Nikolaj Ehlers has played his entire National Hockey League career with the Winnipeg Jets, but that chapter could be coming to an end. With one year left on his deal, and set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025, the speedy Danish forward is reportedly not planning to re-sign with the franchise, according to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta.
“The 28-year-old Dane is set to earn $6.75 million in actual salary in 2024-25, though his cap hit is $6 million. He owns a 10-team no-trade list and word out of Winnipeg is that while he has not requested a trade, he would welcome a move,” Pagnotta reported on Wednesday.
The hockey insider added: “According to a well-placed source close to the Jets, Ehlers is not interested in signing a contract extension with the club and that is primarily why Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is exploring his options via the trade market. It is unclear if Ehlers would entertain a contract extension – which he would not be eligible to sign until July 1, at the earliest – with a new team as part of a change of scenery but doing so would allow the Jets to maximize a return.”
If Pagnotta's reporting is true, it would certainly be wise for Cheveldayoff to try and trade Ehlers, rather than have him walk for nothing in free agency. And for the player, a change of scenery might make sense despite a solid 2023-24 campaign.
Excellent regular-season came crashing down for Jets, Ehlers in playoffs
The Jets were terrific in the 2023-24 regular-season, winning 52 games and finishing just four points back of the President's Trophy-winning New York Rangers. But, as has been the norm in the playoffs as of late, Winnipeg lost in the first-round to the Colorado Avalanche, who were then defeated by the Central Division champion Dallas Stars.
After a phenomenal 82-game campaign, it was an extremely disappointing result in Manitoba, especially as the team entered Round 1 on an eight-game winning streak. It's now been four seasons since a second-round appearance for the franchise.
Ehlers scored 25 goals for the fifth time in his career in 2023-24, and added 36 assists over a full 82-game slate. But he struggled in the playoffs, producing just two assists in a five-game loss to the Avs.
If the former No. 9 overall pick is made available, there certainly won't be a lack of suitors. Pagnotta assumes that each of the following teams will be interested: New York Islanders, Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, Seattle Kraken, New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets.
With Tyler Toffoli also expected to test free agency, the Jets could be losing two proven NHL scorers this offseason. Cheveldayoff is hoping to sign a top-four defenseman in free agency, per Pagnotta, and should look to add another forward to potentially replace the two.
It will be intriguing to see if Ehlers is still a member of the only hockey club he's ever known come training camp.
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