The Toronto Maple Leafs face a pivotal offseason, boasting $25.7 million in cap space as they seek to reshape their roster following another second-round playoff exit. A key focus will be strengthening their center position, an area of need highlighted during last season's trade deadline. Veteran John Tavares, entering unrestricted free agency, is expected to return, albeit likely as a third-line option rather than a top-six forward.

General Manager Brad Treliving has emphasized the necessity for a significant change in team identity. Analyst Jonas Siegel of The Athletic suggests considering a trade for Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri, a player with previous ties to the Leafs. Kadri's strong playoff performance and scoring ability may provide the Leafs with the depth they need, although his $7 million cap hit poses potential complications.

The Calgary Flames are actively seeking to bolster their center depth as they prepare for the upcoming season. With Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund firmly positioned in their 30s, the organizational strategy may involve promoting Connor Zary, a young talent who has been playing on the wing but could transition to center. Recent discussions mentioned Morgan Frost, a pending RFA who underperformed after his acquisition from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flames might offer him a deal based on his potential, especially considering their need for centers. Additionally, the Flames have set their sights on drafting prospects like Jack Nesbitt and Cole Reschny to enhance their center options.

In other news, the Ottawa Senators are working on retaining Claude Giroux, who is keen to stay with the team. Informal discussions have taken place regarding a potential short-term deal, possibly in the $3 to $4 million range, drawing comparisons to Joe Pavelski's contract. The Senators' focus is also on signing RFAs like Fabian Zetterlund while considering high-impact forwards via trade or free agency.

In a heated exchange, Nazem Kadri, now with the Calgary Flames, took a jab at his former team, the Colorado Avalanche, following Mikko Rantanen's stellar Game 3 performance for the Dallas Stars against the Winnipeg Jets. Kadri's tweet referenced 'keeping the dawgs,' which the Stars responded to with a dog emoji, igniting speculation about the rivalry. Rantanen, having moved from the Avalanche to the Stars, is proving his worth with an impressive 18 points in the playoffs, leading all players. This performance comes after Colorado's decision not to match the Stars' lucrative extension offer, leading Rantanen to express his desire to compete against the Avalanche.

The playoff series is intensifying, with Dallas currently leading 2-1 in the second round. Rantanen's determination to outshine his former team is palpable, as he openly stated a desire to 'jam it down Colorado’s throat' in hopes of facing them in the playoffs. The tension between the players and teams highlights the fierce nature of playoff hockey, as teams battle not just for victories but for personal and professional vindication.

The Calgary Flames are no longer considering trades for Nazem Kadri, as he played a pivotal role in their recent resurgence, contributing significantly to their performance last season. After a rebuild that saw the departure of notable players, the Flames finished with 96 points but missed the playoffs. Kadri, alongside Jonathan Huberdeau and rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, has been crucial to the team's competitive edge.

With Kadri expressing his love for Calgary and the organization, it seems the Flames view him as a cornerstone for their plans moving forward, especially as they eye potential playoff contention. Meanwhile, discussions surrounding Rasmus Andersson's contract extension are ongoing, with the Flames hoping to secure him for the long term, despite potential trade rumors looming as the draft approaches.

The Calgary Flames closed out the regular season with a decisive 5-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings, marking a strong finish highlighted by the NHL debuts of Sam Morton and Zayne Parekh. Nazem Kadri stood out with two goals, while Taylor Ward also scored for the Kings, who ended a four-game winning streak. Los Angeles remains playoff-bound, facing the Edmonton Oilers in the first round with home-ice advantage for the first time in their series history.

Calgary took control in the third period, scoring four goals in just over five minutes, starting with Morton’s goal from a Ryan Lomberg pass. Parekh, the ninth overall pick from last summer's draft, scored shortly after with a deft redirection. David Rittich made 24 saves for the Kings, who matched franchise records from previous successful seasons but failed to set new ones this year.