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Former NHLer Jannik Hansen Links Jets' Nikolaj Ehlers to One Specific Eastern Conference Team

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Jack Sutherland | Last updated May 25, 2025 10:30 AM ET

Former NHL forward Jannik Hansen has linked pending Winnipeg Jets free-agent forward Nikolaj Ehlers to a surprising Eastern Conference team this summer.

After the Winnipeg Jets were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Dallas Stars, attention has begun turning toward one of the top pending free agents on the Jets roster.

Forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who had 63 points (24G, 39A) during regular season play, can hit the open market beginning July 1, and he'll have no shortage of potential suitors looking his way.

Right now, Ehlers is playing for Denmark at the 2025 IIHF World Championship overseas:

In fact, Hansen listed a surprising team from the Atlantic Division as a potential for Ehlers because of his friendship with Patrik Laine - the Montreal Canadiens. Hansen also listed Ehlers' familiarity with Quebec as another potential reason he'd be willing to join the Habs this summer.

He's great friends with Laine. He played out in Quebec Major Junior League back in juniors, so he's familiar with that. He wouldn't scoff that plane in Canada. He likes that pressure. So that's not an issue.
- Jannik Hansen

Ehlers is coming off a 7-year, $42 million deal that carried an AAV (average annual value) of $6 million per year.

The Habs surprised many this year, rebounding from a slow start to their season to return to the playoffs for the 1st time since their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, and will be looking to supplement their roster to make a deeper run next season.

This article first appeared on Hockey Latest and was syndicated with permission.

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