The Carolina Hurricanes signed the top free agent available during free agency, inking slick-skating winger Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year, $51 million deal worth $8.5 million per season, Wednesday.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported the signing and the Associated Press’s Stephen Whyno was the first to have the terms of the deal.
Ehlers’ signing with the Hurricanes came after the Washington Capitals and Utah Mammoth were reported finalists for his services. The Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, and Tampa Bay Lightning were also rumored to be linked with the star forward throughout the process.
Ehlers decision came after three days of negotiations where the forward did his due diligence and wrenched with the decision. The six-year contract will keep the 29-year-old forward in Raleigh through the 2030-31 season.
The 29-year-old, Aalborg, Denmark native posted 63 points (24g, 39a) in 69 games last season as a member of the Winnipeg Jets, marking his fourth career 60-point campaign. Ehlers scored five goals in eight playoff games as the Jets were eliminated in the second round by the Dallas Stars.
With Ehlers off the board, the teams that missed out on the Dane’s services could look to fulfill their offseason needs via trade as reported by Chris Johnston. Anthony Beauvillier remains unsigned, and the Capitals had interest in bringing back the bottom six winger.
