In the summer of 2022, we saw one of the biggest NHL trades in recent memory take place. Matthew Tkachuk, then a pending RFA, let the Calgary Flames know he didn’t want to extend, so the Flames shopped him around. It was the end of one era of Flames hockey and the beginning of the next.
The Florida Panthers won the bid for his services. They sent Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt, and a conditional 2025 1st rounder to the Flames in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk and a 2025 4th rounder. Tkachuk agreed to an 8-year, 9.5M AAV deal as part of the trade to Florida.
Trade #1
Matthew Tkachuk (with an 8-year, 9.5M AAV extension) and a 2025 4th rounder (Mads Kongsbak Klyvo) in exchange for MacKenzie Weegar, Jonathan Huberdeau, Cole Schwindt (lost on waivers) and a conditional 2025 1st rounder (Cullen Potter)
On the Panthers’ side, things turned out decent, hey? They went to the Stanley Cup finals in Tkachuk’s first year. And then won the Stanley Cup in the two years following. Tkachuk just won an Olympic gold medal. The Panthers used the 2025 4th rounder to select Mads Kongsbak Klyvo. Enough about the Panthers. I’ve had enough of them.
When the Flames acquired MacKenzie Weegar and Jonathan Huberdeau, they were both in the last year of their contracts. Brad Treliving wasted no time signing Huberdeau to an extension 10 days after the trade was made. Huberdeau locked in an eight-year, $10.5M AAV deal coming off a 115-point season with the Panthers. Weegar took a little bit longer to sign, but locked in an eight-year, $6.25M AAV deal right before the 2022–23 season began. Things didn’t work out for Huberdeau in Calgary, to put it lightly. After a 115-point season with the Panthers before his trade to Calgary, Huberdeau managed just 25 points in 50 games this year. He is out for the rest of this season with an injury, and his contract is seen as one of, if not the worst, in the NHL.
Cole Schwindt played two seasons with the Calgary Wranglers and appeared in four games with the Flames. The Vegas Golden Knights scooped him off waivers during training camp for the 2024–25 season.
Florida’s 2025 first-rounder ended up 32nd overall with another Stanley Cup win. The Flames used the 32nd selection on LW/C Cullen Potter out of Arizona State in the NCAA. Potter has been developing well at Arizona State University this year.
Trade #2
MacKenzie Weegar to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for Olli Maatta, Jonathan Castagna, UTA 2026 2nd rounder, NYR 2026 2nd rounder, OTT 2026 2nd rounder
The Flames made a surprise move yesterday, sending Weegar to the Mammoth for five pieces. After almost four full seasons with the club, Weegar ends his Flames tenure as a great asset for the team and city. He was the first to publicly comment on the Flames’ need for a new arena. He was a great orator for the city and what it meant to be a Flame. Weegar was consistently at the top of the charts in hits and blocks, while also adding to the scoresheet. His 2025-26 season wasn’t near his level of play, but he’s still a fantastic defenceman. Weegar waived his No-Trade Clause to facilitate the trade that was in limbo for most of Wednesday afternoon. It’s quite rare that one deal includes three picks in the same round of the same draft.
Full Trade Tree of Assets Now
The Flames send Matthew Tkachuk and Mads Kongsbak Klyvo in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau, Olli Maatta, Cullen Potter, Jonathan Castagna, UTA 2026 2nd, NYR 2026 2nd, OTT 2026 2nd
By spreading this trade tree amongst multiple second-round picks, this trade tree will no doubt branch out further as we move through the years and these picks are used by the Flames or dealt for other picks or players. Huberdeau is definitely a sore spot. Potter has the potential to be a player on the Flames in a few seasons. Castagna could be something. Maatta will be a solid stopgap defenceman and could be flipped for another asset in a future season.
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