The anticipation for the upcoming NHL season is in the air as Labour Day has passed in both the United States and Canada. With training camps on the horizon, there is a sense of urgency for teams to sign their remaining unsigned players. One team that is making headlines in the NHL rumours mill is the Winnipeg Jets.
The focus of this edition of NHL rumours is on the Jets’ efforts to secure a forward who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. The 28-year-old player from Aalborg, Denmark, Nikolaj Ehlers, has been a hot topic of discussion in recent months. Speculation was rife that the Jets would trade him before the upcoming season to avoid losing him for nothing. Winnipeg’s General Manager, Kevin Cheveldayoff, was believed to be exploring possible trade options.
However, according to reports from Free Press writers, there has been a new twist in the tale. Despite expectations of a trade during the off-season, no deal has materialized. Some suggested that Ehlers might be seeking a change of scenery, but the new head coach, Scott Arniel, has expressed admiration for the player.
Arniel has been vocal about his desire to keep Ehlers in the team. While Ehlers hasn’t reached the 30-goal mark in a single season, he has consistently scored at least 20 goals in all but two seasons during his nine-year NHL career.
Cheveldayoff is now considering a different approach. Instead of pursuing a trade, there are talks of trying to negotiate a contract extension with Ehlers. This potential shift in strategy has caught many by surprise, as it deviates from previous rumours.
Recent contract projections suggest that Ehlers could be looking at a five-year deal worth $7.625 million, which would be an increase from his current $6 million salary. The negotiations between the Jets and Ehlers are expected to be intriguing as both parties seek to find common ground.
As the NHL season draws closer, all eyes will be on the Winnipeg Jets and their pursuit to keep Nikolaj Ehlers in the fold. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing NHL rumour.
