The Maple Leafs are attempting to acquire Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud, according to a loud whisper reported by Howard Berger.
Berger described him as a 6-foot-2, 210-pound right shot and said Toronto probably wouldn't need to give up a ton.
David Pagnotta had already reported exploratory inquiries from Toronto earlier this week.
At that price, it's a reasonable depth swing. It just can't be the only move, because he isn't the difference maker this blue line needs.
It's like grabbing a reliable spare part from a store holding a going-out-of-business sale.
Whitecloud has no points and a -5 rating on a $2,750,000 cap hit.
Calgary sits last in the league at 1-6-0 and hosts Carolina tonight at home.
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Zach Whitecloud trade could help Maple Leafs without solving their biggest problem
The Leafs have allowed 32 goals in nine games, and they sit 24th in the league.
Morgan Rielly sits at -6 on a $7,500,000 cap hit.
Darren Raddysh is at -3 on an $8,500,000 cap hit, the biggest on the blue line.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe have yet to record a point.
Elliotte Friedman said the Leafs would only move prime assets for a difference maker on the back end, or get younger by moving an older defenseman.
Toronto has also held loose talks about Simon Edvinsson and Alexander Nikishin, according to The Fourth Period.
The Leafs have lost three straight after Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Islanders.
Chris Tanev remains sidelined with an upper-body injury.
Craig Conroy has every reason to listen, with his team giving up 5.0 goals a game.
Calgary's Zayne Parekh sits at -10, so the Flames' problems go well beyond one defenseman.
At 29, Whitecloud would still be younger than every regular on Toronto's blue line.
Is he a real fix, or just a stopgap until a bigger name shakes loose?
Toronto hosts San Jose on Monday and visits Columbus on Tuesday.
A loud whisper usually means somebody is close. The only question is whether it's enough to steady Toronto's back end.
Should the Maple Leafs trade for Zach Whitecloud?
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