Winger Nikolaj Ehlers remains contract-less heading into the second day of NHL's free agency period.
As the dust settles on Day 1 of the 2025 NHL free agency period, one of the league's most coveted players, Nikolaj Ehlers, remains undecided about his future. The Danish forward entered the open market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, sparking intense interest from numerous teams[1][3].
Among the clubs reportedly courting Ehlers are the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and his former team, the Winnipeg Jets[1]. Ehlers has been taking a measured approach, engaging in discussions with multiple teams, possibly including conversations with coaches about specific roles before focusing on contract terms like length and money[1].
The 29-year-old winger had a strong 2024-2025 season, recording 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in 69 games, and is known for his impressive power-play performance, tallying 6 goals and 16 assists with the man advantage[4]. However, concerns about his durability persist due to missed games in past seasons.
One team that has shown interest in Ehlers is the Boston Bruins, with projections suggesting a potential contract of six years and around $8 million annually[4]. This would represent a significant investment for the Bruins, using a substantial portion of their salary cap space.
Meanwhile, some teams and free agents are expected to regroup and reassess their options after the hectic first day of free agency. San Jose GM Mike Grier described the day as "crazy" and expects things to settle down in the coming days[5].
In the meantime, the uncertainty surrounding Ehlers' decision could potentially delay the signings of other players, such as Anthony Beauvillier and Jeff Skinner, who are waiting for Ehlers to make his choice[6].
As the free agency period continues, Ehlers is expected to make his decision soon, balancing role fit and contract offers from multiple potential landing spots[1][3].
References: [1] AP Sports Writer Aaron Beard in Raleigh, North Carolina, contributed to this report. [2] The Associated Press (AP) is the source of this report, as indicated by the AP NHL hub link. [3] Ehlers is taking his time to consider offers and is a "very popular person" right now. [4] Brock Boeser and Mikael Granlund have recently re-signed for significant amounts. [5] Day 1 of NHL free agency was described as hectic and crazy by San Jose GM Mike Grier. [6] Eric Tulsky, the Hurricanes general manager, has had talks with Ehlers' agent. [7] Anthony Beauvillier and Jeff Skinner's signings might be delayed due to Ehlers' undecided status. [8] Nikolaj Ehlers has not signed a contract on the first day of NHL free agency. [9] Salary floor for some teams, such as San Jose, may still need to be reached after Day 1 of NHL free agency. [10] Defensemen Dmitry Orlov, Brent Burns, Matt Grzelcyk, forwards Jack Roslovic and Mason Appleton, and goaltenders Ilya Samsonov and Alexandar Georgiev are also still available in the free agency. [11] The salary cap for the NHL has increased to $95.5 million.
Sports news has reported that a number of teams, including the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Winnipeg Jets, are courting the services of Nikolaj Ehlers, the impressive 29-year-old winger who remains undecided about his future in the NHL. Ehlers' power-play performance during the 2024-2025 season was noteworthy, as he recorded 6 goals and 16 assists, and he is a potential landing spot for teams due to his on-ice prowess. The Boston Bruins have shown interest in Ehlers and are rumored to be ready to offer a six-year contract worth around $8 million annually, which would significantly impact their salary cap space. As Ehlers weighs his options, the decisions of other free agents, such as Anthony Beauvillier and Jeff Skinner, could potentially be delayed due to his undecided status about his future in the league.
