James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

NHL Analyst Believes Nikolaj Ehlers Could Leave Jets and Sign With Rival Canadian Team

Originally posted on Hockey Latest | By Daniel Lucente | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 10:22 AM ET

NHL analyst Paul Quinney believes the Winnipeg Jets could lose Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency, not just to anyone, but to Canadian rivals, the Ottawa Senators.

With NHL free agency looming, the future of Nikolaj Ehlers with the Winnipeg Jets is far from certain, and Ottawa should take notice. Ehlers, 29, has played his entire 10-year NHL career with the Jets in Winnipeg.

He had 24 goals and 39 assists in 69 games in the 2024-25 season, missing the final part of the season with a foot injury. He returned for the playoffs and had five goals and two assists in eight games.

But talks with the Jets have stalled, and with free agency set to open July 1, Ehlers' relocation is in the cards. Paul Quinney of 'The Hockey Writers' believes the Ottawa Senators would be a perfect fit.

'The Jets let this season run out without re-signing the 29-year-old Ehlers,' Quinney wrote. 'Could this be the end of the road for the winger who Winnipeg fans have known as 'The Great Dane' over the 10 years he has skated in a Jets sweater?'

While the Sens lack defense and goaltending (Linus Ullmark has not lived up to expectations), Quinney argues their biggest shortcoming is on the offense side, specifically secondary scoring at even strength.

'While many say both defense and goaltending could and should be improved this summer in free agency, Staios can't do everything,' Quinney noted. 'He needs to focus on his team's biggest need, and that's more offensive firepower. Ehlers could surely bring more of it.'

Ehlers, who is considered the league's best transition winger, may be the solution to that. Scoring 60-63 points annually, he's a consistent 25-goal scorer who can score off the rush and play first-line minutes.

The Senators have a ton of cap space to be able to sign Ehlers

With an estimated cap space of around $15 million, Ottawa can afford to provide Ehlers with a raise from his $6 million deal. Due to the shallow free agent market, he's likely to earn as much as $8 million annually.

While Winnipeg hasn't completely ruled out re-signing him, it's reported that they're more interested in younger players like Cole Perfetti and Dylan Samberg. In case Ehlers remains unsigned, a split is probable.

For Ottawa, Ehlers could be the perfect fit: a goal-scoring, proven commodity who can thrive in a top-six role with the youth foundation of the team. It will be intriguing to see if GM Steve Staios seizes the opportunity.

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

More must-reads: