The Winnipeg Jets just got some tough news heading into the playoffs. Star winger Nikolaj Ehlers is out week-to-week with a foot injury after a freak collision with an official during Saturday’s game against Chicago.
This couldn’t come at a worse time for the Jets, who are about to start their playoff journey as the NHL’s top regular-season team.
Ehlers has been on fire this year, putting up 63 points in 69 games – good for third on the team in scoring. But now he’s likely to miss at least the first couple playoff games, and maybe the entire first round.
It’s been a rough few years for the Danish forward when it comes to staying healthy. This is the third time in four seasons he’s missed 10 or more games due to injury.
The timing is especially interesting since Ehlers is set to become a free agent this summer after finishing up his seven-year, $42 million contract. There’s a real chance he might have played his last regular-season game in a Jets uniform.
His playoff history hasn’t been great either – just four goals in 37 postseason games. Now he’ll have to watch from the press box as his teammates try to win their first playoff series since 2021.
But it’s not all bad news for Winnipeg.
Gabriel Vilardi, who’s been out since March 23 with an upper-body injury, has been upgraded to day-to-day. He’s had a career year with 61 points in 71 games, playing alongside Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele on the top line.
The Jets still have the NHL’s third-best offense, but losing Ehlers hurts. He’s their best possession player among forwards, controlling 53.3% of shot attempts when he’s on the ice.
Either Alex Iafallo or Nino Niederreiter will need to step up into a bigger role until Ehlers returns – assuming the Jets can advance far enough in the playoffs to see him back in action.
