NHL Insider Reveals the Salary It Will Take to Sign Nikolaj Ehlers

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers will be an open-market player, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported, and among the better wingers available on the market this summer.

The 29-year-old just completed a seven-year deal worth $6 million annually and put up a good season with 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in 69 games for the Jets. He added five goals and two assists in eight playoff games.

Ehlers is the one who can be relied upon to be among the most coveted free agents besides Mitch Marner. With Marner set to hold out for over $14 million per year, Ehlers is a cheaper, albeit still an elite option on the wing.

According to NHL insider James Mirtle, Ehlers could command over $9 million annually in free agency. That amount could be enough to dissuade some franchises, especially considering his health concerns.

Ehlers has appeared in a complete 82-game season only three times during his first 10 seasons and has missed significant time due to injury in many campaigns.

Even so, when healthy, he's a proven offensive threat and a seasoned power-play specialist, as six of his 24 goals this season were on the man advantage.

The Islanders, among others, have been heavily involved in rumors lately, and could be a suitable match for Ehlers, as they desperately need a dynamic goal-scoring winger.

While not at Marner's level of production, Ehlers brings top-line quality and a more acceptable cap hit, provided teams are comfortable with the term and medical history.

Winnipeg, in the meantime, will lose him for free unless a sign-and-trade is achieved in the next few weeks.