Hurricanes Sign Ehlers to Six-Year, $51M Deal

Nikolaj Ehlers, a 29-year-old Danish winger who spent ten seasons with the Winnipeg Jets, has signed a six-year, $51 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, carrying an $8.5 million annual cap hit through 2031. Ehlers, one of the most sought-after unrestricted free agents, has tallied 225 goals and 520 points in 674 NHL games and is expected to strengthen Carolina’s offense as the team seeks to advance past the Eastern Conference final. His contract is the most lucrative among UFAs changing teams this offseason, surpassing Brock Boeser’s extension and ranking second in total value only to K’Andre Miller’s sign-and-trade to Carolina. The Hurricanes have further bolstered their roster with additional key signings in pursuit of a deeper playoff run. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks made significant moves to reach the salary cap floor by signing Dmitry Orlov and claiming Nick Leddy off waivers. Ehlers is projected to play a prominent role in Carolina’s scoring hierarchy alongside established stars.