NHL Trade Rumors: Winnipeg Jets set to trade $42,000,000 star winger 

By Arnab Mondal

Modified May 08, 2024 08:30 GMT

After a disappointing exit from the Stanley Cu͏p pl͏ayoffs and the ͏retirement of their coach, the Winnipeg Jets are reportedly gea͏ring up for significant change͏s.

Las͏t ye͏ar they got rid of Bl͏ake Wh͏eeler and traded͏ Pierre-Luc Du͏b͏ois, while this year, winger Nikolaj Ehlers is rumored to be on the trading block, according to The Athletic.

After being selected No. 9 in the 2014 ͏draft, Eh͏ler͏s has been a cornerst͏one of the Jets franchise, having scored 201 goals͏ in 6͏05 games. He recorded 61 points through 25 goals and 36 assists in the 2023-24 season. However, he had a poor playoff showing this year, ͏going five games without a goal.

Ehlers signed a substantial seven-year, $42,000,000 contract with the Jets on October ͏4, ͏2017, with an annual cap h͏it o͏f $6,000,000.

Navigating Winnipeg Jets' offseason crossroads

Nikolaj Ehlers’ contract saga looms large in what promises to be a pivotal offseason for the Winnipeg Jets. However, it's just one of the multiple agendas facing the team's front office. The status of 22-year-old restricted free agent (RFA) Cole Perfetti adds a layer of complexity to the offseason puzzle.

Yet, perhaps the most pressing issue lies in the handling of the team's notable unrestricted free agents (UFAs). Brenden Dillon, Dylan DeMelo, Tyler Toffoli, Sean Monahan, and Laurent Brossoit all represent critical pieces of the Jets' roster, with varying implications for the team's future.

DeMelo, expressing a desire for a longer-term deal, emphasized his comfort and confidence in Winnipeg:

“I can definitely see myself staying here...I’ve really loved my time here. The guys in this room are guys I want to play with and want to win with,” he said, according to The Hockey Writers.

Monahan, acknowledging the Winnipeg Jets' aspirations for success, hinted at his interest in staying:

“The biggest thing for me is I want to give myself a chance to win and this is a spot that definitely wants to win and has the makings of doing that.”

The impending decisions regarding Ehlers’ contract will significantly influence the team's offseason strategy. Should he opt not to re-sign, the subsequent trade and its return package could reshape the Winnipeg Jets' lineup, impacting their approach to pending UFAs.