Nikolaj Ehlers Officially Leaves Winnipeg, Signs With New Team

Ehlers has played all 674 of his NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets, tallying 225 goals and 520 points over his nine seasons there.

His best year came during the 2016-17 season when he posted 64 points, but even in recent seasons, he's maintained a strong two-way presence, something that can really benefit his new club.

Ehlers, who entered free agency as the No. 2 UFA behind Mitch Marner, quickly became the focal point after the Leafs and Vegas were involved in a sign-and-trade.

Ehlers did deal with his fair share of injuries last season

Ehlers missed 13 games a season ago and was more than 30 points off of what Marner accomplished, but he has a similar style that benefits what the teams need in both ends of the ice.

AFP Analytics projected an AAV at $8.1 million, which, yes, is a significant amount, but for a player who was so similar to Marner in terms of free agency attraction, this new deal is a bargain.

Ehlers is still in his prime at 29 years old, and the left-shot left winger is coming off 69 games in 2024-25 in which he scored 24 goals and assisted 39 times, for a total of 63 points, just one point shy of his career high.

Ehlers hasn't always been totally durable when it comes to staying healthy, but he works hard to get out there with the correct mindset, and Carolina will really benefit having him in their lineup for the foreseeable future.