What happened: Montreal has had a relatively quiet summer addressing its roster but continues seeking depth for the right side of its defensive group before training camp. With Calgary undergoing a rebuild, Zach Whitecloud has surfaced as a primary target for the organization to evaluate. If acquired, the defenseman would project to log minutes on either the second or third pairing while slotting directly onto the penalty kill.

Why it matters: Because his contract runs through the 2027-28 campaign at an annual cap hit of $2.75 million, Whitecloud would provide Montreal with cost stability rather than serving as a short-term rental. That budget-friendly structure makes him an efficient asset for a club seeking reliable penalty-killing and defensive-zone coverage without committing high-dollar free-agent capital.

What to watch: Watch whether Calgary formally makes Whitecloud available for a trade as the organization accumulates draft capital and young assets during its rebuild. Montreal could move to finalize a deal before training camp if right-side blueline alternatives remain scarce.