Flames are listening on MacKenzie Weegar, but cards are in his hands with no-trade clause
The Calgary Flames figure to be the biggest player in the seller category when the NHL trade deadline rolls around next week.
Center Nazem Kadri is highly coveted for his Stanley Cup-winning pedigree, as is depth winger Blake Coleman.
But general manager Craig Conroy has another card he could play to command a big return in defenseman MacKenzie Weegar. Weegar has a no-trade clause, but if he waives, the Flames would likely have no shortage of interested suitors looking to add a highly capable number two defenseman.
On Thursday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, host Tyler Yaremchuk and co-host and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton were joined by NHL insider David Pagnotta to discuss where Weegar stands ahead of next Friday’s trade deadline.
Tyler Yaremchuk: Let’s switch gears to another Western Canadian team here and the Calgary Flames. I was very intrigued when the name MacKenzie Weegar popped up the other day. He’s in year two of an eight-year extension with the Calgary Flames. What’s their interest level in moving him? Because man, if they decide to move him, I would imagine the list is long when it comes to teams who’d want in on that.
David Pagnotta: Yeah, and more teams have started to inquire on him in the last seven to ten days, the second half of the Olympic break. And even beforehand, there were teams like Ottawa poking around. I throw Detroit in that mix as well. Detroit’s basically looking for a right-shot D. So if they can find that, if it’s not Myers, they’re going to look to bring somebody else in. But MacKenzie Weegar with his control, he’s got a $6.25 million cap hit. He also has a full no-trade clause. So far, they have not approached Weegar about the possibility of waiving it, but it is something that I expect to happen between now and March 6th, where they have that conversation to at least have an understanding as to where his head is at. I think if he does waive, and you’re right, there would be considerable amount of interest in this player. I’ve got to imagine teams like Dallas and Tampa and some of the other top contenders that want to really add an impact type of player would have interest in him as well, but if there’s not a top-tier Cup contender, I don’t think Mackenzie Weegar considers waiving right now, not at this stage of his career. And a big chunk of that has to do with the fact that he really likes it in Calgary. He’s comfortable there. He likes the guys in the room… Teams like Boston and Detroit, maybe there’s a little bit more of a willingness to go in that direction.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…