Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar have only been Calgary Flames players for a couple of days, but the pair of former Florida Panthers are open to sticking with their new team.
"We didn't really talk about that, but I'm open to staying in Calgary for a long time. … We haven't gotten to go to Calgary and see everything, but I'm open for it," Huberdeau said during his introductory press conference Monday.
Weegar shared a similar sentiment.
"Yep, same here, open to signing a long-term deal. … The city and the team, there's no reason not to be open about it," the 28-year-old defenseman said. "I'm looking forward to my agent talking to (general manager Brad Treliving) and seeing what's going on."
The Flames acquired Huberdeau, Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt, and a conditional 2025 first-round pick from the Panthers in exchange for star forward Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional 2025 fourth-rounder late Friday night.
Huberdeau and Weegar each have one year remaining on their current deals with a combined cap hit of $9.15 million and can become unrestricted free agents next summer.
Huberdeau admitted it was hard to say what might factor into his decision to stay but was pleased the Flames sought his services.
"They're the ones that traded for me, and that means they want me," the 29-year-old star winger said. "Obviously, the situation was different with Tkachuk wanting to leave Calgary, but I think they still went and got us. You want to play for a team that wants you, and that's all I want."
Weegar, meanwhile, revealed what might be on his mind while thinking about his future with Calgary.
"Are we a winning team, how is the city, how are the teammates, how are my coaches?" he said. "I think … they're the boxes that you check to sign a long-term deal with the team. … I've heard lots of great things about all those things I just said."
The Panthers captured the Presidents' Trophy as the league's best team in the regular season after a 122-point campaign. Huberdeau and Weegar were key to Florida's success, with the former potting 115 points in 80 games and the latter ranking second among the team's blue-liners with 44 points in 80 contests.
The Flames had a spectacular season of their own, finishing atop the Pacific Division with a record of 50-21-11.
