The San Jose Sharks are heading into an important off-season — one that includes landing the second overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. It also comes with a big free agency period as they look to build around their young core.

One name that would make a lot of sense is Nikolaj Ehlers, who’s expected to hit free agency this summer. Ehlers, 29, could be the missing piece on the top line with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. While the Sharks have popped up in rumors as a possible landing spot for Mitch Marner, it might be smarter to look at Ehlers as a fit rather than locking in Marner at over $13 million a season — especially with Celebrini and Smith still on entry-level deals and needing extensions in two years.

Ehlers is coming off a contract that paid him $6 million annually, and early projections have him landing something in the six-year, $8 million per season range.

This season, Ehlers appeared in 69 games and finished with 24 goals and 39 assists for 63 points — just one point shy of tying his career-high of 64, which he posted back in 2016-17 during his second NHL season.

If Ehlers does hit the market, he’ll likely have interest from at least a dozen teams. He’s capable of scoring 30 goals in a season, maybe more with increased ice time. If he signs in San Jose, he’d probably slot in on the top line and be a big piece of the core moving forward.

It would be a strong pickup for the Sharks — someone who can pass on what he learned during his time with the Jets to their young group. If Ehlers wants top-line minutes, a big contract, and the chance to help lead a rebuild into something competitive, San Jose would be the perfect landing spot.

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