5. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW, 23 years old, Winnipeg Jets
Pros
Nikolaj Ehlers is a dynamic weapon and capable of solidifying our need to add a proven goal scorer to the team. His career average in Corsi and Fenwick are both well over 52%, and he has yet to be a negative possession player. He has the speed Murray covets and the high-level skill set that is thriving in today’s NHL. Further, Ehlers has proven to be useful on the power-play and, at only 23 years old, he has the potential to become an even better player.
Cons
Ehlers isn’t the biggest player and he missed 20 games this season due to injury. He did play a full 82 games the previous two seasons, so injuries are not a huge concern and not something habitual. Anaheim’s Ondrej Kase is a similarly built player and his physical ailments since entering the league could make Murray tentative on ponying up the pieces required to acquire the young stud.
Ehler’s doesn’t have a large sample size in playoffs, as Winnipeg has only made the postseason twice since he’s been on the roster, but his production has been middling. He has failed to score a goal in 21 postseason contest and has only managed 7 assists.
Why He’s Available
Players of Ehler’s caliber don’t often become available, especially when they’re only 23 years old. After missing extended time this season and the team fairing well without him, he is seen as a movable asset. As mentioned above, his skills have yet to translate to the postseason and his goose egg in this year’s tournament definitely left the Jets front-office wondering if he’s part of their future.