There was nothing the Winnipeg Jets could say or do to ensure Nikolaj Ehlers remained in Navy blue for life. “(My leaving Winnipeg) was inevitable,” Ehlers said on a Saturday morning Zoom call. “I told (Jets management),

Nikolaj Ehlers just wanted a fresh start. After spending his entire career with the Winnipeg Jets, the star forward signed a six-year, $51-million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.

The Carolina Hurricanes signed free agent forward Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year contract with a $8.5 million cap hit on Thursday. Ehlers had spent his entire 10-year NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets, registering 225 goals and 295 assists over 674 games. He ranks fifth all-time for the Jets in career goals and assists.