When the Flames flipped Rasmus Andersson and brought in Zach Whitecloud, the reaction wasn’t exactly a hero’s welcome. For a fanbase expecting a younger return or a splashier move, swapping one 29-year-old right-shot defenseman for another felt, at best, like treading water. But now that Whitecloud has one game in a Flames sweater under his belt, it’s time to take a breath, zoom out, and ask the real question: Should Calgary keep him or flip him again while the market’s hot?
Let’s break it down.
The Case to Trade Whitecloud
Let’s start with the obvious: trading Whitecloud might make the most sense if the Flames are truly committed to a retool or rebuild. The organization moved a veteran in Andersson, presumably to start getting younger and stockpile future assets.
So bringing back another veteran-same age, same shooting side-raises some eyebrows. Especially when the right side of the blue line is already crowded.
That’s where the logjam starts to complicate things. With young talent like Zayne Parekh needing NHL reps, Whitecloud could end up blocking development time.
And if that’s the case, it’s hard to justify keeping him around long-term. This season is about building for the future, not holding it back.
From a value standpoint, Whitecloud is also one of the more attractive trade chips on Calgary’s blue line. He’s a proven, stay-at-home defender with playoff experience-and a Stanley Cup ring to go with it. He’s under contract for two more seasons at a manageable $2.75 million cap hit, which makes him a low-risk, high-upside addition for a playoff-bound team looking to shore up its bottom four.
And there’s already interest. Reports surfaced almost immediately after the trade that teams started calling the Flames about Whitecloud.
That kind of demand doesn’t come around every day, especially for a defenseman who isn’t flashy but gets the job done. If Calgary plays this right, they could net a decent draft pick-possibly even a second-rounder-by moving him now while the market’s warm.
The Case to Keep Whitecloud
But let’s not be too quick to ship him out. Whitecloud is a solid NHL defenseman, and while some worry he might “hurt the tank,” that argument doesn’t hold much weight.
The Flames’ offensive struggles are well-documented. This isn’t a team losing 5-4 every night; they’re often stuck trying to scrape together two goals.
Adding a responsible defender like Whitecloud isn’t going to suddenly turn them into world-beaters.
There’s also the question of who else could be moved to clear space. Joel Hanley, for instance, is 34 and on an expiring deal.
Moving him would open up a roster spot without sacrificing a player who could help stabilize the room over the next couple of seasons. Brayden Pachal is another option-young, versatile, and probably good for a mid-to-late-round pick.
And let’s not forget the flexibility on the back end. MacKenzie Weegar can play both sides, which gives head coach Ryan Huska more options to balance the pairings. If Hanley were the odd man out, the Flames could run a lineup like this:
- Weegar - Brzustewicz
- Bahl - Parekh
- Kuznetsov - Whitecloud
- Extra: Pachal
That’s a pretty well-structured group. Each young defenseman gets paired with a veteran, and the minutes can be managed smartly.
Whitecloud fits nicely into that third-pair role-exactly where he’s been most effective throughout his career. He doesn’t need to carry the puck or rack up points.
His job is to keep things clean in his own zone, and he does it well.
Plus, he’s under contract for two more years beyond this one. That gives the Flames some stability on the back end while their younger players grow into bigger roles. And given Huska’s emphasis on structure and defensive accountability, Whitecloud seems like the kind of player the coaching staff would trust in tough minutes.
So, What’s Next?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. If the Flames are laser-focused on the long game, then flipping Whitecloud while his value is high could be the smart play. But if they see him as a steadying presence who can help guide a young blue line through a transitional phase, there’s value in keeping him around too.
Either way, the key is clarity. The Flames need to decide what their identity is moving forward-and make their roster decisions accordingly.
Whitecloud isn’t a flashy player, but he’s a dependable one. And in a season full of question marks, that might be exactly what Calgary needs-whether he stays or goes.