Elliotte Friedman Reveals Concerning Winnipeg Jets Update Regarding Nikolaj Ehlers

The Winnipeg Jets splashed big with a signing, inking three-time Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Jonathan Toews to a contract loaded with bonuses.

Worth a base salary of $2 million but with a potential payout of up to $7 million based on performance, it's a homecoming years in the making for the proud Winnipeg native.

Toews' close personal relationships with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and True North chairman Mark Chipman also played important roles in sealing the deal. What does Toews' signing mean for Nikolaj Ehlers, though?

There are two opposing explanations. One is that committing $7 million of cap space to Toews' potential bonuses might constrict the monetary lifestyle of Winnipeg, potentially necessitating the displacement of Ehlers if his asking price is too high.

The other? If Ehlers is eager to stay and the Jets are prepared to offer in the area of $8.5 million, there is room to include him.

Insider Elliotte Friedman offered a different perspective: he believes some of the Jets' sales pitch to Ehlers was that Toews would be there, and that the two of them would get the chance to play together.

But Friedman suggested that he doesn't know if that's going to work. It's a gamble in the eyes of the Jets, relying upon Toews' leadership and chemistry to influence Ehlers' decision.

As for Ehlers himself, he's said nothing about his future. He's always talked positively about Winnipeg and the team, but said nothing else, choosing to remain private.

His silence is keeping everything an option. Does he want to stay? Only time and the perfect offer will tell.