Elliotte Friedman Reveals the Main Reasons Nikolaj Ehlers Wanted to Play in Eastern Conference

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that Nikolaj Ehlers jumped to the Eastern Conference in order to have less travel and play on a top line.

Once Mitch Marner, Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, Brock Nelson, and Brock Boeser were off the board, the highest UFA remaining forward was Nikolaj Ehlers, and he had choices. He eventually settled with the Carolina Hurricanes.

But several teams pursued him. Three others, the Washington Capitals, Utah Mammoth, and Colorado Avalanche, made serious efforts, according to insider Elliotte Friedman on '32 Thoughts'.

Washington came very close to acquiring Nikolaj Ehlers

Washington went extremely hard and was in it until the final stages, while Utah and Colorado made a serious effort but didn't make it nearly as far down the road in negotiations.

Then there was Detroit. The Red Wings reportedly wanted in, but were shut out before they could even make a formal offer. Elliotte Friedman noted that Nikolaj Ehlers and his camp told the Wings not to bother, and it is for some unknown reason.

Would Steve Yzerman have gone out of character and pitched a long-term deal to the Danish winger? We'll never know. Friedman also gave some insight into Ehlers' decision-making process.

In addition to experiencing a more subdued hockey environment than in Winnipeg, Ehlers also wanted to go east, both for fewer miles of travel during road games and the opportunity to play with top players like Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis on Carolina's first line.