A foot injury sidelined Nikolaj Ehlers from the Winnipeg Jets' last two games.

Sportsnet's Jacob Stoller recently suggested this could be a preview of what life could be like for the Jets after this season without the 28-year-old left winger.

Ehlers is slated to become a UFA on July 1. He's been a fixture on the Jets' second line, with four seasons of 60 or more points.

The Hockey News' Adam Proteau said Ehlers has something to prove in the playoffs. He only had two assists in the first round last year and 14 points in 37 career playoff games.

Stoller observed that Ehlers was the subject of trade rumors last summer after contract extension talks went nowhere. He was also reportedly open to a change of scenery.

Neither Ehlers nor Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff have indicated that an extension is in the works before July 1. Stoller believes the Jets will have difficulty replacing him this summer, pointing out they're not a prime destination for free-agent talent or players with no-trade clauses.

Stoller speculated it could cost the Jets a first-round pick to land a suitable replacement for Ehlers in the trade market, depending on who's available and whether that pick might be enough. 

Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread partly because of shaky goaltending. 

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic indicated Blue Jackets starter Elvis Merzlikins is playing better than last season, but it still hasn't been good enough. His 3.16 goals-against average and .892 save percentage (as of April 9) are among the worst in this year's goalie class.

Portzline believes addressing the goaltending should be an off-season priority for Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell. He thinks Merzlikins remains untradeable, suggesting a buyout of the final two years of this contract. He also pointed out that coach Dean Evason has shown little faith in backups Daniil Tarasov and Jet Greaves.

Finding a suitable replacement goalie won't be easy. Portzline indicated the notables in this summer's free-agent market include Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils, Dan Vladar of the Calgary Flames and Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.