Nikolaj Ehlers Has Made a Big Decision About His Future, and It's Great News for the Canadiens
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
After 10 seasons in a Winnipeg Jets uniform, Nikolaj Ehlers may be ready to move on - and that's intriguing for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.
According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the 29-year-old Dane has officially decided to test the free-agent market this summer.
In fact, he may have already made up his mind.
That was all it took for rumors linking Ehlers to the Montreal Canadiens to resurface in full force.
Learning that Ehlers will be a free agent on July 1st is fantastic news for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens, who are now considered among the favorites to land the speedy winger.
Acquisitions: Nikolaj Ehlers Has Frequently Been Linked to the Montreal Canadiens
I say "resurface" because the winger has often been mentioned as a potential fit for the Habs if he ever reached free agency.
Former NHLer Éric Bélanger even made a strong case in his favor back in February.
Adding more fuel to the rumors, Ehlers is very close friends with Patrik Laine.
The two even had dinner together during a Jets visit to Montreal.
"Nikolaj Ehlers said he went out for dinner with his good friend on the Habs, Patrik Laine, last night.
Ehlers said there wasn't much talk about the game, but he thinks if they end up facing each other on the ice, some words will definitely be exchanged."
- Priyanta Emrith
Ehlers said there wasn't much talk about the game, but he thinks if they end up facing each other on the ice, some words will definitely be exchanged."
- Priyanta Emrith
While it's true Ehlers isn't a center, he could definitely upgrade Martin St-Louis's offense - and he'll likely cost much less than Mitch Marner.
At the end-of-season presser, Jeff Gorton even opened the door to the idea that the team's major forward addition could be a winger rather than a center.
In 69 games this season, Ehlers recorded 24 goals and 39 assists for a total of 63 points.
That's an average of 0.94 points per game, ranking him 5th among pending unrestricted free agents - behind Mitch Marner (102 points), Matt Duchene (82), John Tavares (74), and Mikael Granlund (66).
Ehlers will be deeply missed in Winnipeg, as Josh Morrissey pointed out.
His presence in the locker room has clearly been a major asset for the organization.
"Obviously, these things are out of my control, but I've played with Nikky for nine years.
He's a fantastic player, an exemplary teammate, a great person.
I try not to think about it too much, but I love playing with him and I hope he's back."
- Josh Morrissey
He's a fantastic player, an exemplary teammate, a great person.
I try not to think about it too much, but I love playing with him and I hope he's back."
- Josh Morrissey
You have to wonder if he could even motivate - or reignite - his friend Laine..
A story to watch!
| POLL | ||
MAI 22 | 2925 ANSWERS Nikolaj Ehlers Has Made a Big Decision About His Future, and It's Great News for the Canadiens Which of the following options do you find most interesting? | ||
| Nikolaj Ehlers at $7.7 million per year | 1616 | 55.2 % |
| Mitch Marner at $12 million per year | 418 | 14.3 % |
| None of the two | 891 | 30.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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