Blue Line Bond
MacKenzie Weegar and Yan Kuznetsov are starting to form a partnership, one that’s seen the young Russian blueliner take hold of a top-four role for the past four games.
Kuznetsov’s game is simple, understated, but also effective, which Head Coach Ryan Huska touched on Friday, adding that simplicity can help Weegar’s skill-set flourish.
“We need Kuzy to be a simple, harder defenceman to play against, to allow MacKenzie a little bit of freedom to be a little bit more creative offensively, and for three of the four games that Kuzy’s played (alongside Weegar), I think he’s done a really good job with that,” Huska explained Friday. “So the challenge for him is make sure it’s a consistent thing.”
Weegar returned to the ice Saturday morning after taking a maintenance day Friday. During his post-skate media session, the Ottawa native beamed at the work Kuznetsov has put in alongside him thus far.
“He’s been great for me the last few games,” Weegar said, “Simple guy, big body. You know, I think he realizes right now, he’s getting a great opportunity. I think he’s been waiting for an opportunity like this. So it’s great to know a guy’s going to be bringing his best every single night.
“And I just want to do the same for him, you know, I want to be a great pair with him. For myself building off lost game, just move my feet skating, I know he’s going to be back there defending hard, moving the puck up quick.”
With each passing practice, each passing game, the duo are building their on-ice relationship, but Weegar is hoping to get to know his new defence partner a bit better off the ice, as well.
“He’s an easy guy to talk to,” Weegar added. “I haven’t really talked to him much outside the rink lately, but building that chemistry, relationships outside the rink (are) important to me. So, building that friendship, I think, will help this chemistry.
“He’s been great so far, I’ve got nothing but great things to say about Kuzy right now.”
