Elliotte Friedman Reveals Plan B Target for Teams Missing Out on Mitch Marner

Ehlers, 29, just completed the final season of his seven-year, $42 million contract. He posted 63 points in 69 regular-season games and scored seven points in eight postseason outings. 

The veteran winger is expected to be one of the more sought-after forwards on the market, and Daily Faceoff projects him to land a six-year, $48.6 million deal.

“I do wonder about a team that’s looking on the wing, says ‘Alright, we’re not in the Marner game, and we don’t have a shot at Marner; we’re just going right to Ehlers.’”

Friedman also made an interesting revelation, saying that Winnipeg nearly moved Ehlers in a deal for Martin Necas at this year's trade deadline.

However, concerns over Necas’s willingness to commit long-term to the Jets prompted Winnipeg to pass on it.

In any case, it's fair to assume the Jets appear to have accepted they will eventually lose Ehlers, as proven by their willingness to include him in a midseason deal last March.