The Jets, Flames, Leafs are the top teams to watch during NHL offseason

We have officially entered offseason mode in the National Hockey League. With the Winnipeg Jets set to become the watchdog among NHL insiders this offseason as they potentially make franchise-altering moves, Daily Faceoff President Frank Seravalli also lists the Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs as two other franchises to keep an eye on this summer as they embark on new beginnings under new regimes.

As the new tandem in Columbus has already paved the ground for trades early on, it won’t be long before other teams get themselves into the fold and begin making their own trades and roster moves to prepare for next season’s quest for Lord Stanley.

Tyler Yaremchuk: I’ll put you on the spot with this one. We know the buyout window is the next key date here in the off-season, but is there one key story or team you’re watching with a raised eyebrow to make that first big splash?

Frank Seravalli: Yeah, I think everyone is curious about what’s happening in Winnipeg. I still think there’s a greater than 50% chance that all four of the key pieces they have in Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Wheeler, and Dubois could all be playing somewhere else by October. 

Frank Seravalli: The Calgary Flames and the key questions they have surrounding their pending unrestricted free agents that end one year from now. 

Frank Seravalli: Then, for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the pressure that they ramp up to try and get Auston Matthews signed by July 1 when his no-trade clause kicks in. How does that all play out? Those are just three Canadian teams that I think you look at and go, “Wow, there’s a lot that can potentially happen there,” in addition to some of the new faces we see around the league like the Mike Babcock and Jarmo Kekalainen tandem has already significantly added to that Blue Jackets team as well.

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