One of the biggest stories in the NHL as of late has been about high-end American players asking for trades to teams in the United States.
From the intense pressure and scrutiny of playing in some Canadian markets to the better economic situation in the US and even just the fact that, at the moment, the most competitive clubs are all in the States, you can understand it.
Still, it’s understandably rubbing Canadians the wrong way, and Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar is weighing in.
Over the summer, Brady Tkachuk was dealt to the Florida Panthers after asking for a trade from the Ottawa Senators; meanwhile, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck confirmed that he had asked for a trade as well.
Last season, star defenseman Quinn Hughes asked the Vancouver Canucks for a trade, which ultimately led to him joining the Minnesota Wild.
All three of those players were big pieces of the Team USA team that won men’s gold over Canada at the 2026 Olympics.
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Weegar, an Ottawa native, is a good person to ask about this because he has experience playing in both countries, having suited up for the Panthers and Calgary Flames before arriving in Salt Lake City.
He said he enjoyed his experience in a Canadian market and that it’s not great seeing Americans wanting out.
“But it’s a bit unfortunate to see players wanting out of Canada just because I know how passionate the fans are and all the citizens in each city and how much they love their hockey and their star players,” Weegar told TSN’s OverDrive on Wednesday.
However, he did concede that the American clubs can be enticing.
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“You don’t like to see it, but at the same time, there’s a lot of teams out here [like] Utah that has a little bit more to offer than, say, in Canada,” he said. “But at the end of the day, we’re all hockey players; it doesn’t matter where you play, you just want to play in the NHL. It’s the best league in the world.”
True… but if you can be on a more competitive team in a place where income taxes are lower or even non-existent at the state level, the weather is better, and you won’t be under the microscope that players are in Canadian markets, most would take that.
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You can’t blame players for seeking out situations that are more ideal for them and their family.
Especially if it puts them on course to win a Stanley Cup as well.
