It was a tough start to the season for everyone on the Calgary Flames roster. For MacKenzie Weegar, the season began with hopes of earning a spot on Canada’s Olympic roster. After the tough start, he now finds himself on the outside looking in, with injuries to others potentially his only realistic path to Italy in February.

It’s been a season of uncharacteristic mistakes and a lack of offence from Weegar. He finally scored his first goal of the season against the Florida Panthers, snapping a goalless stretch in which he had 51 shots through his first 25 games. Weegar remains an exceptional defender and a veteran leader for the Flames, and while he can’t be thrilled with the way his season has unfolded, the struggles aren’t entirely on his shoulders.

Since the Flames traded Chris Tanev two years ago, Weegar hasn’t had a steady defensive partner. Last season, he rotated through Daniil Miromanov, Tyson Barrie and Jake Bean before settling in with Joel Hanley down the stretch. This year has been more of the same. Through just 25 games, he has already played with several partners. He opened the season with Hanley, but after a rough start the pairings were shuffled. Since then, he has skated with Bean, Brayden Pachal, Zayne Parekh and, most recently, Yan Kuznetsov — his longest stint with any player so far.

Kuznetsov, who appeared in one game for the Flames in 2023-24, had to wait a couple of seasons for another NHL opportunity. In his first true run with the club, he has been impressive. He scored his first NHL goal on a wicked wrist shot past fellow Russian Daniil Tarasov and has added a couple of assists. But beyond the points — which aren’t his primary focus — he’s looked comfortable at the NHL level, making smart plays with the puck, defending responsibly, chapping in on the penalty kill and contributing to offensive pressure.

Most importantly, he has helped bring out the version of MacKenzie Weegar that Flames fans know and expect. For the first time this season, Weegar has a regular partner instead of arriving at the rink unsure who he’ll line up with. Chemistry matters, and the improvement has been obvious. It’s easy to say Weegar can play with anyone. Weegar plays at an exceptional level on both the left and right side but clearly the revolving door of defensive partners hasn’t been working.

For Weegar, this feels like a turning point. With comfort and familiarity now in place, he can play with more confidence. The last week or two he’s played his best hockey of the season and the expectation is that he will continue to elevate his game going forward.  The Olympic roster remains a long shot, but if he continues to elevate his game over the next month, he could at least keep his name in the minds of the Team Canada decision makers should an opportunity open up.

It’s always encouraging when a young player is given a chance in the NHL and runs with it. It’s also impressive for them to have a quiet yet substantial impact on the team in such a brief stretch.  With Kuznetsov’s strong play and the stability he has provided throughout the Flames’ blue line, he shouldn’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Hopefully this pairing is not just a short term success story. Kuznetsov has more than earned his place in the lineup along side Weegar and I’m sure Weegar doesn’t want to lose this newfound partner anytime soon.

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