The Ottawa Senators have been hunting for a legitimate top-four, right-shot defenseman for what feels like a decade. According to new reports from insider Bruce Garrioch, that search has led them to a very familiar face: Calgary Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.
Garrioch reports that league executives have confirmed discussions between the two Canadian clubs regarding the 32-year-old blueliner. While Flames GM Craig Conroy has maintained he is “retooling” rather than burning the roster to the ground, the allure of moving a veteran contract for significant assets might be too tempting to ignore. Weegar is currently signed through the 2030-31 season with a $6.25 million AAV.
For Senators fans, this checks every single box. Weegar plays a heavy, two-way game, brings leadership, and most importantly, plays the right side—a position of perennial weakness in the nation’s capital. But this deal is far from simple. Weegar holds all the cards with a full no-trade clause (NTC) that runs through 2026-27.
The Expert Insight: Why This Feels Real
As someone who has watched the Flames’ blue line transition since the Treliving era ended, Weegar has been a soldier for Calgary. He embraced the city when others left. However, the timeline in Calgary is murky. They are competitive but not contenders. Ottawa, despite their struggles, is desperate to turn the corner now.
Bringing in a guy like Weegar changes the temperature in the room. He isn’t just a stats guy; he’s an emotional leader. If I’m Steve Staios, I am looking at Weegar not just as a defensive upgrade, but as a culture setter. The fact that the teams are talking suggests Conroy is at least willing to listen, which is a massive shift from his stance last season.
What is the Asking Price for MacKenzie Weegar?
If Craig Conroy is going to move his best all-around defenseman, he isn’t going to do it for spare parts. Conroy has stated he wants to retain veterans to help the “promising youngsters,” so a trade has to blow him away.
To get Weegar out of Calgary, the Senators are likely looking at a package that includes a first-round pick and a high-end prospect. Because the Flames are retooling, they might also demand a young, NHL-ready player rather than a draft pick three years away.
A hypothetical trade package could look like this:
- To Calgary: Ottawa’s 2027 1st Round Pick (Top-10 protected), Prospect Jorian Donovan, and a roster player to make the money work (potentially a salary dump or a mid-tier defenseman).
- To Ottawa: MacKenzie Weegar.
Why Weegar Might Waive His NTC
The biggest hurdle is the contract. Weegar has full control. Why would he leave Calgary? Two words: Hometown Hero. Weegar is an Ottawa native. The chance to finish his career playing top-pair minutes for his childhood team, closer to family and friends, is the one lever Staios can pull that other GMs can’t. If the Senators can sell him on the vision that he is the missing piece to get them into the playoffs and on a Stanley Cup run, I believe he waives that clause.
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The post Why the MacKenzie Weegar Trade Rumors to Ottawa Make Perfect Sense appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
