Winnipeg Jets' Nikolaj Ehlers hot commodity as NHL free agency day looms
The clock is ticking and decision day is looming for pending unrestricted free agent Nikolaj Ehlers.
The speculation surrounding the future of the Winnipeg Jets dynamic winger has been virtually non-stop on social media since the season ended and it won't take that much longer before we figure out if Ehlers is going to stay or if he's going to go.
Should he get to market, Ehlers is going to be one of the most highly sought-after players available on July 1 and a strong playoff — after returning from an unlucky lower-body injury — only enhanced his value.
PAUL VERNON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers is an unrestricted free agent and will be one of the most highly sought-after players if he makes it to market on July 1, the NHL's free agency day.
PAUL VERNON / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers is an unrestricted free agent and will be one of the most highly sought-after players if he makes it to market on July 1, the NHL's free agency day.
Because he went directly to suit up for Denmark in the 2025 IIHF men's hockey championship, Ehlers hasn't shed much light on how he's viewing his first crack at unrestricted free agency.
But in all likelihood, Ehlers probably wasn't going to leave many bread crumbs after his exit interview was complete either.
In the world of negotiations — especially when you don't want them to occur publicly — some things are better left unsaid.
Here are six teams that could/should pursue Nikolaj Ehlers if he makes it to free agency on July 1:
Here are six teams that could/should pursue Nikolaj Ehlers if he makes it to free agency on July 1:
Carolina Hurricanes:
They're a perennial playoff team that hasn't scored enough when it's mattered most. Yes, they'll be in on the Mitch Marner sweepstakes, but Ehlers could be the type of dynamic forward that would mesh well with top-line centre Sebastian Aho. With more than US$26 million of cap space available, dollar and term won't be a concern here.
Toronto Maple Leafs:
When general manager Brad Treliving mentioned changing the DNA at his year-end press conference, it's easy to envision Ehlers being a target along with the likes of Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers. By delivering the best post-season of his NHL career, adding Ehlers could make up for some of the offence lost with Marner expected to depart as a free agent.
Montreal Canadiens:
Since Ehlers was a star in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Halifax Mooseheads, he often draws a crowd with the media during trips to la belle province. He's also the type of electrifying player with experience that could help the Canadiens as they look to take the next step in their development path. Reuniting with his close friend Patrik Laine (who has one more season left on his contract) would be a bonus.
Columbus Blue Jackets:
Another team on the rise, adding someone as explosive as Ehlers to a forward group could help push the Blue Jackets to a playoff berth after finishing one point shy this season. Top-line centre Sean Monahan is someone Ehlers showed good chemistry with after he was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens. They've got more than US$40 million in cap space available, so they could make a significant offer.
Utah Mammoth:
Speaking of significant offers, the team formerly known as Utah HC is set to make a splash — whether that's another big trade at the NHL draft at the end of the month and/or in free agency — and Ehlers is the kind of player that would bring star power and immediately be a fan favourite. Utah wants to be a playoff team next season and Ehlers could help them achieve that goal.
Vancouver Canucks:
There's still a segment of the Canucks fan base that can't believe Vancouver chose Jake Virtanen sixth overall in 2014 instead of Ehlers (who went ninth to the Jets). With the expected departure of Brock Boeser in free agency, the Canucks need help on the wings and his skating ability could pair well with Elias Pettersson. With just over US$12 million in cap space available, a corresponding move might have to be made, especially since the Canucks are likely going to need a second-line centre if they don't re-up Pius Suter.
While he's spoken openly about loving his time in Winnipeg, Ehlers has kept his priorities for free agency close to the vest over the course of the last season and that's why the level of intrigue regarding his future is only on the rise.
You can be sure that playing for a team with a chance to win ranks high for Ehlers, who was named as one of Denmark's first six players for the 2026 men's Olympic team on Monday.
Nino Niederreiter, chosen by Switzerland, was the other Jets player to receive that honour.
The two-hour meeting with agent Andre Rufener that Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff referenced was obviously a good sign, but you can't ignore the fact that Winnipeg remains the only team that can negotiate with Ehlers' camp until free agency officially opens.
The point remains the same: you don't spend two hours chatting at this point of the proceedings unless you're genuinely considering sticking around.
However, when you're two weeks away from having 31 other teams make their best pitch, it's easy to understand why you would at least listen to what else is out there.
The projections on Ehlers' next contract remain somewhere between US$8 million and slightly north of US$9 million on a deal that's going to be at least six years long.
As an eight-time 20-goal scorer, Ehlers is someone that all teams looking for scoring will have on their wish list.
Barring a sign and trade (which is unlikely), the Jets are the only team that can offer that eighth year and we'll see if that bonus year could be one of the reasons Ehlers decides to remain in the organization.
Should the Jets get to the point where they offer Ehlers eight years for somewhere around US$8.5 million, it would be nearly impossible for any other team to meet or exceed the total amount of the contract.
After turning 29 in February, this is going to be the biggest ticket Ehlers signs and he's guaranteed to be getting a raise from the US$6 million he made on the seven-year deal that's set to expire.
As an eight-time 20-goal scorer, Ehlers is someone that all teams looking for scoring will have on their wish list.
That he's yet to hit 30 goals or exceed 64 points in a single season is surprising when you consider his skill, will and ability.
Yet, that probably has more to do with the injuries he's dealt with and that he's only truly had one season of regular time with the top power-play unit (last season) as he moved to the pop position in the slot.
Ehlers attacked that promotion with vigour and connected for six power-play goals and 16 assists for 22 points with the man advantage.
No matter how things get resolved, Ehlers is someone that was incredibly productive and accountable.
As a point of reference, Ehlers had no goals and seven helpers on the power play the previous season.
Knowing Jets head coach Scott Arniel has that role in mind for him is surely something Ehlers would see as a positive and while there isn't a clear path to top-line minutes alongside Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor, the Danish forward is likely in line for a bump in ice time — whether that's in Winnipeg or somewhere else.
There are going to be teams that could offer a higher AAV (average annual value) or entice him with chatter of moving to the top line while remaining on the top power-play unit.
That might end up being the deciding factor, only Ehlers knows for sure.
No matter how things get resolved, Ehlers is someone that was incredibly productive and accountable.
FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets' Nikolaj Ehlers (left) had the pivotal dying-seconds pass that set up teammate Cole Perfetti's 'Manitoba Miracle' Game 7 equalizer against the St. Louis Blues in May.
FRED GREENSLADE / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Jets' Nikolaj Ehlers (left) had the pivotal dying-seconds pass that set up teammate Cole Perfetti's 'Manitoba Miracle' Game 7 equalizer against the St. Louis Blues in May.
He plays the game with unbridled passion and when you couple that with his explosiveness and ability to provide highlight-reel moments, Ehlers quickly became a fan favourite.
The ninth overall pick in the 2014 NHL draft made the team as a 19-year-old and matured both on and off the ice during the past decade.
The one narrative he wanted to erase was the one that involved his uneven playoff performance and that mission was accomplished this spring.
Although Ehlers would have gladly sacrificed a few goals or points for an opportunity to move onto the third round and beyond, his ability to deliver five goals and seven points in eight games after returning from injury was another example of why he'll be in demand on July 1.
If Ehlers ultimately decides to move on, the asset management crowd will turn up the volume on the belief that the Jets should have traded him before the deadline to not 'lose him for nothing.'
What happens with Ehlers over the course of the next two weeks is one of the decisions that is going to shape how the off-season goes for Cheveldayoff and the Jets.
When you're leading the NHL (and ultimately win the Presidents' Trophy as the top team during the regular season), you don't trade one of your most impactful players — unless the return includes someone along the lines of Mikko Rantanen, who was moved twice in blockbuster deals before the deadline in March.
There's no question that hanging onto Ehlers was the right decision, even if the Jets ended up 10 wins shy of the 16 required to capture the Stanley Cup.
What happens with Ehlers over the course of the next two weeks is one of the decisions that is going to shape how the off-season goes for Cheveldayoff and the Jets.
If the Jets can't convince Ehlers to stick around, finding a reasonable facsimile — as difficult as that may be — will be a top priority for a team that is already going to be looking for some subtle upgrades for them to ensure they remain a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca
X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld
Ken WiebeReporter
Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, Sportsnet.ca and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken.
Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
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