ANALYSIS: Jets need to make a decision on future of Nikolaj Ehlers

When it comes to prima powerfulness connected the Winnipeg Jets, Nikolaj Ehlers is among the agleam constellation that includes names similar Connor, Scheifele, Hellebuyck and Morrissey — though erstwhile it comes to pick-up-the-puck-and-go excitement, helium shines the brightest connected his team.

Through the archetypal 13 games of the season, the 28-year-old Ehlers is disconnected to a torrid start, and connected gait for a vocation twelvemonth successful goals and points.

But now, connected an expiring declaration – 1 that would marque him an unrestricted escaped cause connected July 1 — the question needs to beryllium asked: is this Ehlers’ last play successful Winnipeg?

At this point, there’s been nary quality erstwhile it comes to what either broadside is reasoning successful presumption of negotiations, oregon if there’s adjacent an appetite for the narration to proceed beyond this season.

But present are the options that beryllium for the 2 sides, 1 much favourable to Jets fans, of course, and the different much applicable to the concern of hockey.

First off, the Jets and Ehlers could travel to an hold statement astatine immoderate constituent betwixt present and adjacent summertime and the Great Dane stays put. Another enactment would spot Ehlers locomotion to escaped bureau arsenic the Jets usage him arsenic an in-house rental subordinate for the equilibrium of the play and playoffs. He past signs elsewhere connected July 1.

Now, Winnipeg could besides commercialized him earlier the deadline oregon re-sign him aft helium becomes a escaped agent, but neither of those scenarios is likely.

So, aft 10 years, much than 600 games and astir 500 points, the fashionable Ehlers’ aboriginal successful this assemblage is uncertain, and volition astir apt stay that mode for months to come.

And portion he’s inactive a subordinate of the Jets’ constellation of stars for astir apt the remainder of this season, present that he’s successful his last twelvemonth of a declaration and thing cooking successful presumption of an extension, 1 wonders if his breathtaking abilities widen to him skating close retired of municipality adjacent summer.