It's no secret that the Calgary Flames were coming into the 2026/27 season looking to secure their first top-three draft pick in franchise history, and after a 2-6-0 start, they're right on track to be in a prime position come NHL Draft Lottery time.
Right now, the Flames first round pick could be the difference maker for the future of the organization, but like last season, the team also have some very valuable assets that could net them more draft picks.
The most significant of all is Zach Whitecloud, who continues to draw immense interest around the NHL, and now, it's been revealed just what General Manager Craig Conroy wants to get out of the former Stanley Cup Champion.
Will the Flames Trade Zach Whitecloud?
This past summer, the Flames dealt Blake Coleman and made a move to acquire Simon Nemec, with many fans expecting Conroy to make some more deals. However, as we've seen in the past, the Flames GM exercised patience, knowing that when the trade deadline comes around, players like Ryan Strome, Zach Whitecloud, Morgan Frost and others could fetch a high price.
Right now, there's been no indication that a trade is coming, but with teams liking his contract and his experience as a Stanley Cup winning RHD, the interest remains.
That interest is expected to ramp up as the season goes along, and if post-season contenders suffer any injuries, it may open the door for the Flames getting a haul in return for the talented 29-year-old.
What Price Will the Flames Ask for Zach Whitecloud?
Conroy has also stated he'd be happy to keep Whitecloud, but with the potential return and the spot it would open up for Hunter Brzustewicz, a trade is the most likely outcome in this situation at this point in time. So, what could their asking price be? That was a question recently answered by NHL Insider David Pagnotta, and if he's anywhere close, the Flames would be smart to make a move in the coming months.
"I've got to imagine you're looking at an A-minus-caliber prospect, maybe a B-plus and a high draft pick, would be my guess, or some variation. Maybe it's a first-round pick and a lower prospect or, you know, whatever. But it's not a low price for Zach Whitecloud because of his capabilities and the cap hit."Pagnotta on the Flames asking price
If that is a price that another team would meet, the Flames would have dealt Whitecloud already, but with this seen as a very high asking price, it's no surprise that a trade hasn't gone through as of yet.
Given the benefits of trading Whitecloud, it's more likely than not that a deal will happen at some point, and if the Flames can even manage to pry either an A-tier prospect or a high draft pick out of a contending team, it would be another win for the Flames front office.
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