It took a few extra days, adding to the suspense, but for the Carolina Hurricanes it was worth the wait.
The Canes on Thursday signed free-agent forward Nikolaj Ehlers, a proven point-producer they believe can bolster the lineup and help them better contend for a Stanley Cup.
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Ehlers agreed on a six-year contract that will pay him an average of $8.5 million per season.
Ehlers, 29, has played for the Winnipeg Jets the past 10 seasons and been steadily productive, finishing with 20 or more goals eight times. He had 63 points in 69 games this past season, finishing with 24 goals and 39 assists as the Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy, and added seven points in eight playoff games.
“Nikolaj was the top free agent available on July 1, and we are proud that he’s chosen to make Carolina his home,” Canes general manager Eric Tulsky said in a statement. “He’s a highly-skilled winger who can really skate and will fit very well with our forward group.”
A first-round pick by the Jets in 2014, the Denmark native has more than 700 games of regular-season and playoff experience.
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Ehlers, finishing up a seven-year contract that paid him $6 million a season, was considered one of the best unsigned free agents, but continued to weigh the offers after free agency began on Tuesday.
Tulsky said late Tuesday afternoon that negotiations continued with Ehlers’ agent and that there had been multiple conversations.
“He’s taking his time to field offers,” Tulsky said Tuesday. “He’s obviously a very popular person right now.”
Apr 1, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) skates with the puck during the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena.
By Tuesday afternoon, some media outlets were reporting Ehlers would decide between the Canes and Washington Capitals, two Metro Division rivals who went head-to-head in the playoffs this year.
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The Canes had three three players leave in free agency: defenseman Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov, and forward Jack Roslovic. Burns signed a one-year deal with Colorado on Wednesday, and Orlov a two-year contract Thursday with the San Jose Sharks.
The Canes picked up defenseman K’Andre Miller in a Tuesday trade with the New York Rangers after Miller signed an eight-year, $60 milion contract.
Tulsly and his management team then turned their attention to Ehlers.
Ehlers will join Canes goalie Frederik Andersen on Team Denmark in the 2026 Milan Olympics, it has been announced. If he needed any inside intel on the Canes, he could turn to Andersen or Jets teammate Nino Niederreiter, a former Canes forward.
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Winnipeg bowed out of the playoffs this year, Ehlers competed for Denmark in the 2025 World Championship played in Denmark and Sweden.
Although born in Denmark, Ehlers’ family was often on the move in his chlldhood. His father, Heinz, played professionally in Europe and then coached in Switzerland.