Country Club Islanders? The New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-prospects-matias-rajaniemi-alexander-ljungkrantz] need to upgrade their top six if they want to become a more consistent, complete team in 2024-25. Could an option be sitting on the Winnipeg Jets? Multiple sources have told The Hockey News that the Islanders have inquired about Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/new-york-islanders-nikolaj-ehlers-jets-horvat-barzal-lamoriello]. The 28-year-old, who has one year remaining on his deal worth $6 million annually with a modified no-trade clause of 10 teams, bounced back after a tough 2023-24 season, scoring 25 goals with 36 assists for 61 points in 82 games. His 61 points was the second-highest point total of his career, reaching 64 points in 2016-17. Per Ehlers' exit interview, it didn't seem as if there had been talks with Winnipeg regarding an extension, and The Athletic reported that he has been made available. Although Ehlers does have an injury history, only playing 45 games in 2022-23 and playing in just 82 games three times over a nine-year career, he's been so effective when healthy. This tidbit from The Athletic's Murat Ates [https://x.com/WPGMurat] is a good one, showing just how strong Ehlers has been: "Ehlers led the Jets in five-on-five points per minute (again) in 2023-24 and has led all Jets in points per minute of ice time over the duration of his current contract. Last season, the Jets played him less often than third-line right winger Mason Appleton." As of right now, per CapFriendly [https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/islanders], the Islanders have $6.43 million in available cap space. This includes the signing of top European free agent Maxim Tsyplakov [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/latest-news/maxim-tsyplakov-new-york-islanders-signing-forward-khl-free-agent-lamoriello]'s entry-level deal ($950,000) counting against the NHL roster, while not including forward Julien Gauthier ($787,500) In order to acquire Ehlers, the Islanders will need to part ways with a contract or two. What helps New York, especially given their lack of prospects, is that they acquired an extra second-round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks on May 24 (No. 54 and No. 61) This pick could be used to sweeten a deal, whether that is moving a contract to create more space or bringing on a player like Ehlers. If the Islanders can find a way to land the Danish forward, he would be a strong addition to their top six, providing speed and skill that would fit Patrick Roy's system quite well. In Winnipeg, Ehlers never got a chance to be a top-line player but showed that he certainly has the tools to shine up there and could be a strong fit alongside Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal. A deal for Ehlers would likely come with an extension, potentially a seven-year or eight-year deal worth $6-$7.5 million annually. Cap space will be the biggest thing holding the Islanders back from a deal. TOP STORIES
