Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The Calgary Flames have made a very interesting decision from the Montreal Canadiens’ perspective on the NHL trade market.
The Flames have reportedly made Zach Whitecloud available for trade, and he has already been linked to the Canadiens.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period and Karine Hains of The Hockey News, Calgary is fully embracing its rebuild and is looking to move a few pieces.
Two names stand out: center Morgan Frost and right-shot defenseman Zach Whitecloud.
Both players address specific needs in Montreal.
Frost recorded 43 points in 82 games last season while serving as one of the Flames’ top centers.
The 27th overall pick by the Flyers in 2017 has never truly lived up to expectations. His career high remains 46 points in 81 games during the 2022-23 season.
For the Canadiens, who are patiently waiting for Michael Hage, Frost could serve as a temporary solution.
He has one year remaining on his contract at $4.375 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Zach Whitecloud could significantly improve the Montreal Canadiens’ blue line
At 29 years old, the right-shot defenseman has two years remaining on his contract with a $2.75 million cap hit.
That is strong value for a defenseman who is highly effective in his own zone.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound blueliner plays a pure shutdown style.
He has never recorded more than 19 points in a season, but he delivers plenty of hits, blocks shots in bunches and consistently disrupts opposing plays.
Last season, split between Calgary and Vegas, he registered 124 hits and blocked 140 shots.
He also won the Stanley Cup with Vegas in 2022-23. During that playoff run, he posted a +14 rating while recording eight points in 22 games.
Whitecloud would give Kent Hughes the type of right-shot defenseman Montreal has been searching for, while adding a reliable defensive presence to the blue line.
His arrival would also give Martin St-Louis more flexibility with his defensive pairings while allowing David Reinbacher another year to continue refining his game in Laval.
Do you like Whitecloud as a trade target for the Canadiens?
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
POLL
11 HOURS AGO|183 ANSWERS
The Flames have reportedly made two players available who could fit perfectly in Montreal
Would Zach Whitecloud be a fit in Montreal?