Flames sign Weegar to 8-year, $50M extension

The Calgary Flames signed defenseman Mackenzie Weegar to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $6.25 million.

The extension begins in 2023-24.

Calgary has now inked both players it obtained in the Matthew Tkachuk trade to eight-year contract extensions, agreeing to a deal with Jonathan Huberdeau in early August. That pact carries a $10.5-million AAV.

The Flames acquired Weegar, Huberdeau, prospect Cole Schwindt, and a 2025 conditional first-round pick from the Florida Panthers in the blockbuster swap in July.

"The guys were all excited, shaking my hand and saying congratulations," Weegar said Friday in reference to his new contract, according to Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson. "A few of them said, 'Well deserved,' but they don't really know. They haven't seen me play too, too much. So expectations are high within the teammates."

Weegar has been one of the NHL's best and most underrated two-way blue-liners in recent years. The 28-year-old established career highs in goals (eight), assists (36), average ice time (23:22), and games played (80) with the Panthers last season.

The Ottawa-born rearguard suited up for five-plus campaigns with Florida, the club that drafted him 206th overall in 2013.

Weegar's deal puts the Flames approximately $3.5 million over the salary cap, according to CapFriendly. Calgary has 28 players on its roster, five over the limit.