James Carey Lauder — USA TODAY Sports
Capitals Trade Targets: Does Ehlers Make Sense? Breaking It Down With Jets Potentially Shopping Winger Going Into Draft
According to The Athletic's Murat Ates, the Winnipeg Jets could shop Nikolaj Ehlers ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, given the team could be looking to change its direction while an extension for him remains questionable. Could a potential landing spot be the Washington Capitals?
Ehlers is coming off a strong year with the Jets, posting 25 goals and 36 assists in 82 games while leading Winnipeg in points-per-60 at 5-on-5 (2.63), and he has been the steadiest supplier of offense in Manitoba over the course of his contract; as Ates points out, he had led the team in points per minute of ice time for the entirety of his deal.
That said, Ehlers fits the bill of what the Capitals are looking for: a consistent goal-scorer between 25-30 who makes the most of his ice time. If given more responsibility and minutes, Ehlers could certainly thrive, as has been the case in D.C. with Dylan Strome over the last two seasons.
Ehlers has seven 20-goal seasons under his belt, with the only years he didn't hit that mark being his rookie season and the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 campaign. He is a consistent performer who makes his linemates better, and he takes good care of the puck as well. He can also bolster any club's special teams.
Looking at the Capitals, they need a proven, consistent scoring winger to help provide offense. Washington struggled greatly over the course of the year to get goals on 5-on-5, and the power play also needs a new X-Factor following the departures of Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha.
Not only that, but with T.J. Oshie potentially not returning for 2023-24 and Max Pacioretty all but certain to test the free agent market, D.C. will need another winger to help fill the void.
Ehlers has a cap hit of $6 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Like Marner, the Dane would be a core member of another team getting a change in scenery, and D.C. could benefit from his presence. It would take a bit to make a deal happen, but having one year left on his contract could work in Washington's favor.
As for what Winnipeg would want in return, Ates cites the need for draft capital, a defenseman with upside and/or a power-forward type of player, all of which D.C. has to spare in the system. It's making sure that the price is right, though, and that the team is not giving up too much for a forward with only one more year on his deal that isn't guaranteed to re-sign.
It'd be interesting to pull off, but without a doubt, the Capitals could benefit from calling at the very least.
