NHL News: Insider Provides Interesting Update on Nik Ehlers Future in Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Jets have a big decision to make when it comes to free-agent forward Nik Ehlers. The speedy winger will be one of the best offensive options on the open market come July 1, unless Jets' GM Kevin Cheveldayoff can get a deal completed before hand.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Ehlers is expected to hit the open market on July 1st, and he'll become a bit of a fallback option for teams who aren't able to get Mitch Marner's attention. 

Like Marner, I'm hearing Ehlers will go to July 1st, and then we'll see. Nobody is confirming he's given Winnipeg an absolute no, or anything like that, but, there's definitely a feeling out there he's going to July 1. And, he's going to see what's out there. I do wonder about a team that's looking on the wing, says 'alright, we're not in the Marner game, and we don't have a shot at Marner, we're just going right to Ehlers.

Ehlers, 29, is coming off a strong season with the Jets, posting 24 goals and 63 points in 69 games. The speedster would add seven points in eight playoff games, and over his career with Winnipeg, has registered 21 points in 45 postseason games. 

Originally a 2014 first-round pick, Ehlers has only played for Winnipeg throughout his 10-year career, and it could be time for both sides to move on from one another.

With a light free-agent market for high-end talent this summer, look for Ehlers to let Marner cash in, and then take a whole bunch of meetings with teams who missed out, and look to cash in on his own. There will be plenty of interest, there's no doubt about it.

Photo credit:   James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images