In a candid dressing-room exchange, mackenzie weegar acknowledged for the first time that he might listen if asked to waive his full no-trade clause — a development that reframes Calgary’s faltering season and accelerates interest from multiple suitors as the March 6 trade deadline approaches. His comments blend reluctance with realism: he loves Calgary but also recognizes the roster’s state and the difficult choices looming for player and club alike.
Mackenzie Weegar: Who’s Calling and Where He Stands
The 32-year-old defenceman is squarely in play in several teams’ calculations. He is in the third year of an eight-year, $50 million contract and owns a full no-trade clause for another full season after this one, meaning he will have a decisive voice if the Flames move him. The Calgary general manager Craig Conroy is taking calls, and reports indicate the Utah Mammoth and the Flames were finalizing discussions that depend on whether mackenzie weegar will waive his protection.
Across the league, clubs that have shown interest include the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins; other teams such as the Dallas Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning also fit the profile of potential suitors seeking a right-shot, top-four defenceman who can play the left side. That mix of teams reflects contrasting appeals — proximity, contention level and roster fit — all factors mackenzie weegar said he would weigh.
Why a Waiver Would Reshape Calgary’s Timeline
Calgary’s season is widely described as drifting toward irrelevance, and the rebuild has not progressed as hoped. The possibility that mackenzie weegar would consider a waiver matters because of his profile within the organization. He was acquired in the Matthew Tkachuk deal, signed long term because he believed in the franchise direction, helped push for the new arena and has been touted as a potential future captain. He has been durable, competitive and productive — characteristics that make him both a leadership pillar and a high-value trade asset.
Strategically, moving a player of Weegar’s stature would signal a commitment to deeper retooling or rebuilding. Calls on other veteran pieces show Calgary is exploring asset collection to strengthen its long-term base; extracting maximum return for mackenzie weegar would be central to that calculus. Conversely, retaining him would keep a cornerstone of the locker room and on-ice structure intact while the franchise attempts to bridge the gap to contention.
Voices, Next Steps and the Unresolved Question
MacKenzie Weegar has broken from silence in a limited way. He said, “I think everything’s got to be put into consideration at some point. Will I? I don’t know, but obviously it’s the first time I’ve ever been in a situation with a lot of rumors around me. So, it’s new, it’s different. ” He added, “It’s not something that I wanted to be a part of, ” and framed his feelings about Calgary bluntly: “But I love it here. I want to win here. ” Those remarks are the clearest public indication yet that he is open to weighing options if formally approached.
Craig Conroy, general manager, Calgary Flames, is engaged in conversations about multiple roster pieces, a posture that reflects the franchise wrestling with its competitive window. Flames management has not yet spoken with Weegar or his agent about the possibility of waiving his no-trade clause; that conversation is likely to occur in the days before the March 6 deadline. Meanwhile, teams that have expressed interest are waiting on the player’s decision — for some potential deals, his permission is the hinge.
The immediate operational picture is straightforward: if mackenzie weegar agrees to waive, trade discussions that are described as advanced would move quickly. If he does not, the Flames retain a core leader but also preserve the option to revisit his status in the future. Either path will send a clear signal about Calgary’s immediate priorities and the pace of its rebuild.
Looking Ahead
As the deadline nears, the central question is whether the first explicit willingness to consider a waiver from a long-tenured leader will translate into action. Will mackenzie weegar make a decision that accelerates the Flames’ roster reset, or will his preference for staying grind negotiations to a halt and keep the franchise’s options open? The answer will reverberate through trade rooms and the team’s dressing room alike.
