As the offseason heats up, the New Jersey Devils are poised to be aggressive in their pursuit of forward talent, and one name that could be on their radar is Winnipeg Jets star Nikolaj Ehlers. With a track record of consistency that includes eight seasons of notching 20 or more goals, Ehlers would typically command a hefty price tag. However, the Devils may find themselves in a unique position to capitalize on his desire for a competitive environment, especially following their recent success, which saw them make the playoffs for the second time in three years.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently shed some light on Ehlers’ situation, noting that the dynamic forward is looking for more than just a lucrative contract—he wants to play for a team with genuine championship aspirations. This is music to the ears of the Devils, a franchise that’s building momentum, and offers a compelling case as a landing spot for Ehlers, who could very well be motivated to take a discount to join a young and ambitious squad.
Friedman mentioned during an episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast that Ehlers’ priorities appear to lean towards winning rather than maximizing his financial gain. “The one thing I’ve heard that Ehlers prefers is, he wants to be in a situation where he can win. And I think that’s more important to him than the number,” Friedman said. This perspective opens up an interesting conversation—if Ehlers is indeed willing to prioritize competitive potential over pure dollar signs, the Devils would be an ideal fit.
Despite his talent, Ehlers’ average ice time has been on the lower side, maxing out at around 15 minutes and 52 seconds per game over the last three seasons. This is surprising for a player with his offensive capabilities, as he has only exceeded 17 minutes of ice time in two of his eight seasons since being drafted as the ninth overall pick in 2015. Given that he has recorded no fewer than 61 points in each of the last two seasons, it’s clear he has plenty left in the tank.
The Devils find themselves in need of an upgrade in their top-six forward group, particularly with aging players like Ondrej Palat and Erik Haula not meeting expectations. Collectively, those players, alongside promising talent Dawson Mercer, managed just 85 points last season—not exactly championship-caliber production. Acquiring Ehlers would not only inject considerable skill into their lineup but could also transform the Devils’ playoff ambitions.
To make this move happen, however, the Devils will need to shed at least one player from their current roster to help fit Ehlers’ anticipated contract. Analysts at Evolving-Hockey project that Ehlers could command a contract in the ballpark of a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $8.888 million when hitting the open market. If that comes to pass, Ehlers would likely become the Devils’ highest-paid forward.
The challenge here is to convince Ehlers that being part of this new, competitive chapter in New Jersey could be worth taking a pay cut. If general manager Tom Fitzgerald, along with some of the team’s current players, can effectively sell Ehlers on their vision for the franchise, there’s potential for him to sign on with a discount of around $1 to $2 million. This could be the catalyst that propels the Devils further into contention, perhaps even back to the Stanley Cup Finals.
As the offseason unfolds, keep an eye on the Devils’ strategies and Ehlers’ decision-making—it’s shaping up to be an intriguing scenario that could redefine the future for both the player and the franchise.
