegar on a nightly basis understand how dominant he can be and how good he has been since becoming a Flame in 2022. He has been a force at both ends of the ice. It took him a while to get going at the offensive end when he arrived in Calgary, but since the All-Star break in 2023, he has been one of the top offensive defencemen in the league when it comes to driving offence.
Since the start of last season, Weegar ranks second in total goals scored with 22—just one behind Roman Josi—and fifteenth in total points with 55. Not too bad when offence is not exactly Weegar’s calling card. He can bring the offence when necessary, and he has only been getting better with each passing game.
When it comes to the defensive side of the puck, Weegar is one of the best defenders in hockey. He suppresses scoring chances extremely well, defends off the rush with ease, and skates exceptionally well for a player you probably wouldn’t expect it from. He has all the tools to shut down the opposition, and he plays with an edge that allows him to muck it up when he has to. He has everything in his toolbox necessary to be a top defender in the league.
Versatility, versatility, and more versatility
One of Weegar’s most important aspects is his versatility when it comes to where he can play in the lineup. Since coming to Calgary—and dating back to his time with the Florida Panthers—Weegar has primarily played the left side as a right-handed shot.
When it comes to building a team with a bunch of different players, it sure is a nice thing to have someone who is completely comfortable playing his offside. There have been plenty of players who do not play as well when they are put in a position that isn’t natural to them. Weegar, however, seems to play better when he is on the left side. That is not to say he can’t play his natural right side; he can, but he seems to be more comfortable on the left. That can be huge when trying to build a defence group.
Weegar has also shown he can play in any situation that is thrown at him. Want him to play the top minutes to shut down the opposition’s top offensive threats? He can do that with no problems. Need some offence from the backend? Weegar has got your back. Need a top penalty-killer or a power play quarterback? Yeah, Weegar can do that in spades.
There really isn’t anything Weegar can’t do. Sure, he may not be the best offensive defenceman in the league, and Team Canada will have players more offensively gifted than him, but it is really important to have someone in your lineup who can play anywhere you ask him to.
Lots of competition for a roster spot
There are no spots that are ever guaranteed on a national team unless you are one of the best players in the world, like Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, or Cale Makar. The competition for spots on this team is going to be fierce, there are going to be a boatload of players that will be pushing for a spot to represent their country on the world stage.
If Weegar wants a legit shot at making Team Canada, he is just going to have to continue what he has been doing for the last year. He has been great, there is no doubt about that, but for him to be noticed, he will have to continue being the guy that we have seen him be at his highest level.
That doesn’t just mean the offence to his game but also being responsible on the defensive side. The offensive numbers will always be one of the key factors when selecting players for a team. However, you cannot win on offensive alone (ask the Edmonton Oilers how that is going for them so far).
So, if Weegar can continue to do what he does, I have no doubt that he will, at the very least, be considered to wear the Canadian jersey come February.
