Winnipeg Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers continues to surface in NHL trade speculation with a handful of linked teams mentioned, but do the Jets plan to move him this off-season?

The Winnipeg Jets made a significant trade before the 2023 NHL draft, shipping Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings for three players and a second-round draft pick. 

As the 2024 draft approaches, they could have another big move in store involving a key roster player.

Nikolaj Ehlers surfaced in the rumor mill as a trade candidate in early May. The Athletic's Murat Ates reported the Jets had previously floated the 28-year-old winger in the trade market, adding there was concern whether they could afford to re-sign him. 

Ehlers has a year remaining on his contract. He carries an average annual value of $6 million and a 10-team no-trade list. 

Speculation over Ehlers' future grew in the following weeks. It was suggested he could be used as a trade chip to add a top-four defenseman to the Jets' blueline. 

The Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Utah, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders were suggested as possible trade partners. The Hockey News' Islanders site contributor Stefen Rosner also reported Tuesday the team has inquired about Ehlers.

The conjecture recently intensified after The Fourth Period's Dave Pagnotta claimed Ehlers wasn't interested in signing a contract extension with the Jets. Scott Billeck of the Winnipeg Sun cited a source claiming there was constant contact between the winger's camp and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. They also indicated that Ehlers intends to play out his contract and see where things go from there.

Billeck pointed out that Ehlers performed well whenever he saw top-line minutes but hadn't received that much from former coach Rick Bowness or his predecessors. If new bench boss Scott Arniel feels the same, it might be time to peddle Ehlers. He noted that Pagnotta included the Boston Bruins, Seattle Kraken, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils to the list of potential suitors.

Ates, meanwhile, maintained his belief that the Jets intend to move Ehlers before the draft. He thinks their asking price could be a first-round pick and a good young non-elite player. 

Ehlers has put up good numbers in a second-line role with the Jets despite an injury history, netting 60-plus points three times in his nine seasons in Winnipeg. He remains in his playing prime and could reach greater heights with a club where he'd get a first-line role. 

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