One of the storylines heading into the 2024 offseason was the number of players on the trading block. Although a few players have already been moved to new clubs, Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets has still not found a new home. Hoping to change that, Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News reported yesterday that the Carolina Hurricanes are pushing heavily for Ehlers’ services.
Carolina’s interest comes as no surprise with the team losing Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, and Stefan Noesen on the free-agent market in only a week. Acquiring a player of Ehlers caliber could help soften the blow for the Hurricanes as they look to continue their dominance in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division during the regular season. Carolina would also present a natural trade partner for Winnipeg as they have a change-of-scenery candidate, as well.
The likelihood of Carolina moving on from forward Martin Necas has certainly dissipated over the last several days as the Hurricanes may be better served by signing the restricted free agent to contract with the amount of depth they lost up front. However, if Carolina is still looking to trade Necas, a one-for-one swap with the Jets might make the most sense. Assuming that both players are willing to discuss an extension as a part of the deal — a trade involving Ehlers for Necas might be the easiest path forward for both sides.
Ehlers style of play would fit seamlessly in Carolina as he has one of the better possession games in the league. Throughout his tenure in Winnipeg dating back to the 2015-16 NHL season, Ehlers has scored 201 goals and 457 points in 605 games while averaging a CorsiFor% of 57.6% over that stretch. The biggest criticism of Ehlers’ game, and simultaneously for the Hurricanes, is his lack of performance during the postseason as he’s only scored four goals and 14 points in 37 playoff contests.
I feel like the fly in the ointment is Ehlers is going to be a UFA at the end of next season. The way Carolina operates, this would be a rental like Guentzel – only for a full season. I think Carolina would like to do better than a rental.
I would think they’d get a chance to discuss extension first. The bigger issue is whether Necas will actually want to be in Winnipeg.
Coming off a seven year contract and looking for a free agent deal at age 29… I don’t think Carolina is going to offer him the dollars or term he will be looking for.
Necas for Ehlers, and some other pieces going both ways seems like a likely framework.
Would rather trade a 2nd or 3rd for Ehlers and keep Necas, they already lost 3 contributors, Necas more than covers Ehlers anyway
A 2nd or 3rd isn’t getting Ehlers straight up. Winnipeg is in the same place as Carolina except division. Ehlers has a more solid background of being a scoring forward, Necas as a 2 way fw. It’s actually pretty close.
Ehlers isn’t even a .5pt/g player in the playoffs. Pass.
Extend Necas instead.
I don’t understand why we would give up a player, three years younger, right winger, right-handed shot, when we only have Necas and Jarvis on that side, for a left-winger, when we have several. I’m guessing this is dragging out because we are trying to get Ehlers without trading Nikishin or Necas.
I can semi-bitterly tell you that CAR didn’t have to move any of their blue chip prospects to trade for Guentzel, so they can still get Ehlers without moving Necas if they want (which I imagine they do).
Guentzel was a deadline rental. He’s not a good comp here
Ehlers would be a rental too… just for five months longer.
Big difference when it’s a full season
So, for the record, I was saying CAR had their better prospects to offer, BUT…
Now that you mention it…not really.
I don’t usually see a big difference in return, actually…which is why teams usually hold until the deadline. More options in the summer, more urgency in March.
Also…Necas better, younger, more control…Ehlers doesn’t fetch that.