I wasn’t in the camp of folks who felt like Nikolaj Ehlers would be returning next season in a Winnipeg Jets uniform. He was mum on the topic throughout this season and is scheduled to be a UFA come July 1st.
He just concluded his 10th season as a Jet after the team selected him back in 2014 in Philadelphia with the 9th overall selection.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
My ‘will he stay’ meter adjusted slightly when GM Kevin Cheveldayoff advised us during his end of season media availability last week that he met with Ehlers agent for two hours that week and was prepared to pitch him on being a ‘Jet for life’.
Today, TSN released a discussion between Chris Johnston and Gino Reda where the hockey insider shared his thoughts on a number of free agents including Ehlers.
What I found notable in the discussion was he indicated:
“..I think there is a desire for him to stay in Winnipeg on both sides of the table but the deal has to make sense and it’s not yet clear if that’s going to happen.”
It really seems like if the Jets are prepared to match Ehlers dollar amount when it comes to contract then a deal can be worked out. Of course that’s a big if so we will have to wait and see how it plays out.
Here’s the full video:
