Flames' McKenzie Weegar sends strong message of intent to stay – Sportsnet.ca

LOS ANGELES – Mackenzie Vigar did not sign with Calgary to be part of the rebuild.

But the team's up-and-coming leader wants to know if he doesn't want to bail.

Sending a powerful message in private during the team's wobble in California, the Flames' 30-year-old defenseman declared his full commitment to being part of the solution, not the problem.

“Obviously, when we signed here, we didn't think it would happen, but it does, things can change quickly in this league,” said the Flames defenseman, who signed an eight-year, $50 million extension. shortly after the team arrives in 2022.

“I've been here for a long time.

“I love the city.

“It's easy to ask for a trade, but I grew up not giving it up.

“I want to stay here. I want to win the Cup here, I said that.

“I believe in Connie and Husk and Backlund and Naz and everybody here.

“I don't think we're far off.

“I believe that. I want to turn it around.

“I think it starts with yourself. To help the organization, you have to take it yourself.

My head is here.”

Strong, cultured words.

For an organization whose narrative is dominated by what veterans consider greener pastures, his comments will be a huge boon to fans, teammates and management.

Uigar has developed into a top-tier defenseman, much like he did when he was acquired along with Jonathan Huberdeau in the Matthew Tkachuk trade.

Sitting among the Blue League leaders with 19 career goals and 50 points, Wigar's two-way play has him on the cusp of establishing the NHL's first 20-goal/200-shot block club.

But his leadership on the ice is a great indication that the Flames see him as a franchise pillar that Craig Conroy can now build on himself.

He is a future captain.

“When you have a guy like Tanney (Chris Tanev) in your lineup who could be the captain of another team, I've been watching him closely and taking note of the way he leads, how gentle and how humble he is,” he said. Vigar, whose rotating co-captain status will almost certainly become full-time next year.

“I'm a little louder than him. I feel open in the dressing room. I'm not afraid to tell the boys or the media how it is. I think it should be.

“I think now with the young guys, the new guys, I want to take it upon myself to help them feel comfortable and show them how hard it is to play in this league.

“I wanted to make a conscious effort to step up to that role.”

This has been significant, especially in the latter stages of the games, which he believes should make sense in terms of setting standards and expectations.

“There's only one way to play,” he said.

“We are making a conscious effort to play the right way and work for each other the rest of the year.

“We only entered this room at the end of the day, and at the end of the year we have to face the media.

“How do we come out with a great work ethic, culture and environment so that other players around the league — UFAs and guys who might be traded here — want to be here and want to play here and bring that culture back? ?

“Especially for young guys like Zar (Connor Zari) and Matty (Coronato) and a couple of D-men, they have to see that you have to work in this league, and if you get too complacent, it will chew you up. come up and spit it out quickly.

“I don't want to see any of them go through that. I want them to play the right way and they will only get better.”

As coach Ryan Huska said, Vigar did just that, playing every game like it was his last.

“McKenzie blocks 10 shots a night and does whatever she can to help our team win, that's what you love about her,” said Huska, who can account for nearly 23 minutes a night from Vigar.

“What he does on the ice and what he does off the ice, he's learned to manage his emotions a little bit when things aren't going his way or the team's, and I think that's a big part of his growth. He wants to be a leader and probably expects it from himself right now.

“I know I'm going to get that effort from him the rest of the year.”

And many years ahead.