Free Agent Targets: Nikolaj Ehlers is a consistent top-six winger

Could the Calgary Flames look to add a top-six winger in free agency?

This is Free Agent Targets, where we look at players the Flames could target when free agency opens on July 1, 2025. Last time, we looked at the top soon-to-be free agent, Mitch Marner.

In this edition, we’ll look at Nikolaj Ehlers, another forward who has spent his entire career with a Canadian team.

Nikolaj Ehlers’ stats

Ehlers has been a consistent producer since he was drafted ninth overall in the 2014 draft. In 2016-17, he scored 25 goals and 64 points, the latter stat being a career-high to this day. In 2017-18, Ehlers scored a career-high 29 goals with 60 points.

In 2018-19, Ehlers missed 20 games and scored 21 goals and 37 points in 62 games. He remained relatively healthy the next two seasons, before missing another 20 games in 2021-22. Ehlers’ career-low in games came in 2022-23, playing just 45 games along with one post-season game. In 2023-24, Ehlers played another full season, scoring 25 goals and 61 points in 82 games, the second time in his career he’s hit the 60-point mark.

That brings us to his most recent season. It was his best season of his career, scoring 24 goals and 63 points, one fewer than his career high. Unlike his career-high of 64 points, which came in 82 games, Ehlers only played 69 games in 2024-25.

Due to a foot injury, Ehlers missed the start of the post-season, joining the Jets’ playoff run in Game 6 of the first round. He only played eight games before the Jets were bounced in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars, but Ehlers scored a career-high five goals in those eight games. Moreover, he finished with seven points, tying his career-best back in 2018 post-season, which was done in 15 games.

Nikolaj Ehlers’ contract outlook

Despite missing time in various seasons due to injuries, Ehlers is a bona fide top-six forward and is coming off a career-best season entering free agency.

According to AFPAnalytics, Ehlers is projected to earn a six-year deal worth $8.12 million. Once Jul.1 rolls around, Ehlers will become an unrestricted free agent, meaning all 32 teams could bid for his services. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ehlers re-signs with the Jets.

Is Nikolaj Ehlers a fit for the Flames

In an article by Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco, he noted that the Flames may go big-game hunting this off-season for a scoring top-six forward. While Ehlers may not be the same calibre of a player as Mitch Marner, the Danish forward consistently hits the 20-goal mark and is usually over 50 points. That’s the type of production the Flames could use in their top six.

It’s worth noting that the Flames do have their fair share of wingers, especially on the left side. That includes Jonathan Huberdeau, Joel Farabee, Connor Zary, Yegor Sharangovich and Blake Coleman. That said, Ehlers would be their top left-winger on the roster.

Financially, the Flames could easily sign Ehlers, barring that he’d want to play for the Flames. Their projected cap space is $28.15 million, but they’ll need to sign Kevin Bahl, Morgan Frost, and Zary. Still, there’s more than enough cap room for the Flames to add a top-six forward like Ehlers.

It comes down to whether or not the Flames are concerned about Ehlers’ ability to avoid injuries, as well as whether or not Ehlers wants to play for the Flames.