The Winnipeg Jets have been in decline since they reached the 2018 Western Conference Finals. After struggling over the second half of this season and suffering a first-round elimination by the Vegas Golden Knights, they've won just one playoff series over the past five campaigns.

Management faces serious decisions this offseason involving several core players. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and forwards Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele are eligible to become unrestricted free agents at the end of next season.

Scheifele, 30, was the subject of trade rumors at the end of last season after raising questions about the club's direction and what was best for his career. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff subsequently met with the center, and they seemed to smooth over the issue.

Since the Jets' early exit from this postseason, however, Scheifele's future has once again become the subject of speculation in Winnipeg. Sportsnet's Ken Wiebe suggested Scheifele and several of the others eligible for UFA status next summer could be playing elsewhere next year.

Scheifele would have considerable value in this summer's trade market after tallying a career-best 42 goals in 81 games this season. He carries a $6.1 million cap hit through 2023-24 and a 10-team no-trade clause.

Clubs seeking a scoring center could be interested in acquiring Scheifele for the coming season or perhaps to ink him to a contract extension. Here are five potential trade destinations for the Jets center based on factors such as cap space and roster need.

Obstacles to a Trade

Twenty-two NHL teams finished this season with less than $1 million in salary-cap space. Should the cap only rise by a projected $1 million to $83.5 million for 2023-24, many of those clubs could lack the space to make significant offseason acquisitions via the trade market.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff could encounter that situation this summer if he attempts to trade Scheifele. His $6.1 million cap hit will be difficult to move unless the Jets are willing to retain a portion of it up to the mandated 50 percent. The center's 10-team no-trade clause could further complicate things.

Cheveldayoff tends to be cautious when it comes to making trades. He could be reluctant to rebuild by shopping Scheifele for draft picks and prospects. If he can't find a deal that fetches a player in return, he could stick with Scheifele and focus on improving the roster depth around him.

That still comes with the risk of losing Scheifele next summer to the free-agent market. However, if the Jets are out of playoff contention leading up to the trade deadline, Cheveldayoff could peddle Scheifele for a return that would help them begin to rebuild.

That wouldn't be the ideal situation for Cheveldayoff or Scheifele, as questions over the latter's future could become an unwelcome distraction next season. Nevertheless, it could become a reality if the salary cap remains flattened for 2023-24.

Calgary Flames

During the Calgary Flames' end-of-season press conference, center Elias Lindholm was noncommittal regarding his future in the Stampede City. He's slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and seemed frustrated with the Flames' lack of progress in recent years.

The team's priority is finding a suitable replacement for former general manager Brad Treliving, who mutually parted ways with the organization at the end of the regular season. Perhaps his replacement will consider shaking things by pursuing a trade for Scheifele.

With just $1.3 million in projected cap space for 2023-24 and 18 roster players under contract, the Flames could look at dollar-in, dollar-out trades. Perhaps they'll consider a cost-cutting deal or two to make room for another player.

One option could be offering Lindholm for Scheifele straight-up, with the Jets retaining a portion of the latter's salary. It wouldn't be the first time the Flames have swung a blockbuster move, having done so last summer by shipping Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar.

The Flames and Jets could be reluctant to rebuild their rosters. Swapping Scheifele for Lindholm could be worth considering if both clubs prefer to retool on the fly.

Carolina Hurricanes

Depth at center has been an issue for the Carolina Hurricanes. They've been using young Jesperi Kotkaniemi as their second-line pivot. Captain Jordan Staal could depart as a free agent, though if he returns, it could be in a third- or fourth-line role.

The Hurricanes could stick with Kotkaniemi centering the second line in the hope that he will grow more comfortable and flourish in that role while anticipating Staal would return as their third-line center. However, the potential availability of Scheifele could prove a tempting trade target for Carolina general manager Don Waddell.

Scheifele would bring experience and scoring skills to the Hurricanes' second-line center position. He could provide a boost to winger Teuvo Teräväinen's flagging production. They could also use Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas or Andrei Svechnikov as his linemates, giving them a more balanced offensive punch.

With $24.6 million in projected cap space and 17 roster players under contract for 2023-24, the Hurricanes have the room to absorb Scheifele's $6.1 million cap hit for next season. That includes re-signing Staal and bringing back Frederik Andersen or Antti Raanta to share the goaltending duties with young Pyotr Kochetkov.

The Hurricanes should be contenders for the next several seasons. They can afford to part with their first-round pick in this year's draft as trade bait for Scheifele, as it's going to be nearer the bottom of that round. If they prefer to retain it, they could offer Kotkaniemi or perhaps prospect Jack Drury bundled with a lower draft pick or a prospect.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen isn't afraid to make a big move in his efforts to turn his club into a playoff contender. His most recent included signing Johnny Gaudreau last summer and shipping Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Jets in January 2021 for Patrik Laine.

A lack of skilled depth at center continues to plague the Blue Jackets. They possess promising youngsters such as Kent Johnson and Cole Sillinger in their lineup as well as prospect Luca Del Bel Belluz and Dmitri Voronkov in their prospect pipeline.

However, those players aren't ready to take on the first-line center role. Scheifele could help them fill that position via a long-term contract extension or perhaps just for next season to buy time for those youngsters to develop.

Scheifele centering Gaudreau and Laine would give the Jackets a powerful top line. They could also have the option of playing one of those wingers with Scheifele and dropping the other to the second line to spread around their production. Either way, he could provide a welcome boost to their offense and accelerate their rebuilding process.

The Jackets have $17.9 million in projected cap space, with 16 roster players under contract for 2023-24. They could free money and space at center by trading Jack Roslovic and his $4 million cap hit. Kekalainen can use his depth in draft picks and prospects to make a competitive bid and benefit from a rising salary cap in 2024-25 to re-sign Scheifele if things work out.

Detroit Red Wings

During his end-of-season interview with the Winnipeg media, Scheifele mentioned his favorite player growing up was former Detroit Red Wings captain and current general manager Steve Yzerman. Perhaps Yzerman could deepen that connection by looking to add the Jets center.

Despite showing improvement this season, the rebuilding Red Wings tied a franchise record by missing the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. To avoid making it eight straight, Yzerman needs to make moves this summer to address his rebuilding roster.

A lack of skilled depth at center beyond captain Dylan Larkin played a significant part in the Red Wings' failure to reach the 2023 postseason. They could use someone with Scheifele's offensive abilities on their first or second line to provide much-needed experience and scoring punch.

Scheifele grew up roughly three hours from Detroit in Kitchener, Ontario. An opportunity to play for a team with a bright future like the Red Wings, who are run by his childhood hero close to his hometown, could be enticing.

The Red Wings have a projected $30.6 million in cap space for 2023-24 with 15 roster players under contract. They can afford Scheifele's cap hit for next season and should have enough to sign him to an extension, assuming things work out. They also possess depth in draft picks and promising prospects to tempt the Jets.

Stats via NHL.com and Hockey Reference. Salary info and line combinations via CapFriendly.