Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky speaks to the media after Florida's 5-1 win in Edmonton on Dec. 16. When the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames take the ice on Monday night at the Saddledome, the spotlight will likely be following around forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Jonathan Huberdeau. They were, after all, the centerpieces of the blockbuster trade between Florida and Calgary during the summer of 2022. In the time since, there has been plenty of discussion regarding the trajectories that the two star forwards have taken – with Tkachuk thriving in South Florida and Huberdeau struggling with the Flames – but another player involved in the trade has been playing exceptionally well for his new squad. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] We’re talking about defenseman MacKenzie Weegar. After initially struggling out of the gate during year one in Calgary, Weegar began to find his footing with the Flames once the calendar flipped to 2023. His strong play from the second half of last season carried over into the summer, where he was named the top defenseman and one of two defensive All-Stars at the 2023 IIHF World Championship while playing for Team Canada. This season, Weegar is providing high-end defensive play while trending toward a career year in terms of scoring. His eight goals this season already match a career high, set in 2021-22 while playing 80 games for Florida, and tie him for second-most in the NHL, just one behind league-leading Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks. Weegar is also on pace for a 50-point season, which would smash his previous high of 44, also set during that 21-22 season. “It feels good,” Weegar said over the weekend, according to Sportsnet [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/weegars-surge-puts-different-spin-on-flames-blockbuster-tkachuk-deal/]. “I’m honestly just happy I’m contributing. It’s coming every game right now and I’ve got to let it ride a little bit. I’m just trying to be a threat out there – our whole defensive core is getting our shots through.” After ending the month of November with goals in back-to-back games, Weegar has been on fire in December, racking up 2 goals and 7 points though Calgary’s eight games. All but one of those seven points came at even strength. Those who remember Weegar’s time with the Panthers know he is fully capable of playing the role of a number one defenseman. Now he’s gobbling up minutes and providing solid play on both ends of the ice in his new western Canadian home. “I’d say the Covid year was probably the best I’ve felt, but I’d say this is pretty close offensively,” said Weegar, via Sportsnet [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/weegars-surge-puts-different-spin-on-flames-blockbuster-tkachuk-deal/]. “Defensively, I think I can still be a bit better in areas, but contributing offensively has been great.” LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers in Calgary looking to wrap up road trip on high note [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-in-calgary-looking-to-wrap-up-road-trip-on-high-note] Three takeaways: Brandon Montour, Sam Bennett rounding into form, Bob steals the show [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-brandon-montour-sam-bennett-rounding-into-form-bob-steals-the-show] Nine years ago Florida won the longest shootout in NHL history [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/nine-years-ago-florida-won-the-longest-shootout-in-nhl-history] ‘It was so much fun to play against them’: Sergei Bobrovsky was unfazed facing relentless Oilers attack [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/it-was-so-much-fun-to-play-against-them-sergei-bobrovsky-was-unfazed-facing-relentless-oilers-attack] Bobrovsky, Bennett fuel Panthers 5-1 win in Edmonton [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/bobrovsky-bennett-fuel-panthers-5-1-win-in-edmonton] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
