Hurricanes sign Nikolaj Ehlers to six-year contract

This is the first time that Ehlers will call a city other than Winnipeg home in his NHL career. The 29-year-old has been with the Winnipeg Jets since the team took him in the first round, ninth overall, of the 2014 NHL Draft. He has just completed his seven-year contract extension, which he signed with the Jets in October 2014. That deal carried a cap hit of $6 million.

Ehlers has been one of the biggest contributors for the Jets throughout his entire career. Though he has never posted mind-blowing numbers, his ability to stay consistent throughout the first 10 years of his tenure in Winnipeg is what made him such a sought-after free agent.

The Danish winger has registered 25 goals five times, including a career-high 29 during the 2017-18 season. He’s also put up at least 60 points four times, posting 64 points back in 2016-17.

This past year, Ehlers was limited to just 69 games thanks to injury and illness, but narrowly came close to having a career year. He scored 24 goals and 39 assists for 63 points, finishing third on the team in scoring behind Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. His efforts helped Winnipeg capture the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in franchise history. The Jets ended up losing to the Dallas Stars in the Central Division Final.

A two-time Danish Forward of the Year, Ehlers has averaged 52 points a season with the Jets. In 674 games with the club, he’s scored 225 goals and 295 assists for 520 points, including 21 points in 45 Stanley Cup Playoff games. In the Atlanta Thrashers/Jets’ history, Ehlers ranks seventh in games played, fifth in goals and assists, and sixth in points.