PUBLICATION
Michael Amatulli
February 25, 2026Â Â (10:34)
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
As the March 6 NHL trade deadline looms, the Calgary Flames have signaled that they are open to trade right-shotoing defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.
According to a report from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, the Flames have set a premium asking price for the veteran defenseman, demanding a package that includes a top draft pick plus a high-end prospect or a roster player.
Trade-interest in D-man rising as March 6 approaches
For Calgary, moving Weegar would be a significant shift in their rebuilding strategy, but General Manager Craig Conroy appears determined to maximize the return on a player who carries both high-level performance and rare contractual term.
For the Red Wings, Weegar is more than a standard “rental” player. He is currently in the third year of an eight-year, $50 million contract that runs through the 2030-31 season with a team friendly average annual value of $6.25M, quite reasonable for a top-four defenseman.
Even on a struggling Flames squad, MacKenzie Weegar remains a peripheral stat monster, racking up over 120 blocks and 120 hits through late February.
Right-shot defensemen are the most sought-after commodity at the deadline, giving Calgary significant leverage in negotiations, while filling a need on Detroit’s top-four.
For the Detroit Red Wings, a trade for MacKenzie Weegar would be the ultimate “all-in” move to cement their status as legitimate contenders. As of late February 2026, Detroit sits 3rd in the Atlantic Division (72 points) and is desperate to end a nine-season playoff drought.
The Red Wings have roughly $12.5M in projected cap space (and up to $45M in total flexibility), which allows them to absorb Weegar’s full contract without asking Calgary to retain salary, which could lower the “prospect” cost of the trade.
Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider
POLL
16 HOURS AGO|132 ANSWERS
Major trade development in Detroit, asking price revealed by Calgary Flames
Should Red Wings pursue MacKenzie Weegar at the trade-deadline?