Nikolaj Ehlers has officially signed a six-year, $51 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes in NHL free agency, confirming his departure from the Winnipeg Jets after ten seasons. The 29-year-old winger entered free agency when his previous seven-year, $42 million deal with the Jets expired following the 2024-25 season.
Ehlers’ Performance and Role with the Winnipeg Jets
During the last season, Ehlers played alongside Vladimir Namestnikov on the Jets’ second line, finishing fourth on the team with 24 goals and third with 63 points in just 69 games. This marked a career-high pace of 0.91 points per game. Although he missed time due to a right foot injury late in the regular season and early playoffs, he returned to contribute five goals in the Jets’ final eight postseason contests.
Jets’ Management Hoped for Ehlers’ Long-Term Stay
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff expressed his desire for Ehlers to remain a lasting part of the team, stating he hoped Ehlers would
“
be one of those guys who can be a unique Jet-for-life type of player.
”
—Kevin Cheveldayoff, Jets General Manager
Despite this, Ehlers chose to explore free agency instead of continuing with key Winnipeg players like Mark Scheifele, Neal Pionk, and Connor Hellebuyck. His new goal is to pursue a Stanley Cup with Carolina.
Potential Impact and Opportunities in Carolina
Although Ehlers has faced injuries in four of his last five seasons, he has maintained a steady scoring rate, averaging 29 goals per season. Limited ice time behind Scheifele in Winnipeg may see improvement as he could receive more playing minutes and possibly play alongside Sebastian Aho with the Hurricanes next season, enhancing his offensive output.
Legacy with the Winnipeg Jets
Drafted ninth overall by Winnipeg in 2014, Ehlers has left a significant mark on the franchise. He currently ranks fifth in franchise history for both career goals (225) and assists (295) over 674 regular-season games. His move to Carolina marks a new chapter as he aims to help the Hurricanes contend seriously for the Stanley Cup.