The Olympic break is now here. At this point in the NHL season, we’re looking at the trade deadline right around the corner. Teams are now going into a full push for the playoffs. We will begin to see a ton of reports on players being available from teams that will be sellers. That has been the case for the Calgary Flames all year.
The rumour mill has been large since the end of last season, and that was just regarding Rasmus Andersson. The Flames finally traded him last month after tons of speculation. The tables have now shifted. Blake Coleman and Nazem Kadri’s names were thrown around: it seems like a matter of time before they are dealt. But one name that has quietly been inserted into that conversation is MacKenzie Weegar. We have now seen multiple reports indicating that the Flames will listen to calls on Weegar. Yet, we cannot say that the Flames have any actual interest in moving him.
A year ago, you probably would have been insane to think the Flames would even consider moving Weegar. Today, however, it doesn’t seem all that crazy.
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Why would the Flames consider trading Weegar?
There is a lot to unpack on why the Flames would ever consider moving Weegar out in the first place. We have seen a lot of progression from the Flames’ youth this season. Hunter Brzustewicz has shown that he is ready for the NHL. He has played well, physically and mentally prepared for the NHL, albeit in a limited role right now. Zayne Parekh has just returned from a long absence from the NHL due to an injury he sustained in November. So far, everything has been positive for the 19-year-old. He has looked much more confident and comfortable with and without the puck on his stick, and he may already be the Flames’ most skilled player.
There are limited spots on the right side, with two poised to take full-time NHL spots next season. Assuming the Flames don’t flip Zach Whitecloud in the next two seasons, there will be issues fitting everyone in. Weegar is the team’s best defenceman, even with the awful year he is having. He could be an enticing option for a contending team looking to go on a deep playoff run. He is a player I think a lot of teams would love to have. Weegar is strong defensively, can produce offensively, and he’s a play driver on both ends of the ice.
Weegar would bring back a strong return, even through a year that he isn’t at his best. Plenty of teams would give up significant assets to add a player like him. He has a term left on his deal, and I don’t see Weegar falling off anytime soon. Something will have to give if the Flames decide that Whitecloud will be part of their future, instead of someone they are willing to sell off. This could mean Weegar could be on his way out, assuming that the rumour mill is true and the Flames would consider moving him if the price was right.
Why it doesn’t make sense to trade Weegar, at least not right now
For all the reasons I mentioned above, I still don’t think the idea of trading Weegar makes a whole lot of sense, at least at this point in time. The Flames just moved Andersson, a core piece of their team and the leadership group. Even though everyone knew it was coming from a mile away, that is still something that probably hurts the team in the room and the culture of the organization.
Weegar has obviously been a huge part of the Flames since he arrived back in 2022. He has not only been a key player on the ice, but he has also been a strong leader and ambassador off the ice. At this point in the year, taking him out of the room and off the blue line may not be the best choice. It is easy to say that the team may be better off without Weegar. He has had a bad year; in fact, it’s been the worst season he’s had since becoming a Flame. It doesn’t help that he hasn’t had a stable partner since probably 2024.
Selling Weegar now would probably mean the Flames take a hit on his value. Andersson’s return was good due to the season he was having. Weegar is on the opposite end of the spectrum; you would be selling him for pennies on the dollar unless a team came and blew the doors off with an offer. He is still a great player, despite his recent performance. He still provides value for the team even if they are one of the worst in the sport right now. Weegar is a leader, and he is now tasked with leading the defence in the absence of Andersson.
Guys like Parekh, Brzustewicz, and, hopefully, one day Henry Mews, will look up to Weegar as someone to aspire to. We already know the type of relationship Weegar has built with Parekh since he joined the team late last season. I have no doubt he is helping the other young players on the roster get adjusted to life in the NHL. That type of stuff is valuable. Weegar has been in the league for a while and has played on strong teams in the past. He is exactly the type of guy you still want around, and he is still a great player; you cannot take that for granted.
If you want to move him a couple of years from now, I think that could be a good idea, depending on where the team is and how Weegar’s game still is. However, I wouldn’t be in any rush to move off of him right now.
The future is still the most important thing
I have said it before, and I will continue to emphasize it now. The future is what is most important. The Flames have to continue to push the youth movement and sell off any assets that they can. I am not saying to sell off everyone or to keep certain guys around just for the sake of the culture.
If a deal comes around that you can’t refuse, then I am all for making the trades to make the team’s future better. But they still have to keep in mind that this is going to be a relatively young team in the next few years. You cannot just have a bunch of young players on the team with no veteran leadership. Weegar excels in that role, and he is someone that I believe wants to be around for the long haul as a solution, as opposed to taking the easy way out.
Only time will tell.
The Calgary Flames picked up a win! Head to A&W at #120 734 7 Ave SW and pick up a Chubby Chicken™ combo for $9.99*! Show this graphic when you order to get the deal!
Offer only valid at participating location after a Calgary Flames game in the 2025–26 season and the following calendar day until 11:59 p.m. MT.
*Price plus tax.
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