The trade winds are blowing in the nation’s capital, and General Manager Steve Staios appears ready to make a splash. According to a report from insider Bruce Garrioch, the Ottawa Senators have engaged in discussions with the Calgary Flames regarding right-shot defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.
For a team desperate to stabilize its top four, Weegar checks every box on paper: he plays with an edge, he can move the puck, and he eats minutes. But the most intriguing part of this report isn’t just the interest—it’s the rumored asking price. Sources suggest the Flames are looking for a second-round pick and a top prospect.
On the surface, that price tag seems palatable for a player of Weegar’s caliber. However, looking closer at the contract situation and the Senators’ precarious position in the Eastern Conference playoff race reveals a much more complicated gamble. Before fans start ordering custom jerseys, we need to talk about the long-term implications of this potential blockbuster.
The Cost of Business: What the Flames Want for Weegar
The reported asking price of a second-rounder and a high-end prospect is standard fare for a top-four defender at the deadline. However, my personal insight suggests there is more to this negotiation than meets the eye. The complexity here lies in Weegar’s contract.
Weegar, 32, is signed through the 2030-31 season carrying a hefty $6.25 million AAV. More importantly, he holds a full no-trade clause (NTC). This puts Weegar firmly in the driver’s seat. If he doesn’t want to come to Ottawa, the conversation is over. If he is willing to waive, Calgary can afford to be incredibly patient. They aren’t just selling a rental; they are moving a core piece with term. If the Ottawa Senators don’t meet the price, Calgary can simply wait for the summer or leverage interest from other teams, such as the rumored pursuit by the Detroit Red Wings.
From an asset management standpoint, Staios has to be careful. Acquiring Weegar isn’t just about the rest of this season; it’s a marriage to that contract until the player is 37 years old. Weegar is a fantastic competitor, but players with his physical style often see a decline in their mid-30s.
The Playoff Push vs. The Retool
The Senators are currently in a fascinating limbo coming out of the Olympic break. They are hoping to string wins together to close the gap in the East. Adding Weegar signals to the locker room that management believes in this core. It addresses the glaring need for a right-shot stabilizer to pair with the team’s young, left-shot heavy core.
However, the risk is substantial. If the Senators stumble in the next two weeks, they could easily flip from buyers to sellers. Committing to Weegar’s term right now forces the window open, whether the team is ready or not.
If I’m Steve Staios, I make this deal only if I believe Weegar is the missing culture-setter on the back end. If this is purely a panic move to save a slipping season, the long-term cap implications could haunt the franchise. The Flames are content to wait; the pressure is squarely on Ottawa to decide what they want to be.
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