Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers leaves game after collision with official

Winnipeg Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers left Saturday’s contest against the Central Division rival Chicago Blackhawks midway through the second period following an awkward collision with a linesman.

Prior to his exit, Ehlers had skated 11 shifts in just over nine minutes of ice time. In all, it marked just the second game back for Ehlers following a two-game absence due to a foot injury. Entering Saturday action, the 29-year-old Danish-born forward had made 68 appearances with the Jets this season in which he had notched 24 goals and 39 assists to rank third in team scoring with 63 points.

Originally chosen ninth overall by Winnipeg in the 2014 NHL Draft, Ehlers has since played 10 seasons with the Jets in which he has amassed 225 goals and 295 assists for 520 points. The 2024-25 campaign marks the fourth season Ehlers has reached the 60-point plateau, while he now stands only two points shy of surpassing his career-high 64-point finish that came in 2016-17. Of note, Ehlers has also added four goals and 10 assists for 14 points through 37 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Per PuckPedia, Ehlers is in the final year of a seven-year contract that carries a $6-million annual average value and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this coming offseason.

For the Jets, entering Saturday’s contest the club stood atop the NHL standings with a 54-21-4 record and 112 points. Should the club secure at least three more points, it will mark Winnipeg’s best-ever regular season showing following a 114-point record in 2017-18. Late last month, the Jets became just the second team this season – and first from the Western Conference – to punch their ticket to the upcoming postseason. Since returning to the Manitoba capital in 2011-12, the Jets have qualified for the playoffs seven times including each of the past two seasons.