Zach Whitecloud’s name keeps surfacing in NHL trade chatter, and the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be part of that conversation.
According to David Pagnotta on an episode of DFO Insider, the Maple Leafs have already had exploratory talks around the Calgary Flames defenceman. Whitecloud is under contract in Calgary through the 2027-28 NHL season, but Pagnotta said Toronto’s interest goes back further than that.
"The previous regime had a lot of interest in Zach Whitecloud; I believe there've been at least exploratory inquiries; I believe they're one of the teams that would look at him," Pagnotta said.
Pagnotta has tied Whitecloud to Toronto before, too. On the October 7 edition of Daily Faceoff Live, he said Whitecloud fits the profile of the kind of defenseman the Maple Leafs are trying to add. He made a similar point again on the October 6 episode of Leafs Morning Take, while also cautioning that Toronto would not be alone in the hunt.
The Leafs, though, are only one piece of the picture. Another team has also reportedly shown interest in Whitecloud. On a Daily Faceoff episode last week, Anthony Di Marco said Flyers sources told him Whitecloud is the kind of blueliner Philadelphia is looking for.
"Speaking with Flyers sources last week, Zach Whitecloud’s name was brought up as an archetype for the type of defenseman the team would be looking to add"
With Whitecloud continuing to draw attention, Elliotte Friedman said it will be tough for the Flames to hold onto him because someone will eventually make an offer.
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