Remember Zach Whitecloud? Well, obviously, you do because he was on the Vegas Golden Knights to start the season. The Stanley Cup-winning defenseman has developed a reputation as one of the most reliable back-end defenders for the team. After all, the Rasmus Andersson trade didn't happen last season.
Sure, he might've kept himself off the score sheet offensively. But there was a good reason that numerous teams like the Boston Bruins inquired about the Bemidji State alum's services. It seems like the trend of offensively-minded defenseman is a bit... overrated.
The Golden Knights haven't seen much from their new guy, Rasmus Andersson. The Swedish Olympian has a goal and five assists in 15 games entering Tuesday's contest against the Dallas Stars. Make what you will of it, whether that's being away from your family or being in a new country. The point is that the newest Golden Knight hasn't been as good as advertised.
But what about the former Golden Knight? How has the Stanley Cup winner done in the other Alberta city? Has he thrived and given a young Calgary Flames team a boost? Let's check in on an old friend and say hello in his old abode!
How has Zach Whitecloud done with the Calgary Flames since being traded from the Vegas Golden Knights?
Whitecloud has actually done well with the Flames. He has 0.8 defensive point shares and even added four assists in 14 games. The assists category is rather surprising when you consider that he hasn't produced much for the Golden Knights here. The 29-year-old had some offensive spurts (i.e. his 2021-22 season where he scored eight goals and 11 assists).
But his defensive game has been a welcome addition for Calgary. Here, he has 25 hits and 28 blocked shots, making him a key stay-at-home defender. It's no wonder that he had numerous suitors before the trade deadline!
Unfortunately, that's where the good news ends. Whitecloud recently exited a game against the Carolina Hurricanes with an upper-body injury. A nasty collision with Nikolai Ehlers did him in, taking him out of the game. He's labeled as day-to-day, putting the Flames in a peculiar position.
Still, Whitecloud's Calgary tenure has proven to be successful so far. Any time you can get veteran leadership on a middling team, that helps immensely. Expect the former Golden Knights defenseman to get the Captain designation at some point in his career.
Could the Golden Knights eventually see a reunion with Whitecloud?
Whitecloud's current deal runs through 2028 and he shouldn't have a hefty price tag afterwards. His current $2.75 million cap hit looks much friendlier for a big-spending team like Vegas, which can fit him in at a friendlier price once he's a free agent. However, there's a catch with this.
The Golden Knights haven't been known for reuniting with players that they previously let go. One of the exceptions came in the form of Reilly Smith, who was acquired last season from the New York Rangers. However, Kelly McCrimmon isn't one to go with older players unless they serve a specific purpose.
Still, it'd be nice to see a player with high character like Whitecloud return to the mix in the future. He's proven himself to be a valuable guy regarding the locker room and providing ample leadership. After all, you can never truly say good-bye to the ones you love.