'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NHL Rumors: Insider makes bold claim on Winnipeg Jets’ $42,000,000 star’s future amid trade speculation
The Winnipeg Jets may have no choice but to trade forward Nikolaj Ehlers, given the club’s upgrade plans this offseason. Insider Jason Gregor discussed the situation on "The Jason Gregor Show" on July 8.
He focused on the fact that Ehlers is entering the final year of his current $42 million deal.
“If the Jets want to get quicker or remain one of the faster teams, trading Nikolaj is tricky,” Gregor said.
Gregor outlined the reasons for his comments:
“He is a guy who, when healthy, can score 30 goals. He is very hard to replace, but he could be a good trade piece if you are looking for a top-four defenseman if that’s indeed what Kevin Cheveldayoff is looking for.”
Ehlers had a good 2023-24 season, putting up 25 goals and 61 points in 82 games. However, he’s had several seasons cut short due to injury. As such, the Winnipeg Jets must decide if Ehlers is worth keeping or trading now to make cap room.
“To me, having seen what happened last year and hearing what Kevin Cheveldayoff said at the draft, it doesn’t seem like they are too interested in moving him,” Gregor added.
If that’s the case, then the Jets will most likely find another contract to move. Gregor concluded:
“Nikolaj Ehlers has not indicated that he wants to leave the organization either. So, I think he gets extended this offseason.”
The challenge will be finding the right term and dollar value to keep Ehlers with the Winnipeg Jets for the foreseeable future.
Predicting Nikolaj Ehlers’ new contract with the Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets signed Ehlers to a seven-year deal in 2017 with a $6 million AAV. The deal came on the heels of Ehlers notching back-to-back 60-point seasons. However, he’s only managed to top 60 points once since signing the contract.
As Ehlers enters the final year of his current deal, the question becomes: What contract do the Winnipeg Jets give Nikolaj Ehlers?
Considering his age, Ehlers could look at a four-year deal. However, the dollar value could get tricky. He’s certainly not a $6 million player anymore. Perhaps the Jets could extend the contract to a five-year deal with an AAV of about $4 million.
However, there’s always a chance Ehlers decides to test the free agent market next summer. Unless Ehlers can post another 60-point season, it’s unlikely he will get another deal close to $6 million per season.
Expect the Jets and Ehlers to get something done sooner rather than later. If both sides are serious about staying together, it will make sense to get a deal out of the way as quickly as possible. That way, the Jets know what their salary cap structure will look like beyond this upcoming season.
Trending
