Weegar hopes to ink extension with Flames before start of season
Calgary Flames blue-liner MacKenzie Weegar is looking to sign an extension before the regular season starts.
Weegar's agent, Matthew Ebbs, said his client doesn't want in-season negotiations to become a disturbance for the club.
"Mack is the ultimate team guy, and once the season starts, he does not want to be a distraction and doesn’t want to be dealing with this in the media room," Ebbs told Sportsnet's Eric Francis.
He continued: "That's why our preference is if we can get something done before the season, that's definitely where our head is at. If we can't, we're not saying we won't have any discussions, but we'd prefer to just leave it so there are no team distractions after Oct. 13."
Calgary landed Weegar - along with star winger Jonathan Huberdeau - in an offseason trade with the Florida Panthers. Both players were scheduled to hit unrestricted free agent after the upcoming campaign, but Huberdeau signed an eight-year extension shortly after the blockbuster.
"I want a long-term deal here," Weegar said. "Being here, the guys have been great and the city is very warm and welcoming."
"My best buddy Huby, I'd love to spend another five, six, seven, eight years here with him. ... I think all the pieces are here to be a successful team for years to come," Weegar added.
Weegar's current contract pays him $3.25 million per season. Ebbs said negotiations have begun between the player's camp and general manager Brad Treliving, but the two sides have yet to agree on a price.
"It just comes down to Brad and the organization and our side coming down to terms on a deal that's good for both sides," Ebbs said.
The Flames currently have approximately $9.3 million in cap space for 2023-24, according to CapFriendly. Weegar is Calgary's biggest name on an expiring contract.
The 28-year-old Weegar was a seventh-round pick of the Panthers in 2013. He's notched 121 points in 306 career games after finally becoming an NHL regular in the 2017-18 campaign. Weegar set career highs in points (44), average ice time (23:22), shots (203), hits (179), and blocks (156) last season.