Nikolaj Ehlers, a Winnipeg Jets forward, has been linked to a trade, with the Detroit Red Wings being one of the potential destinations.
Ehlers is in the final year of his seven-year, $42 million contract, and his name has been touted as a trade target this summer. PuckPedia’s new tool, PuckGM, allows users to make their own deals, and one user offered a deal that would see the Red Wings acquire Ehlers.
Red Wings get:
Jets get:
- Jonatan Berggren
- Dmitri Buchelnikov
- 2025 first-round pick
- 2026 second-round pick
The Red Wings would get Ehlers in exchange for two prospects and two draft picks.
Ehlers would immediately contribute more scoring to Detroit’s offense. The great forward is expected to play on the Red Wings’ second line, pushing Vladimir Tarasenko down to the third line to enhance their attack even further. Last season, Ehlers scored 25 goals and 36 assists for 61 points in 82 games.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg would receive first- and second-round draft picks to aid in their rebuilding efforts. The Jets would also get Jonatan Berggren—who was picked 33rd overall in the 2018 NHL draft and has skated in 79 NHL games, posting 17 goals and 17 assists for 34.
Dmitri Buchelnikov, meanwhile, was taken 52nd overall by Detroit in the 2022 NHL draft but has yet to sign his entry-level contract. Last season, the Russian played in the KHL and scored 13 goals and 16 assists for a total of 29 points.
Ehlers welcomes a change in scenery from jets.
Ehlers has spent his entire nine-year NHL career with the Jets, who drafted him ninth overall in 2014.
However, as Ehlers enters the final year of his contract, he has been the focus of trade speculations, with David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reporting that Ehlers is not interested in an extension and would prefer a trade.
“According to a well-placed source close to the Jets, Ehlers is not interested in signing a contract extension with the club and that is primarily why Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is exploring his options via the trade market,” Pagnotta told reporters on June 5. “He owns a 10-team no-trade list and word out of Winnipeg is that while he has not requested a trade, he would welcome a move.”
Although Ehlers has no plans to sign an extension with the Jets, the team has yet to trade him.
Red Wings Increased Offense in Free Agency
Detroit almost missed the playoffs last season, and in the offseason, the Red Wings concentrated on scoring.
Detroit’s first major move was re-signing future Hall of Fame forward Patrick Kane to a one-year pact worth $6.5 million. The Red Wings then signed two-time Stanley Cup champion forward Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year, $9.5 million contract.
Following the additions, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman stated that he believes Detroit can compete for a playoff position next season.
“I think we’re in with that group of teams that has a chance to compete for the playoffs,” Yzerman stated on July 4. “If we stay healthy, if our goaltending is strong, and our players perform above expectations, we might get in. Or you can just miss by a point in the final game of the season. That is the fine line of it all. I look.
Take a look at the roster today and compare it to last year’s; there are some differences. It may be a better fit in terms of responsibilities for guys who are currently on the roster.” The Red Wings have not made the playoffs since the 2015-16 season.
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