The latest on the Flames and pending UFA defenseman MacKenzie Weegar
Acquired along with Jonathan Huberdeau in the Matthew Tkachuk deal, MacKenzie Weegar solidified the Flames' top four immediately and possibly gave them the best defense corps in the NHL. Weegar, along with Noah Hanifin, Oliver Kylington, Rasmus Andersson, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov make up a potent Flames D corps. They may not have a Cale Makar or Roman Josi, but all of their defensemen have solid all-around games.
Shortly after acquiring Huberdeau, the Flames signed him to an 8-year extension worth $10.5M per season ensuring they at least secured a 1 for 1 trade (excluding the pick and the prospect). Now, according to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta the Flames and Weegar have had "good discussions" about a long-term extension.
At 29 years-old, Weegar is set to earn $3.25M this season before becoming a UFA and is in line for a substantial raise.
In 54 and 80 games over the past two seasons, Weegar has put up 36 and 44 points respectively, while playing hardly at all on the powerplay in Florida. Something which he should see more of in Calgary. Evolving-Hockey has Weegar as one of the highest rated defenseman in the league. On offence he is in the 88th percentile and on defence the 95th percentile, which is absurd considering most of his on-ice time with the Panthers was 5 on 5.
In terms of Weegar's extension, this will be his first and only big payday, so he will be looking for a deal in the $8M AAV range. Somewhere in the neighborhood of the Mikhail Sergachev deal. The Flames will be more than happy to give him 8 years as it will keep the cap hit lower.
Evolving Hockey predicts that an extension for Weegar should come in around $7.6M over 7 years, but if the Flames offer him 8 years, that cap hit could end up below $7M per season, which helps the Flames significantly.
There is no rush per say to get Weegar signed to an extension, but given his role will likely be expanded playing in Calgary, the sooner the Flames can lock him up, the cheaper his extension will be.
