4 Potential Trade Destinations for Flames Defenceman Zach Whitecloud

Barring a drastic turnaround, the Calgary Flames aren’t going to be a playoff team this season. While they were finally able to pick up their first win of the season on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks, they own a 1-6-0 record thus far and by all accounts are lining up to be sellers once again at the trade deadline.

This was always the expectation heading into the season, as the Flames are still in the early stages of their rebuilding process. And, while they don’t have as many players to ship out as they have in recent years, there are still a few who have and will continue to garner interest.

One of those individuals is Zach Whitecloud, who the Flames acquired last season from the Vegas Golden Knights. The 29-year-old has fit in swimmingly on the back end, and is on a contract through 2027-28 that pays him just $2.75 million annually.

The Flames are in no rush to move Whitecloud, though his age suggests he won’t be a part of this team by the time they are ready to become competitive. As a result, they have a chance to sell high on him, and many seem to believe that will come this season. Should that be the case, don’t be surprised to see one of these four teams land the right-shot blueliner.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks have become one of the better teams in the Pacific Division, though this offseason drastically hurt them. They were forced to pay Leo Carlsson a whopping $18 million per year, which played a part in them choosing not to re-sign a number of defencemen including John Carlson, Jacob Trouba, and Radko Gudas. They also traded Olen Zellweger, which has left their blue line quite thin.

Despite the loss of several defencemen, the Ducks are still a playoff-calibre team, albeit one with several warts. Their biggest issue is undeniably on the back end, which general manager (GM) Pat Verbeek will be looking to upgrade on. That makes Whitecloud an extremely intriguing target given that he has term and carries a low cap hit.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Even with plenty of roster overhaul this offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs could still use some help on the back end, and particularly on the right side. That need has only increased following a recent injury to Chris Tanev, who has had issues staying healthy dating back to the 2025-26 campaign.

The Maple Leafs currently have the cap space to make a move from Whitecloud, and are believed to have been interested in him as far back as last season. They also have a GM in John Chayka who has already shown that he isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on a trade, making the Maple Leafs a team to watch when it comes to a potential new home for the Flames defenceman.

Edmonton Oilers

Are the Flames going to make a move to help out their provincial rival? Certainly not. The odds of Whitecloud being traded to the Oilers may not seem high to some, but those individuals aren’t factoring in just how much pressure there is to win in Edmonton this season. In order to do that, they need help on the back end.

The Oilers currently have Ty Emberson and Shakir Mukhamadullin as their seventh and eighth defencemen. That isn’t great depth, especially late in the season and into the playoffs. An upgrade is needed, and Whitecloud would certainly provide that. It would all come down to what Edmonton is willing to offer, as the Flames would undoubtedly prefer to send him elsewhere.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Another team who is a true Stanley Cup contender that could use help on the back end is the Tampa Bay Lightning. Like many Cup contenders, they don’t have a ton of cap space to work with, which makes a player like Whitecloud extremely appealing.

This would again be a preferred destination on behalf of Flames management, as it would not only keep Whitecloud out of the division but the entire Western Conference. It would also be a great fit for Whitecloud, who could settle in to a third-pairing role behind John Carlson and Erik Cernak on the right side.

No Shortage of Suitors for Whitecloud

Whitecloud’s affordable contract, right-handed shot, and steady play should make him an attractive trade target for teams looking to bolster their blue line. The Ducks, Maple Leafs, Oilers, and Lightning all have reasons to pursue the 29-year-old, though it remains to be seen whether the Flames will ultimately decide to move him. If they do, these four teams could be among those to keep an eye on.