With the NHL offseason heating up and the Chicago Blackhawks sitting on a sizable $29.2 million in cap space, the franchise is poised to make bold moves in free agency. Among the most intriguing possibilities is the pursuit of Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers, a skilled and dynamic winger who could bring a new level of offensive firepower to Chicago’s lineup. As his contract expires, Ehlers is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and his reported asking price of $9 million AAV has already sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.

While some question whether he’s worth the hefty sum, Ehlers’ impressive production at even strength and his ability to drive play make him a highly coveted asset. For a Blackhawks team eager to accelerate its rebuild and support emerging star Connor Bedard, Ehlers represents both a calculated risk and a potential game-changer as they look to climb back into playoff contention.

Nikolaj Ehlers

Photo credit: Inside The Rink

The Chicago Blackhawks would benefit from an addition of pending UFA and Winnipeg Jet Nikolaj Ehlers, we now know the asking price that Kyle Davidson could pay for him.

The Chicago Blackhawks have $29.2 million in cap space at the moment. For Kyle Davidson, that should be enough to take care of free agents that he needs on the roster, while adding to the arsenal in July.

One of those weapons could be Danish forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets. He’s a 63-point forward and was a fixture on the Jets’ 2nd line this season.

His $6 million AAV deal expires at the end of the season and will be open for the highest bidder should he walk into free agency.

Entirely depending on if he wants to payout what his demand is now, and what the Blackhawks could shoulder under their cap space: $9 million AAV.

Ehlers may be asking too much for some Winnipeg Jets fans, and GM Cheveldayoff, too.

But for those stat nerds, we have a justification for his pay raise per Garret Hohl of “The Five Hohl”:

Ehlers is the highest 5v5 point producer relative to ice time the Jets have ever had. Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler trail behind. Ehlers has scored 2.25 5v5 points per 60 minutes, compared to 2.06-2.11 for those three.

You don’t happen across that many efficient goal-scorers who have a complete game like Nikolaj Ehlers, who is often underrated when it comes to top wingers in the NHL.

Daniel Sprong may give him a run for the money as far as efficiency, but his lack of two-way play has been his downfall in the NHL.

The Blackhawks could soundly spend $9 million to push the team closer to the playoffs, and Kyle Davidson should seriously consider it.