The Winnipeg Jets had an exceedingly up-and-down 2022-23 season. That they had a robust first half, suffered a chronic slide within the second half, recovered from it simply in time to squeak into the playoffs, then had been rapidly dispatched within the first spherical by the Vegas Golden Knights.
On this collection, we’ll have a look again on the season, participant by participant, and grade their particular person performances with an eye fixed towards their future with the group.
Nikolaj Ehlers‘ season began with him lacking time after present process sports activities hernia surgical procedure. Upon his return he confirmed flashes of his typical self, however at instances struggled to place collectively a stretch of excellent video games.
Nikolaj Ehlers’ Accidents Disrupted Rhythm
Whether or not it was the harm early on within the season or the one he battled again from with a purpose to play in Sport 5 of the Jets’ first-round collection in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers, Ehlers spent numerous time knocking off the rust this season, which prevented him from establishing a rhythm. Nevertheless, when he was within the lineup, he posted a formidable 12 objectives and 38 factors in 45 video games.
Some followers started to label Ehlers as injury-prone, which is recency bias at its most interesting. Does he miss a couple of video games each season? Sure, however this was by far probably the most time he’s missed in a single marketing campaign. He had by no means missed greater than 20 video games in a season earlier than this one.
He missed 37 this season to associate with 4 playoff video games. Nevertheless, if he can keep wholesome subsequent season, he ought to be his typical point-producing, shot-metric-dominating self. Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
On April 11, Ehlers was on the flawed finish of a reverse hit from Minnesota Wild ahead Ryan Hartman, who was suspended for one regular-season sport. Ehlers missed time within the postseason, whereas Hartman went on to attain a couple of key objectives in opposition to the Dallas Stars of their first-round collection.
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
| Corsi % | 54.24 | 56.58 |
| Anticipated objectives % | 52.73 | 54.94 |
| Excessive Hazard Probability % | 48.44 | 56.02 |
Regardless of the accidents, Ehlers was nonetheless a pressure when he was within the lineup. Per Pure Stat Trick, not solely did he enhance in shot metrics, however he was in a position to management most pictures and probabilities at even energy. He has all the time been an analytical darling, however his potential to enhance on these numbers whereas clearly out of rhythm was spectacular.
Ehlers Tasks as Away from a Potential Commerce
Ehlers’ $6 million contract doesn’t expire till 2025-26, which is an asset for the group, since Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, and Brenden Dillon, amongst others, all have their contracts expiring on the finish of subsequent season.
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Sure, Ehlers was unable to go well with up for roughly half of the season, however he confirmed that when he’s within the lineup he can nonetheless produce at a excessive stage, regardless of present process surgical procedure and recovering in the course of the season. He has discovered chemistry up and down the lineup, forming one of many Jets’ greatest line mixtures with Vladislav Namestnikov and Blake Wheeler final season, two gamers who struggled with out him.
He’s in his prime at 27 years previous, so if the Jets are avoiding a rebuild, which has been reported by Elliotte Freidman, then there is no such thing as a cause to maneuver on from him.
That brings us to his last grade. As has been mentioned many instances, Ehlers was one of many higher forwards within the Jets’ high six this season. Nevertheless, he was unable to remain wholesome, which knocks his grade down a couple of tiers. Because the saying goes, “The very best potential is availability,” and he was solely obtainable for half of the season.
Given his contribution within the 45 video games performed, a B grade appears truthful. Had he performed 65+ video games, his grade would possible rise to the B+/A- vary. Subsequent season, hopefully, he contribute at an analogous stage offensively over a full 82-game schedule.