The Ottawa Senators have been on the hunt for a top-four defenseman all season, and one name that’s surfaced in league circles is Calgary Flames blueliner MacKenzie Weegar. According to multiple NHL executives, Ottawa may have had discussions with Calgary about acquiring the veteran defenseman.
Weegar, 32, is no stranger to the Ottawa area. He played his junior hockey with the Nepean Raiders of the Central Canada Hockey League and grew up just outside the city.
That local connection adds an intriguing layer to a potential deal, especially considering Weegar holds a full no-move clause. Any trade would need his approval, but there’s no indication he’d be opposed to a return to his hometown.
From a roster-building standpoint, Weegar checks a lot of boxes for the Senators. He’s a right-shot defenseman who can log big minutes, play in all situations, and bring some much-needed stability to a blue line that’s struggled with consistency. Just as important, he’s under contract at $6.25 million per year through the 2030-31 season, offering cost certainty at a position where Ottawa has lacked long-term solutions.
It’s no secret that Senators president of hockey operations and GM Steve Staios has been actively exploring the trade market since last spring. He’s been looking to shore up both ends of the ice-searching for a top-four defenseman and a top-six winger to help round out the lineup.
The team previously kicked the tires on Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but that pursuit ended when Andersson made it clear he wasn’t interested in signing an extension in Ottawa. He was eventually dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights.
In Weegar, the Senators would be getting more than just a stopgap. He’s not a rental, and that’s key.
With Ottawa sitting eight points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot and just 30 games left on the schedule, the chances of a playoff push this year are slim. But adding a player like Weegar isn’t just about this season-it’s about building a core that can compete over the long haul.
Weegar has tallied three goals and 16 points in 53 games this season with the Flames, numbers that don’t leap off the page but reflect a steady presence on the back end. His value goes beyond the stat sheet-he brings experience, poise under pressure, and a physical edge that Ottawa’s blue line could use more of.
This season hasn’t gone according to plan for the Senators, and a big part of that has been inconsistent goaltending. Linus Ullmark, their top netminder, is nearing a return, which could help stabilize things down the stretch.
On the blue line, veteran Nick Jensen has had a tough time regaining form after offseason hip surgery. He’s been thrust into top-four minutes on several nights, and the results have been mixed at best.
If Staios can land a player like Weegar-someone who can anchor a pairing and eat tough minutes-it could go a long way in setting the tone for next season and beyond. Even if the Senators fall short of the playoffs this year, they’re not far off.
With the right moves, this team could be back in the postseason conversation sooner rather than later. Weegar might just be the kind of foundational piece that helps them get there.