SABRES, FLAMES AGREE TO SEVEN-PLAYER TRADE
June 28, 2024
BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo Sabres announced today that the team has acquired forward Blake Coleman and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames in exchange for forwards Peyton Krebs, Jiri Kulich, and Viktor Neuchev, defenseman Henri Jokiharju, and a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
As part of the trade, Calgary will retain 38.78% of Coleman’s salary and cap hit ($1.9M AAV).
Coleman (5’ 11”, 199 lbs, 11.28.1991) joins the Sabres following three seasons with the Flames, where he tallied 141 points and 175 penalty minutes in 245 games. Before his time in Calgary, he spent parts of six seasons with the New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning, where he won two Stanley Cups. Prior to turning pro, Coleman spent two years in the United States Hockey League and four years with the NCAA’s Miami Redhawks. The Plano, Texas native was drafted in the third round, 75th overall by the Devils in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Weegar (6’ 0”, 206 lbs, 01.07.1994) comes to Buffalo after spending two years in Calgary, where he tallied 79 points and 86 penalty minutes in 163 games. Before being traded to the Flames, Weegar spent five seasons with the Florida Panthers. Prior to turning pro, he spent two seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Nepean, Ontario native was drafted in the seventh round, 206th overall by the Panthers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.
“We are thrilled to add Blake and MacKenzie to our group,” said the Sabres GM. “It became clear to us last season that our lineup was in desperate need of physicality and veteran leadership, and these two men exemplify those qualities. It was a hefty price to pay, but we felt we could afford it given the strength and depth of both our NHL roster and prospect group. We wish Peyton, Henri, Jiri, and Viktor all the best in Calgary.”
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft begins tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN. The Sabres hold the 7th overall selection.