3 Potential Landing Spots for Mark Scheifele

The Winnipeg Jets have not indicated they are actively shopping Mark Scheifele, but the uncertainty surrounding the organization has created speculation about whether another major domino could eventually fall.

Connor Hellebuyck‘s trade request has already put Winnipeg’s direction under scrutiny. Scheifele, meanwhile, is coming off a career-best 103-point season and carries an $8.5 million cap hit through 2030-31. Most importantly, he has a full no-movement clause for 2026-27, meaning any trade would require his approval. His protection changes to a modified no-trade clause beginning next season.

If Winnipeg ever entertained offers, the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild stand out as three intriguing destinations.

Montreal Canadiens

Montreal might be the most realistic of the three.

Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos recently reported that the Canadiens are among the teams that have asked about Scheifele, identifying him as a potential complement to Nick Suzuki. Kypreos also suggested names such as Michael Hage, Oliver Kapanen and Kirby Dach could factor into the price.

A package built around Hage, Dach and a first-round pick would at least give Winnipeg something substantial to consider. Hage would provide the Jets with a premium young centre prospect, while Dach could immediately enter their NHL lineup. Montreal also owns its first-round selections in the coming years, giving general manager Kent Hughes flexibility. Salary would have to be addressed. Montreal currently doesn’t have enough room to simply absorb Scheifele’s $8.5 million cap hit, making Dach or another contract going the other direction particularly important.

Would Scheifele waive? Likelihood: High.

There’s no reporting indicating he has approved Montreal, but the Canadiens are an ascending team with a talented young core. Montreal could offer Scheifele a prominent offensive role without asking him to carry the entire load down the middle.

Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton is arguably the most fascinating hockey fit, although constructing the trade would be difficult. Scheifele shoots right, something that would immediately address Edmonton’s search for another right-shot centre. An Oilers lineup featuring Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Scheifele would also give Edmonton an almost unmatched collection of offensive talent down the middle.

The problem is both assets and money. Edmonton has very little cap flexibility, so the Oilers would need to send significant salary back or involve another team. Winnipeg would also presumably want young talent rather than simply taking Edmonton’s unwanted contracts.

A theoretical offer could revolve around Matt Savoie, a first-round pick and another young asset, with additional pieces involved to make the money work. Savoie would be particularly interesting considering his age, offensive upside and Winnipeg roots.

Would Scheifele waive? Likelihood: High.

That’s speculative, but Edmonton could offer something Montreal and Minnesota cannot: an immediate opportunity to play alongside McDavid and Draisaitl on a team built to win the Stanley Cup now. For a 33-year-old Scheifele, that could be extremely difficult to turn down.

Minnesota Wild

Minnesota makes plenty of sense from the Wild’s perspective. From Winnipeg’s perspective, it’s more complicated. The Wild have been searching for another high-end centre, and adding Scheifele would allow Joel Eriksson Ek to settle into a more natural matchup role. Minnesota was previously identified as needing a top-two centre, and Scheifele would unquestionably satisfy that requirement.

A potential package could feature Jesper Wallstedt, a first-round pick and another young asset or prospect. Wallstedt would become especially intriguing when Winnipeg ultimately moves Hellebuyck and wants a young goaltender capable of becoming part of its next core. Minnesota would likely have to pay a premium because Winnipeg would be sending Scheifele to a Central Division rival.

Would Scheifele waive? Likelihood: Moderate.

Minnesota has legitimate star power with Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes and Matt Boldy and entered this season with significant playoff expectations. However, if Scheifele were given multiple destinations to choose from, Edmonton’s championship window or Montreal’s long-term upside could be more appealing.

Ultimately, Scheifele controls the process. There is currently no indication he has requested a trade, and Winnipeg would have little reason to move a 100-point centre unless its competitive direction changes dramatically. But if the Hellebuyck situation becomes the beginning of a larger reset, Scheifele could quickly become one of the biggest names on the NHL trade market.

Next: Oilers Linked to Eastern Conference Trade for Young Center, Says Insider