CURRENT NEWS: Winnipeg Jets pen new contract worth $5.5 million with top Free Agent

Will the Winnipeg Jets Trade Nikolaj Ehlers and Their Top Prospect Before the Draft?

It’s been rumored for weeks that the Winnipeg Jets could trade winger Nikolaj Ehlers, perhaps as early as the upcoming NHL draft on June 28 and 29 in Las Vegas.

They could also be peddling their top prospect. Over the weekend, The Hockey News’ Carter Brooks cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s report that the Jets had discussed trading the rights to Rutger McGroarty. The 20-year-old University of Michigan winger was chosen 14th overall by the Jets in the 2022 NHL draft.

Earlier this year, McGroarty announced he would return to the University of Michigan for his junior year. The Athletic’s Murat Ates reported the Jets hoped to sign him to his entry-level contract following the 2023-24 season but couldn’t promise him NHL playing time for next year.

Ates claims this situation arose due to a disconnect between how the Jets handled its development plan for McGroarty and his plans for the future. A league source told him the promising youngster now sees his path to the NHL with another team. McGroarty is a highly regarded prospect who could fetch a solid return in the trade market.

The Jets lack a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Ates speculates they could dangle him to one of the six clubs with additional first-rounders. They include the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers. He could also be used as a trade chip to add a player who could provide immediate help to the Jets lineup.

Meanwhile, Ates also reported Ehlers remains a player of interest in the trade market. Ehlers has been linked to the Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators in the rumor mill. Ates noted the Hurricanes are listening to offers for winger Martin Necas while the Senators could shop defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

Necas or Chychrun would be a good fit with the Jets. Whether the Hurricanes or Senators are willing to take on Ehlers’ $6-million cap hit for 2024-25 remains to be seen.

The Hockey News’ Stefen Rosner, meanwhile, wondered about whether the New York Islanders could acquire Ehlers and McGroarty. While getting just McGroarty wouldn’t help them find NHL-ready players, he could fit well in the pipeline if they get Ehlers as well.

Winnipeg did make a move Tuesday morning, signing right-shot defenseman Dylan DeMelo to a four-year contract extension worth $4.9 million per year.