Lou Lamoriello trying to make blockbuster deal for star forward

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Josh Tupper
May 26, 2024 (9:34)

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After losing to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Winnipeg Jets enter the summer with more questions than answers.

Although their season came to an unsatisfactory conclusion, the Jets must move on and concentrate on the draft and free agency in July. There are a number of pending UFAs for the Jets, including Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli. It's unknown what their futures will entail, but one more Jet may be dealt out of Manitoba in the near future.

The guy in question is Nikolaj Ehlers, a Danish forward who may use a new start somewhere. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently made a connection between the forward and the New York Islanders.

"Also on the Islanders, I'm curious if they eventually move their first-round pick for someone like Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers."

Ehlers, 28, made a comeback in 2023�24 after being limited to just 45 games the season before due to injuries. This season, Ehlers played in 82 games and finished with 61 points (25 goals, 36 assists), 29 penalty minutes, and a plus-27 rating.

If the Jets make the forward available, teams seeking for some secondary scoring will be interested in signing Ehlers, so the Islanders won't be the only team vying for his services this summer. There has one year left on Ehlers' deal, which has a $6 million cap hit and an altered no-trade clause.

Many are intrigued about what Ehlers could get in a trade, and whether it could be a first-round pick, as Pagnotta is speculating about, given his impressive comeback season. It will be interesting to watch how the trade market plays out in the upcoming weeks and whether a team makes Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff an offer he can't turn down.

Source - The Fourth Period: ULLMARK LEADS HOT GOALIE MARKET; MARNER WANTS TO STAY