Frontrunner to Sign Nikolaj Ehlers in Free Agency Unexpectedly Out of Contention

Nikolaj Ehlers is expected to draw immense interest on the free agency market this off-season, but now, a top contender to land him has withdrawn from the race.

Beyond Mitch Marner, this 2025 NHL free agency class is set to be an intriguing one, with the likes of Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Nikolaj Ehlers all players that will draw attention around the league.

As for Ehlers, he's expected to land with a top contender, with the likes of Washington, New Jersey and even Toronto if Marner departs all being named as potential landing spots for the veteran forward.

However, The Athletic are now reporting that one team that were now expected to show interest in the 29-year old will now not be able to pursue him in free agency this off-season.

It may be that Ehlers is simply prepared to move on. Perhaps he's ready for a new opportunity. His promotion to the Jets' top power play unit helped him play the fourth-most all-situations minutes among Jets forwards this season - closer to his value - but there may be teams that can afford to play him in an even bigger role. New Jersey, Carolina, and Washington come to mind as markets with cap space, ambition, and room for another top winger. (Montreal, a frequent fan-suggested landing spot, won't have the cap room and is already well-stocked in skilled forwards.)