The perfect defenseman for the Maple Leafs just became available
The Calgary Flames are reportedly quietly listening to interest surrounding defenseman MacKenzie Weegar and Brad Treliving and the Leafs should at least inquire.
Acquired by Brad Treliving and the Flames in July of 2022 along with Jonathan Huberdeau in the Matthew Tkachuk deal, Weeger signed a 7-year extension that carries a $6.25M cap hit just before the 2022 season began.
The 30-year-old is signed until the end of the 2027-2028 season and would be the perfect addition to the Leafs' blueline. Weegar is coming off of a career year where he scored 20 goals, (more than double any Leafs defenseman last year) and had racked up a total of 52 points.
Acquiring the righty would not only allow the Leafs to move Timothy Liljegren down to the third pair (or trade him), but it would also allow them to keep Jake McCabe on his natural left side, instantly giving them a defensive corps that could be considered top-10 in the league. It would also be a solid move in the event that Jani Hakanpaa suffers a setback with his surgically repaired knee, or if the Leafs decide not to finalize the Hakanpaa deal.
It would cost the Leafs significant pieces like a first-round pick, one of Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten, or a combination of pieces, but with the Flames essentially refusing to make any trade with the Leafs, that would have to be the baseline just to bring Calgary to the table.
The good news for the Leafs and Treliving in this case is that Weegar has a full no-trade clause, meaning he has to approve any trade and could handcuff the Flames. As we all know, Treliving likes to make calls and check in on players around the league, so he will continue to call the Flames about players he brought to Calgary, but it is unfortunately doubtful any of them will end up with the Leafs.
MacKenzie Weegar also happens to be from Ontario and could be looking to play a little closer to home, for whatever that's worth.
Source: Hockey Reference: Mackenzie Weegar Player Profile
| POLL | ||
11 JUILLET | 638 ANSWERS The perfect defenseman for the Maple Leafs just became available Would you be happy if the Leafs acquired MacKenzie Weegar? | ||
| Yes | 303 | 47.5 % |
| No, it would cost too much | 124 | 19.4 % |
| Only if they could get him at a fair price | 211 | 33.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
