Anticipating a new contract after a near career year: Nikolaj Ehlers Jets Nation year in review

Comply with us on our Jets Nation socials! X/Twitter: @NHLJetsNation and on Instagram: @JetsNationDotCa

Because the Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers approaches, I’m shifting on to the 2nd participant within the Jets Nation yr in evaluate collection. Should you missed the primary one, I coated the Jets ahead who led the group in factors throughout each the common season and playoffs, Kyle Connor. Now it’s time to have a look at the Jets ahead who got here near setting profession highs throughout the remaining yr on his present contract: Nikolaj Ehlers. A fan favorite and one in every of Denmark’s finest NHL gamers ever, the discussions round Ehlers previous to free company will likely be if the Jets can convey him again.

Nikolaj Ehlers, nicknamed “The Nice Dane”, “The Danish Sprint” and even typically “Fly” and “Little Buddy Nik”, is a crucial piece of the Jets high 6 ahead group. This season, Ehlers performed nearly all of his video games on the 2nd line with Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti. It won’t really feel prefer it, however this season was Ehlers’ tenth as a Jet since being drafted ninth total in 2014. The 29 yr outdated from Aalborg, Denmark entered this season on the ultimate yr of his contract, and with that motivation of taking part in for a brand new contract, he posted close to profession excessive numbers in an total profitable season.

Whenever you take a look at Ehlers’ numbers, you usually anticipate to see a 20+ purpose season with a sizeable quantity of assists. This season, Ehlers was restricted to 69 common season video games attributable to lower-body and foot accidents. Ehlers has been damage riddled in his previous, however coming off an 82 recreation season he nonetheless managed to exceed most of his stats from the 2023-24 season. In 69 video games, Ehlers scored 24 objectives (5 shy of his profession excessive 29) and 39 assists (tied for his profession finest) for 63 factors, simply 1 level from his profession better of 64 in 82 video games again in 2016-17.

The foot damage Ehlers suffered on the finish of the common season made him miss the start of the first spherical playoff matchup in opposition to the St. Louis Blues. In 8 playoff video games, Ehlers managed to make an impression, scoring 5 objectives and a pair of assists for 7 factors. After the Jets season was over, Ehlers went over to Denmark to play for his nation within the IIHF World Championship. Denmark had been one of many co-hosts, and in a totally surprising end result, Denmark beat Canada 2-1 in OT within the Quarterfinals, with Ehlers scoring the sport tying purpose with minutes to play. Sadly Denmark misplaced within the Semifinals and Bronze Medal recreation, however after the sport in opposition to Canada, Ehlers stated it was “one of many greatest issues I’ve performed in my profession”.

There might not be any superior analytics that instantly soar out for Ehlers, however his nickname “Fly” describes why he’s such an essential a part of the Jets. His distinctive velocity, particularly on solo zone-entries is an enormous a part of his dynamic play type. Rasmus Kupari may need Ehlers beat for quickest sustained velocity at 24.5 MPH, however Ehlers was able to reaching high speeds of round 23.5 MPH, which nonetheless places him within the “elite” class. From my very own observations watching Jets video games this yr, Ehlers sneakily improved his defensive tasks, changing into a extra rounded two-way participant. These traits make Ehlers a fascinating choice for nearly any group trying so as to add a ahead in free company in July, which is much more cause for the Jets to get a brand new deal performed.

In fact, the discuss Ehlers now could be all about how the Jets can signal him to a brand new contract. His earlier contract of seven years, $42 million ($6 million AAV) has simply ended, and he’ll now be an unrestricted free agent at age 29. The Jets hope to re-sign Ehlers, and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is aware of that on the high of his precedence listing for this summer season will likely be to make Ehlers a “Jet for all times”. In line with AFP analytics (a sports activities analytics consulting agency), Ehlers subsequent contract is projected to be a 6 yr take care of a median annual worth of $8.1-8.4 million. Sure elements such because the rising wage cap and variety of groups will impression Ehlers’ subsequent contract, but it surely’ll be as much as him and his agent to resolve what is smart for his center to late stage of his profession.

After reaching close to profession highs in a shortened season, Ehlers low season will likely be an thrilling stage of his profession as he indicators his new contract. However what’s going to subsequent season seem like for Ehlers? If he’s again with the Jets, which hopefully would be the case, I anticipate him to get one other 60-70 level season taking part in because the “primary man” on the Jets 2nd line. If by some means the Jets don’t handle to strike a take care of Ehlers, I might see him taking part in on a high line on a fringe playoff or rebuilding group. No matter occurs with Ehlers, we’ll be able to cowl the newest information right here at Jets Nation, and let me know which participant I ought to cowl subsequent on this yr in evaluate collection. On a aspect be aware, that is my two hundredth article for Jets Nation, so right here’s the various extra as I enter my 2nd yr right here!

PRESENTED BY PRAIRIE TOYOTA DEALERS 

Source link