July 2: Ehlers’ stay on the open market isn’t expected to last more than a few more hours. He’s down to a few teams and will make his decision at some point Wednesday, Chris Johnston of TSN and The Athletic says.
July 1: Entering today, the top free agent on the board was now-former Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers. He’s due for a big payday after teams looking to land an impact winger in the form of Mitch Marner, who’s off to Vegas in a sign-and-trade, or Brock Boeser, who’s staying in Vancouver on a seven-year deal, failed.
Many pegged Carolina as the favorite to land Ehlers entering today. They’ll certainly have more competition now with other teams looking to circle back and regroup after their day-one activities, but they still have immense spending flexibility with $19MM in cap space and no other moves to make, even after today’s pickup of K’Andre Miller.
As Ehlers likely takes another day – maybe even longer – to mull offers, the Hurricanes did confirm they’ve been in contact with Ehlers’ camp and are “waiting to see where that goes,” general manager Eric Tulsky told reporters Tuesday evening (including the team’s Walt Ruff). ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported earlier in the day that the Capitals and Lightning were also in contact with Ehlers’ camp, but nothing will be imminent until tomorrow at the soonest.
Ehlers would really need to prefer going to Tampa or Washington to make that a reality. Neither has the cap space to pay him his market value, surely over $8MM per season at this stage on a seven-year deal, and would need to make corresponding moves to make him fit in. Carolina has both a pressing need for him, a system that plays to his analytically inclined game, and the cap space to address his financial needs out of the gate.
Beyond that, his list of realistic destinations might be limited. There will be other teams like the Maple Leafs who may want to create room and add him as an impact top-line piece in the absence of Marner.
Still, Toronto – or any other Canadian team, for that matter – is likely not on Ehlers’ radar, considering his newfound ability to be picky about where he ends up thanks to how the market broke in his favor. He prefers a warmer and less intense market than Winnipeg, Frank Seravalli said on today’s coverage of free agency from B/R Open Ice.
Tampa has $2.73M in cap space but would have to move out someone like Oliver Bjorkstrand’s $5.4M or Erik Cernak’s $5.2M (both some may say are overvalued in their current contracts) in order to sign Nikolaj Ehlers to a potential deal. It could be done plus Tampa could replenish some draft assets in a deal for either player. I believe Bjorkstrand (who I do like) would be the casualty if it were to happen.
You are likely going to have to pay something to unload those guys if you’re in a pinch. Pittsburgh would likely help, but it’ll cost you
I don’t think so really IMO. I think the situation depends on the player you’re trying to move. In this case, many teams would take Bjorkstrand on if the opportunity presented itself. He’s a solid middle six player (he’s not some slouch) & would be an upgrade for many teams. I don’t think Tampa would have too much of a problem finding a potential suitor & getting a beneficial return for him.
Not if you want the full cap hit gone.
Edmonton just got a 4th for Arvidsson ($4M) without retention and he had a full NMC. I doubt Tampa has much issue moving Bjorkstrand’s (10 team NTC) $5.4M cap hit.
Depends how desperately they need to move him. Plus the bruins are dumb
@Tang – There is plenty of teams that would take Bjorkstrand without retention if a deal were to get made and @SteveC gave a valid example of a lesser player in Arvidsson’s $4M being taken without retention. Doubt Tampa would have trouble moving Bjorkstrand’s $5.4M.
Suprised Ehlers isn’t a Hurricane already. Seems a perfect match.
If Ehlers takes less to play elsewhere, the system question will pop up again for Carolina.
Ehlers to CBJ. Address the goaltending issue by scoring even more. XD
I’d take Ehlers over Bjorkstrand any day. His audition in a Bolt sweater was largely underwhelming.
Ehlers can get blank check from CAR or CBJ. or he can figure out if he wants to play in Ovie’s shadow for less money and less pressure… It is good to be Ehlers..
I wonder if Nashville will make a play for him. I think they also have the cap space
If Ehlers were a center I’d throw in money to get him to Nashville.
Tomorrow’s headline “Bill Zito inks Ehlers to 1 year 1.5m contract, he’s expected to fill in for Matthew Tkachuk while on LITR recovering from hernia surgery” lol
Don’t you put that evil out there lol
Probably not likely BUT….how about Colorado? If Necas doesn’t want to resign, you trade him for a top 4 defenseman and draft capital. Could be an interesting and or intriguing possibility! Maybe?
^ Warmer than Winnipeg true
But not by much.
Don’t think guys love Carolina unless you’re a defenseman. Tampa has too much to move around. Columbus is an acquired taste.
Anaheim dark horse here.
But maybe ehlers doesn’t really want to sign in Carolina – then he has to play childish games if they win at home!! lol
I dont like this for the Canes. No overpay, better to make trades. We never replaced Trocheck.
Ehlers was never going to Tampa.
Toronto! For STUPID money! 100%
Ehlers is a decent top 6 winger but I feel he will be grossly overpaid based on this weak free agent class. He’s also been injured a lot in recent years.
Ehlers is enjoying making us wait on this…..and seeing his price tag go up!
Ehlers would fit in the Leafs top 6 but not if he wants more than $7.5 AAV and short term 3 years max.
So, I guess not.
Pretty sure it’s not today anymore. Come on dude your holding up the trade market