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BREAKING: Making the decision to join Winnipeg was the worst decision in my career…
The Winnipeg Jets are reportedly looking to shake up their roster this offseason and the primary piece potentially on the move is talented, scoring winger Nikolaj Ehlers. Per The Athletic’s Murat Ates, the Jets are “likely to shop” Ehlers ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft which kicks off on June 28 in Las Vegas.
Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan has made it no secret that he has wanted to add serious scoring talent to his team’s forward group. During his Breakdown Day media availability just a few weeks ago, MacLellan restated his desire to do so, mentioning that the team would peruse both the trade and free agency market for the right fit.
Ehlers, who turned 28 in February, could fit MacLellan’s billing. The Danish left winger has struggled to get consistent, top-six ice time with the Jets despite being the team’s top performer at even strength for multiple seasons.
Ates points out in his story that Ehlers has led the Jets in five-on-five points per minute in each of the past six seasons despite getting fewer minutes than third-line right winger Mason Appleton.
In 82 games this season, the speedy Ehlers recorded 61 points (25g, 26a). Among all qualified skaters, Ehlers ranked tied for 13th in the league with Leon Draisaitl in terms of points per 60 minutes of ice time at five-on-five (2.63) and seventh among just wingers. Some of the names on the wing trailing him include Filip Forsberg, Mikko Rantanen, Kirill Kaprizov, Matthew Tkachuk, and Jason Robertson.
Ehlers has one year left on his contract at a $6 million cap hit after signing a seven-year, $42 million extension with Winnipeg in 2017. His contract has some trade protection as Ehlers can block a deal to a list of 10 teams with his modified no-trade clause.
The Jets were also dynamite with Ehlers on the ice from a pure process perspective. During his over 1,000 minutes of five-on-five ice time this past year, Winnipeg saw 55.2 percent of the shot attempts, 54.9 percent of the expected goals, 55.3 percent of the scoring chances, and 54.2 percent of the high-danger chances. They out-scored opponents 62-33 with him over the boards.
Ehlers would be a prime candidate for a sign-and-trade this summer as the Jets would be able to maximize their potential return and his eventual landing spot would be able to assure his services for more than just next season. And, the Capitals do fit the mold of being one of those suitors.
Washington will have plenty of cap space next season to fit Ehlers’ $6 million hit under the cap and plenty of future cap space to fit any larger extension on their roster. The Capitals also have stockpiled a good amount of draft capital which could interest a Winnipeg team that has seen its draft cupboards run dry over the past couple of seasons. The Jets do not have a first-round or third-round pick this year and don’t have a second-round or fourth-round pick next year.
Ehlers would also have an immediate spot high on the Capitals’ depth chart with Max Pacioretty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel likely departing Washington in unrestricted free agency. TJ Oshie’s health status is also still up in the air and Ryan Leonard is currently still committed to his sophomore year at Boston College.
Winnipeg faced yet another early playoff exit after being ousted by the Colorado Avalanche in five games in the first round. The team’s head coach, Rick Bowness, retired after the series loss so the club is in transition. Dealing Ehlers could be the launching point for a reformat of a franchise that has made it out of the first round just twice since they arrived in Winnipeg from Atlanta.
