Long-Term Extension, Please

I had a number of thoughts as Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers struck the pose in the image after scoring the overtime game-winning goal against the Washington Capitals. The first was that he was doing the same move as Russell Crowe's character Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 drama Gladiator as he exclaimed, "Are you not entertained?" to the gladiatorial arena crowd. But as I watched the video of Ehlers scoring a couple more times, I started to see another message: "my next contract should be this big". The Jets would be wise to act on that message sooner than later because it's clear that Nikolaj Ehlers is an important factor in this team's success.

Make no mistake that the Jets have a number of players who can break open a game at any point, but Ehlers seems to find a way to elevate his game at times to new heights despite playing less minutes than some of the other snipers on the roster. Advanced stats aside, the 29 year-old Dane has already matched his point total from one year ago, sits three back of his career-high in points, and is five goals shy of his career-high in that statistic as well.

Watching this goal again and again, you see how well he reads the play, how his explosive speed is an absolute asset to this team, and how his shot is both accurate and lethal. Here's the game-winner.
For a guy who averages 23 goals and 53 points per season, you might wonder why he'd be deserving of a big pay day, but plays like the one above are why he's vitally important to this team. Nikolaj Ehlers does what only a handful of other players in the NHL can do.

In the three seasons where Ehlers has played more than 80 games, he's scored more than 60 points. In 2020-21, he skated in 47 games and posted 46 points, and, in 2022-23, Ehlers dressed for 45 games and had 38 points. He's a consistent scorer for the Jets while playing alongside Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti who have had their struggles with consistency, so his totals are even more impressive in that regard. He's third in team scoring despite playing the least number of games of all of the top-nine forwards, so that has to count for something, right? It would in my books if I were the GM.

Some of those who feel that Ehlers isn't as important to the Jets as other players will say, "He's only scored four goals in 37 playoff games" while smirking proudly about that statistic. That number isn't wrong, but one has to ask if this team is better with or without Ehlers? Can the Jets find someone on the open market who would cost less to do what Ehlers does? The answer to that is no, and we can look at players like Jake DeBrusk, Tyler Toffoli, and Teuvo Teravainen as comparables when it comes to Ehlers' new contract.

Jake DeBrusk has scored 27 goals and 50 points as career-highs. He got $5,500,000 per year from the Vancouver Canucks.

Tyler Toffoli has 34 goals and 73 points as career-highs. He got $6,000,000 per campaign from the San Jose Sharks.

Teuvo Teravainen has 25 goals and 76 points as career-highs. He got $5,400,000 per season from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Ehlers is earning $6 million annually, but it's hard to look at any of those three players who have comparable statistics and ages and think the Jets would be better with them over Nikolaj Ehlers. They wouldn't be, and it's clearly evident based on this season.

That being said, I'm also not saying that I believe Ehlers is more valuable than Connor Hellebuyck, and it's debatable that he's more valuable than Mark Scheifele. Those two are the highest-earning Jets, but it seems pretty clear that a small bump in Ehlers' annual salary shouldn't be anything to prevent the Jets from signing another long-term extension. Nikolaj Ehlers has earned that bump.

After watching him turn on the jets down the wing and snap that puck home with authority, it's hard not to like what Nikolaj Ehlers brings to the ice every time he comes over the boards. He doesn't have to be the most physical player if he's scoring goals as often as he this season, but when he's locked in and focused on his task, the man is pure excitement when he touches the puck. Hockey is an expensive form of entertainment, but Nikolaj Ehlers gives Jets fans a legitimate reason to stand and cheer whenever he's on the ice.

Please sign Nikolaj Ehlers to an extension, Kevin Cheveldayoff. When the Great Dane is flying down the wing and denting twine, it's hard not to ask the famous question, "Are you not entertained?"

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!