Mammoth Bolster Defense with Weegar Trade Ahead of Playoff Push

Utah adds All-Star blueliner from Flames as they look to end postseason drought

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Utah Mammoth made a big splash at the NHL trade deadline, acquiring defenseman MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a significant package of draft picks. The move strengthens an already formidable Mammoth blue line as they make a push for their first playoff berth since relocating to Salt Lake City.

Why it matters

The Mammoth have emerged as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender this season, sitting firmly in a wild card spot in the Western Conference. Adding an elite two-way defenseman like Weegar could be the missing piece to help Utah break through and reach the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

The details

The Mammoth sent Calgary a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 second-round pick, and top prospect Caden Neilson to acquire the 29-year-old Weegar. The move reunites Weegar with Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny, who coached him during his junior career. Weegar is having another strong season, with 6 goals and 29 assists in 60 games so far.

  • The trade was completed just before the 2026 NHL trade deadline on March 3rd.
  • The Mammoth are currently in a wild card position with 19 games left in the regular season.

The players

MacKenzie Weegar

A 29-year-old defenseman who has been an All-Star and Stanley Cup champion with the Calgary Flames.

Andre Tourigny

The head coach of the Utah Mammoth, who previously coached Weegar in junior hockey.

Caden Neilson

A top prospect in the Mammoth organization who was included in the trade package to acquire Weegar.

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What they’re saying

“MacKenzie Weegar is one of the best two-way defensemen in the league, and adding him to our blue line is a game-changer for us. We're thrilled to have him on board as we make a push for the playoffs.”

— Kyle Dubas, General Manager, Utah Mammoth (Deseret News)

“This is a huge move for us and shows the organization's commitment to winning. Weegar is exactly the kind of player we need to take the next step and make some noise in the playoffs.”

— Andre Tourigny, Head Coach, Utah Mammoth (Salt Lake Tribune)

What’s next

The Mammoth will look to integrate Weegar into their lineup immediately as they make a final push for the playoffs. They currently hold a 5-point cushion in a wild card spot, but will face stiff competition from the fading Kraken down the stretch.

The takeaway

The Mammoth have emerged as a force in the Western Conference this season, and the addition of Weegar shows they are serious about ending their playoff drought and making a deep postseason run. This trade could be the difference-maker that propels Utah to its first-ever playoff berth.