The Toronto Maple Leafs have had an up-and-down 2025-26 season. At the time of this writing, they sport a 24-18-9 record and are seventh in the Atlantic Division standings. This is after they finished last season at the top of the Atlantic with a 52-26-4 record and 108 points.
While the Maple Leafs have undoubtedly had their rough moments this season, their playoff hopes are certainly not gone. The Maple Leafs are currently just five points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, so they are still in the playoff race.
However, with the Maple Leafs having their struggles at times and looking to jump up the standings, it would be wise for them to try to add to their roster through the trade market. One of their biggest needs is a steady right-shot defenseman.
When looking at trade candidates around the NHL that could be good fits for the Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud stands out. While Whitecloud was recently acquired by the Flames from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Rasmus Andersson trade, his name been floating around the rumor mill since.
Due to this, we here at Heavy Sports have a trade pitch that would have the Maple Leafs acquire Whitecloud from the Flames.
Maple Leafs Get:
- Zach Whitecloud
Flames Get:
- 2028 Second-Round Pick
- 2027 Fourth-Round Pick
- Calle Jarnkrok
Maple Leafs Looking to Add Right-Shot Defenseman
During a recent episode of TSN Early Trading, NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that the Maple Leafs are currently looking to improve the right side of their blueline.
“Well, there still looking for a right-shot defenseman,” Johnston said about the Maple Leafs. “With Chris Tanev sidelined, that remains, I think, the top priority for the team is trying to find ways to augment the group on the backend.”
Hearing that the Maple Leafs want to add another right-shot defenseman is understandable. There is no question that they are missing Tanev right now, as Johnston noted, and bringing in a steady defenseman like Whitecloud could give their blueline a nice boost because of it.
If the Maple Leafs acquired Whitecloud from the Flames, he could be a strong fit on their bottom pairing. However, he could also move up to the Maple Leafs’ top four and work on their penalty kill if acquired.
Whitecloud would also be more than a rental for the Maple Leafs. This is because he is in the fourth season of his six-year, $16.5 millon contract. This undoubtedly adds to his appeal, as he would help Toronto’s blueline out beyond this season. However, him having multiple years left also adds to his trade value.
Multiple Teams Are Looking to Acquire Whitecloud From Flames
If the Maple Leafs do end up making a push for Whitecloud, they would have competition for his services. According to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, multiple clubs have already been targeting Whitecloud since the Flames acquired him from Vegas.
“Soon after word spread that the Flames moved Andersson, several teams reached out to Calgary GM Craig Conroy about defenceman Zach Whitecloud, whom he acquired from the Knights and has two years left on his deal at a very appealing $2.75 million cap hit,” Pagnotta wrote.
It ultimately makes sense that teams are expressing interest in Whitecloud, as he is a solid defensive defenseman with a good contract and a Stanley Cup on his resume. With the Maple Leafs looking for a right-shot defenseman, they would be wise to kick tires on Whitecloud.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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