Winnipeg Jets star forward Nikolaj Ehlers has been widely mentioned in recent trade rumors this summer as he heads into his contract year.
The 28-year-old Nikolaj Ehlers has one year remaining on the $42 million extension he signed in 2017. Though Winnipeg would love to keep him in a Jets uniform for life, GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would be wise to deal Ehlers and address a greater organizational need.
Scoring is not an issue for the Jets, who had four 60-point players in 2023-24. Though they allowed the fewest goals during the regular season, that was largely thanks to the play of Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck.
According to MoneyPuck.com, Hellebuyck led all goalies with 33.1 goals saved above expected. When it came to the postseason, Hellebuyck was unable to single-handedly lead Winnipeg past a deeper Colorado Avalanche squad, who eliminated the Jets in five games in the opening round of the playoffs.
So the Jets unquestionably need to upgrade their defense, and there’s a top team out east that might be willing to do business. That team would be the Boston Bruins, who are loaded with quality defensemen but short on game-changing forwards.
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Though Boston signed ex-Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm in free agency, they also lost two key forwards in Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen in free agency. If Boston wants to compete for a Stanley Cup in 2024-25, they need to dangle one of their top-four defensemen for a scoring forward.
What Bruins Should Offer Jets For Nikolaj Ehlers Trade
The Bruins should offer the Jets hulking 6-foot-6 defenseman Brandon Carlo and a 2025 first-round pick to Winnipeg in exchange for Ehlers and a 2026 second-round pick.
Bosto may be getting the better player here in Ehlers, but shutdown defensemen are much harder to find. The swap of a first-rounder for a second-rounder balances out the trade for both teams.
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