Nikolaj Ehlers signed a six-year, $51 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. It has an average annual value of $8.5 million. The 29-year-old forward had 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in 69 regular-season games for the Winnipeg Jets last season and seven points (five goals, two assists) in eight Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The Carolina Hurricanes have made the NHL playoffs every season since 2019, with all but one of those appearances including the conference semis or finals. As consistently good as they have been, they have missed that one player who can help put them over the top and cash their ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Nikolaj Ehlers is making everyone wait. The Winnipeg Jets star winger, expected to leave in free agency, has yet to sign a new contract. Reports indicated that he was down to just two teams, the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes.

Nikolaj Ehlers is heading to Carolina. After taking his time weighing free agent options, the former Winnipeg Jets forward has signed a six-year, $51 million deal ($8.5 million AAV) with the Hurricanes,