Trade Proposal Emerges Which Will Elevate Maple Leafs To Championship Contention

As this season progresses, it's increasingly likely that the Flames will become sellers, possibly even before the trade deadline. One player, Nikita Zadorov, has already requested a trade due to the organization's struggles.

Nevertheless, Zadorov isn't the only Flames defenseman who might be on the move.

It appears that the team will trade multiple players essentially dismantling their current roster and starting anew. One player who could potentially fetch a valuable return for the Flames is defenseman Mackenzie Weegar.

Weegar has been a rare bright spot for Calgary this season, tallying 2 goals and 4 assists for a total of 6 points in 15 games. Weegar also brings valuable leadership both on and off the ice, evident in his post-game interviews.

However, the main issue for the Leafs in acquiring Weegar is his salary, currently set at $6.25 million, with a contract that extends through the 2030-31 season.

Moving such a contract would be a complex task, particularly for the Leafs, who are pressed up against the salary cap limit. The Flames might not be eager to retain a substantial portion of the salary in such a long-term deal, and involving a third team to facilitate salary retention could be costly.

Nonetheless, acquiring Weegar would represent a substantial defensive upgrade for the Leafs. To make the deal work, Toronto may need to send a player in return, with one potential option being John Klingberg, who has disappointed many fans this season.

While it might require some additional assets to persuade the Flames to accept Klingberg, a trade could happen, potentially making the Leafs one of the top contenders for the Stanley Cup.

As seen on Hockey Patrol - Trade Proposal That Will Transform The Maple Leafs Into Contenders