Mitch Marner is widely regarded as the prize possession of the free agent market this offseason, but Nikolaj Ehlers is a valued consolation prize, even though he may be the Winnipeg Jets' top target.
Teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and the Chicago Blackhawks are lining up mega offers for Marner if he decides to test the free agent market, which it seems like he will, but if they fall short, they'll look to the next best thing, and according to TSN's Chris Johnston, Ehlers is just that.
On The Chris Johnston Show, he mentioned that Ehlers "will likely hit the market; Chicago and Carolina could make a lot of sense." The Hurricanes have been chasing star players, acquiring Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen in back-to-back years, but haven't been able to come to contract agreements with them. Ehlers would not only fill the void of a star player, but his play style fits the brand of hockey the Hurricanes play. His speed and puck skills would shine, and he'd likely finally receive the ice time he feels he deserves.
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The Blackhawks and the Hurricanes are in different stages, but they, too, would greatly benefit from signing Ehlers. The Blackhawks are hoping to start climbing out of their rebuild, and providing Connor Bedard a winger as skilled as Ehlers would help kick-start things.
Although it's becoming increasingly likely that Ehlers hits the market, similar to Marner's situation with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the possibility of re-signing isn't completely over. If Ehlers and Marner aren't convinced by other teams or offers, they are still willing to work out a deal with the teams that drafted them. The Jets coaching staff and players have lobbied for Ehlers to return, but at the moment, he holds all the cards regarding his future.
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