As the NHL heads into another off-season, talk about unrestricted free agents (UFAs) is heating up. But this year’s free agent pool isn’t very strong, and with the salary cap rising to $95.5 million, teams might be tempted to spend big. While it might work in some cases, other signings could be risky. One such case is Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers, whose future with the team is uncertain.
Ehlers Had a Good Season — But Is That Enough?
Nikolaj Ehlers had a solid regular season in 2023–24. He got 63 points, including 39 assists — which matched his career-high — in just 69 games. These are strong numbers for a 29-year-old forward. He earned $6 million this season, and the Jets still have over $25 million in cap space. But the big question is: should they spend a big chunk of it to re-sign him?
The truth is, even though Ehlers performed well in the regular season, his playoff record isn’t very impressive. In 674 regular-season games, he scored 520 points, averaging 0.77 points per game. However, in 45 playoff games, he only scored 21 points — a much lower 0.47 average.
Health Concerns Are Another Red Flag
One of the biggest concerns with Ehlers is his health. In his 10 NHL seasons, he has completed a full 82-game season only three times. In most other seasons, injuries kept him off the ice. He played more than 69 games just twice outside of those full seasons. For any team looking for a reliable, injury-free player, Ehlers isn’t the safest option.
A Better Option: Brock Boeser
Instead of spending big on Ehlers, teams might be better off looking at someone like Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks. Boeser has scored at least 23 goals in six different seasons. While his playoff experience is still growing, he’s already shown up in big moments with 11 goals and 23 points in just 29 playoff games. That kind of performance makes him look more dependable than Ehlers when it really counts.
Should Winnipeg Keep the Same Team?
The Jets do have the money to keep Ehlers. But after another season without a deep playoff run, is it wise to stick with the same core players? General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has often chosen to keep the group together, but maybe it’s time for a change.
If other teams push up the price for Ehlers, the Jets might be better off walking away. They can use that cap space to bring in fresh talent who may perform better when it matters most — in the playoffs.
Nikolaj Ehlers is a talented forward with strong regular-season numbers, but his injury history and weaker playoff performance raise questions. As teams prepare for free agency, they’ll need to think hard before offering him a big contract. For the Winnipeg Jets, this might be the perfect time to make a change and reshape their roster. Letting Ehlers go could open the door for stronger playoff results in the future.
