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Montreal Canadiens Have Best Odds to Sign Star Free Agent, Per Longtime NHLer Jannik Hansen

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated May 25, 2025 7:28 PM ET

According to longtime NHLer Jannik Hansen, the Canadiens have the best chances of signing Jets free agent star Nikolaj Ehlers this offseason.

Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers is expected to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

NHL insider and former player Jannik Hansen recently had something to say about the future of Ehlers, offering the Montreal Canadiens as a potential suitor for his services.

Ehlers is good friends with Canadiens' Patrik Laine

Hansen believes Montreal could be attractive to Ehlers due to his good friend status with Canadiens forward Patrik Laine.

The pair were Winnipeg teammates and are reported to remain close friends, something that could influence Ehlers in free agency, over say, a place like Vancouver.

'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

A first-round selection in 2014, Ehlers began his NHL career during the 2015-16 season after a stellar junior career with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. With his speed and goal-scoring prowess, Ehlers has been a core member of the Jets.

In the 2024-25 season, Ehlers recorded 63 points, made up of 24 goals and 39 assists, his fourth season with 60 or more points. He also performed well in the playoffs, with five goals and two assists in nine games.

Hansen also noted that Ehlers has had experience performing in pressure games, playing his entire career in Winnipeg, a hockey-starved market. That would serve him well if he were to end up in another high-expectations city like Montreal.

If Ehlers hits the open market this summer, then the Canadiens could be an appealing place.

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

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