Huberdeau, Weegar open to signing long-term with Flames
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While both players are a year away from unrestricted free agency, Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar said Monday they're open to signing long-term deals with the Calgary Flames.
Huberdeau and Weegar were acquired Friday from the Florida Panthers as part of Calgary's return for Matthew Tkachuk.
Huberdeau, who had a career-high 115 points last season, said his agent had already talked to Flames general manager Brad Treliving.
“It’s tough to answer that question right now because Friday night, you think you’re still in Florida and now we’re talking Monday with a new team and you don’t know if you’re going to sign an extension and stuff like that,” Huberdeau said as the two players were introduced on a Zoom call Monday. “I’ve still got one year left on my contract. I’m open to staying with the Flames, but at the end of the day it’s not my decision. It’s with the GM and my agent to work this out.
“It’s something I’m open about … They’re the one that traded for me. That means they want me. Obviously, the situation was different with Tkachuk wanting to leave Calgary (but) they still went out and got us. You want to play for a team that wants you, that’s all I want.”
“I’m open to signing a long-term deal,” Weegar added. “It’s been quick and it’s been short so far, but there’s no reason not to be open about it. I’m looking forward to my agent talking to Brad and seeing what’s going on. I’m very open to it.”
Huberdeau, 29, is entering the last season of a six-year contract carrying a cap hit of $5.9 million. He matched a career-high with 30 goals last season with a career-best 85 assists. He added one goal and five points in 10 playoff games.
Weegar, 28, will carry a cap hit of $3.2 million in the last year of his current deal this season. He had eight goals and 44 points in 80 games last season, adding one assist in 10 playoff games.
The Flames currently have $36 million in projected cap space for next summer with 12 players under contract, per CapFriendly, and Andrew Mangiapane still to sign as a restricted free agent this summer.