3 Teams Linked to 2023 Offseason Blockbuster Trades

The NHL's silly season is upon us as the buyout period has begun, the NHL Draft is around the corner and so too is free agency. All of the league's best insiders feel this summer will be busier than most due to the flat salary cap and teams trying to make impactful changes. Three teams stand out as teams to watch when it comes to the summer blockbuster trade market. They include:

Calgary Flames

The Flames are run by Craig Conroy now and he's been clear some changes are coming. Dustin Wolf is ready to step into the crease in some capacity so it's expected Conroy will gauge the market on Jakob Markstrom and Dan Vladar. There's also two other trade candidates who have been already linked to major moves and they include defensemen Noah Hanifin and Rasmus Andersson. If there's any major moves from out of western Canada this summer, look for the Flames to be leading the charge. Conroy is looking for a top-six winger in return.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Speaking of the Flames, Brad Treliving is now the general manager of the Leafs and will be busy this summer. He's already met with the majority of the roster including a meeting with Auston Matthews this week in Arizona. Matthews won't be traded, but at this point the same can't be said for William Nylander. Nylander wants to stay in Toronto and has one season left on his contract, but if he's asking for too much this summer on his next deal, Treliving may have no choice but to move him. Other trade candidates include Matt Murray, who is likely being bought out, TJ Brodie, and prospect Nick Robertson. Don't rule out the team moving their first-round pick either. Mitch Marner and John Tavares are safe for now.

Winnipeg Jets

After last summer where the Flames were the talk of the town, the Jets take the cake this offseason. Connor Hellebuyck will be moved, and so too will Pierre-Luc Dubois. Both players have informed management they don't intend to re-sign. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff better get this right as both players should seek massive assets in return. There's no need for the Jets to rebuild and they should be looking to retool on the fly. You can also add Blake Wheeler to the trade candidate list and Logan Stanley for that matter. There's no doubt the Jets will be busy, and soon.