Three Reasons Nikolaj Ehlers Will have a Big Year for the Winnipeg Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers seems primed to reach new heights in his seventh full season with the Winnipeg Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers remains one of the Winnipeg Jets’ best players, but can he take it further? In the 2022-23 preseason, he is showing that he may have found another gear.
Following his strong preseason performance, Nikolaj Ehlers seems primed to reach new heights in his seventh full season with the Winnipeg Jets. This isn’t to say that he isn’t among the Jets’ elites, but he hasn’t necessarily been able to fully take that next step.
In the 2021-22 season with the Winnipeg Jets, Ehlers registered 55 points in 62 games. Despite finishing fifth in team scoring, his season was often punctuated by questions about his deployment. As a new season approaches, those questions could be answered by a new coaching staff.
Here are three reasons why Ehlers will have a big year for the Jets:
First Line Minutes
In the past several seasons, Ehlers has found himself stapled to the second line. If the 2022-23 preseason is any indication, it appears that trend is now over.
On a line with Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, Ehlers has recorded five points in his three preseason games. Points aside, he looks as crafty and fast as ever. One of his main strengths over his NHL career has been his ability to carve through the neutral zone, attacking the opposing team’s blue line. This creates a higher possibility of time in the attacking zone, which can benefit both him and his linemates.
Ehlers has deserved a shot as a top-line winger for the past several years. After finding himself behind Blake Wheeler for multiple seasons, it appears it’s finally time for them to switch places.
Playing on the First Powerplay Unit
Ehlers appears destined to work on the top powerplay unit for many of the same reasons. His offensive skill fits perfectly on a unit that sees the most ice time.
Similar to his situation on the second line, Ehlers has often been buried on the second powerplay unit. On some teams, this would be fine as it would give two legitimately dangerous groups to work with.
Unfortunately for Ehlers, the top unit rarely left the ice. Long shifts often minimized the impact of the second unit, leading to a diminished level of production. There are top and bottom units for a reason, but the discrepancy between the two impacted players like Ehlers who were unable to contribute as much.
Currently doing some research on the 2021-22 #NHLJets powerplay deployment to see how drastic the difference was between the two units.
— Brian Finlayson (@YWGBrian) October 8, 2022
Ehlers getting PP1 time this year is massive, especially given last season's usage.
(2021-22 data from @NatStatTrick) pic.twitter.com/hfMWgBWhCi
As the tweet shows, the difference is apparent between the two (NaturalStatTrick). The Jets stacked the top unit and played them for a minute or more on average. The long shifts are notable as well, as that takes away any opportunity for the second unit to establish an attack. Powerplay or not, Rick Bowness has made it clear that long shifts aren’t acceptable, as the fatigue it causes leads to turnovers
Assuming new coach Rick Bowness continues to favor the top unit, Ehlers should see immediate results.
New Coaching and Leadership Group
One of the most notable changes from last season is the new coaching staff. Now led by Rick Bowness, the Jets appear to be changing up their systems. Bowness favors activating the defense and creating a transition game.
There are few players in the league who could benefit more from a transition strategy than Nikolaj Ehlers. His game is built on using his speed to carry the puck through the neutral zone, and the new Bowness systems should only allow him to do it more.
The coaching staff isn’t the only shift in leadership, as the Jets enter the season without a captain. Instead, they’ve chosen to enter the year with three assistant captains. With Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey retaining their assistant captaincies, there appears to be an “A” up for grabs.
Ehlers could be in line to step up as the new assistant and help to provide a re-vamped leadership culture. As he enters his seventh season, he can help to usher in new talent while still being an effective player himself.
Nikolaj Ehlers will undoubtedly be a big part of the Winnipeg Jets’ success in 2022-23, and the Jets will be better for it. Jets fans know they have one of the most electrifying players in the NHL and 2022-23 could take that to a whole new level.
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