Nikolaj Ehlers originally showed up at number 12 on Frank Seravalli’s TSN Trade Bait list. He is no longer listed among the 30 names on the updated TSN Trade Bait list. Why? Because the Jets management team remembered that he is awesome!
He is a productive player who drives play and dazzles fans and opponents with his speed, puck control, and end-to-end rushes. Ehlers seems like he is just beginning to tap into his full offensive talent and is likely to improve statistically.
Ehlers snapped his playoff scoring drought this season against the Calgary Flames, and was one of the Jets players that really seemed to not crumble under the hard checking, physical playoff style that the Flames threw at the Jets. This was not surprising to Jets fans who have watched him stand up to NHL heavyweights like Jamie Benn and Ryan Getzlaf.
Ehlers continues to be in the discussions about Jets with the highest trade value, along with Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor. GM’s should always be talking to teams about all players in an effort to upgrade their roster. However, if I were Kevin Cheveldayoff, Ehlers would be one of my near untouchables on the roster. At a salary of $6 million for the next four seasons, Ehlers is a bargain and an asset that a small market team should wisely hold on to. He’s just going to get better in a world where player salaries and a shrinking or static salary cap will make it even harder to manager a roster.
Ehlers is Jet for life in my mind!
