New front-runner emerges for Nikolaj Ehlers

Since their playoff collapse in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, things haven't been going well in Winnipeg, with the team making some questionable moves while also having one of their top prospects refuse to join the team. Now, they appear to be on the verge of trading veteran forward Nik Elhers, and after all the whispers, it appears an Eastern Conference contender remain the front runner to land him.

The 28-year old winger has been a staple of the Jets team since way back in 2015, and after playing all 82 games a year ago, tallying a solid 25 goals on the season, he remains a valuable player. In 605 games at the NHL level, Ehlers has remained a consistent threat, netting 201 goals and 457 points over that time, and with the Hurricanes needing to match up against the likes of New York, Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay and Florida, loading up is the right move.

It's unclear just how motivated Winnipeg are to moving Ehlers, but there's certainly plenty of interest in him from around the league, and it shouldn't come as a shock if they move him this summer.