Elliotte Friedman Reveals Three Teams as Frontrunners to Land Nikolaj Ehlers

The list of teams interested in signing Nikolaj Ehlers on July 1st is getting smaller, and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has just revealed the top three teams in it.

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers has informed the team that he plans to dip his toes into the waters of unrestricted free agency when the market opens on July 1st, potentially paving the way for an offseason blockbuster.

Ehlers, 29, has played his entire 10-year NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets after being chosen ninth overall in the 2014 NHL Draft.

In 674 games, the Danish right winger has accumulated 520 points (225 goals, 295 assists) and contributed another 21 points in 45 playoff games.

For all his flashes of brilliance, Ehlers never quite got top-line minutes on a consistent basis, leading many to wonder what he might do if given more of a role.

He's coming into this year on the back of a solid 63-point season (24G, 39A in 69 GP) and will surely command a gigantic contract. Opportunity and victory potential are reportedly the biggest factors in where he signs up to play next.

Carolina, Washington and Columbus are at the top of the list for Ehlers

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, many insiders are considering Carolina as a dark horse candidate to sign Ehlers.

He added that Washington makes a lot of sense for Ehlers, and others also feel Columbus is a dark horse suitor where he could sign, too.

'A lot of people are looking at Carolina for Nikolaj Ehlers: he makes a lot of sense for Washington; people are wondering about Columbus.'

- Elliotte Friedman