Nikolaj Ehlers` free agency saga is over.
The Danish forward is moving from the Winnipeg Jets to the Carolina Hurricanes, having inked a six-year contract valued at $51 million, according to the team`s announcement on Thursday.
The 29-year-old winger spent his entire professional tenure with the Jets organization after being drafted ninth overall in 2014.
Last season, he recorded 24 goals and 39 assists across 69 games, contributing to the Jets securing their inaugural Presidents` Trophy. In the playoffs, Ehlers tallied five goals and two assists over eight appearances, joining the post-season lineup late after recovering from an injury.
Over his 674 career games, Ehlers ranks seventh in his draft class in total points with 515 (225 goals and 290 assists).
Standing six feet tall and weighing 172 pounds, he has reached the 60-point mark four times in his career, despite averaging only 16 minutes and 26 seconds of ice time and frequently being limited to the second power-play unit in Winnipeg.
His previous contract, which began in the 2018-19 season, was a six-year agreement totaling $42 million, carrying an average annual value of $6 million.
Ehlers now moves to Carolina, reinforcing a team that has advanced to the Eastern Conference Final twice in the last three seasons.
Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky commented on the signing, stating, “Nikolaj was the premier unrestricted free agent available on July 1, and we are pleased he selected Carolina as his destination. He is a highly talented and speedy winger who will seamlessly integrate into our forward lines.”
Duncan Priestley