Winnipeg Jets Select Nikolaj Ehlers

June 28, 2014 by

Winnipeg Jets Select Nikolaj Ehlers in the 1st Round —

The results are in and what was expected to be wide open and interesting 1st round certainly was. The Winnipeg Jets got themselves a terrific prospect at #9.  Like many others, I didn’t expect Nikolaj Ehlers to be around at the #9 spot.  Winnipeg Hockey Talk had him ranked at #7.  TSN’s Craig Button had him at #6, ESPN’s Corey Pronman had him at #5, The Hockey Writers also had him at #6 so all in all I think the Winnipeg Jets did pretty well to get Ehlers at #9. 

Ehlers150About Nikolaj Ehlers:

Nikolaj Ehlers was a rookie in the QMJHL and finished 4th in league scoring making his scoring line even more impressive.  Add in another 28 points in the playoffs and that makes 132 points in 79 games.  Very impressive numbers!

League:  QMJHL     Team:  Halifax Mooseheads  

Position:  LW      Shoots:  Left

DOB:  Feb. 13, 1996     Birthplace:  Aalborg, Denmark 

Height:  5’11     Weight:  163

Regular Season:

2013-14  Stats:  Games: 63   G: 49   A:  55  Pts: 104  PIM: 51   Plus/Minus:  65

Playoffs:

2013-14  Stats:  Games: 16   G: 11   A:  17  Pts: 28  PIM: 18   Plus/Minus:  na

Achievements:  

1.  Represented Denmark at the World U18 D1A, and 2014 U20 D1A WJHC. 

2.  Drafted in the 1st round, number 6 overall in the CHL Import Draft by the  Halifax Mooseheads.

3.  Drafted in the 4th, 127th overall in the KHL Draft by Avangard Omsk.

4.  Played for Team Orr at the CHL Top Prospects game.

5.  Drafted 9th overall in the 1st round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.

ETA:

It is more than likely he will return to Halifax for one more season and I would think his ETA in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets would be the 2016-17 NHL season.  One more full year back in junior and probably one full year in the AHL would be my first guess but he could surprise and make the jump to the NHL for the 2015-16 season as he already has NHL skill and skating ability.  

Like all young players, he will need to work on his defensive game and needs time to physically mature but make no mistake Nik Ehlers is a high end offensive talent.  Like all prospects, time will tell if Ehlers can transition his terrific offensive game at the NHL level.  

Projection:

Look for Nikolaj Ehlers to be in the Jets “Top 6” forwards and on the 1st or 2nd unit powerplay within 3-4 years.    

Winnipeg Hockey Talk’s Original Draft Analysis for Nikolaj Ehlers

(Feb.21, 2014)

Offensive Buzzwords  

Nikolaj Ehlers is an extremely skilled versatile playmaking left winger with good vision and passing ability.  His combination of speed, agility, quickness, great hands and a very good wrist shot make him a very dangerous offensive weapon. 

Video Scouting Report:

Skating

Nikolaj Ehlers  is an outstanding skater with very good speed, agility and quickness.  He uses his speed and quickness going wide on defenders making him very tough to defend of the rush.  Ehlers is considered to be one of the fastest skaters in the 2014 draft class.

Defensive Buzzwords

Nikolaj Ehlers is continuing to work on playing a solid 2-way game.

Prospect Analysis 

Nikolaj Ehlers has above average speed and skill.  He isn’t very big or very heavy at this time but he doesn’t play a timid game.   He has come a long way up the draft rankings and is projecting as a  Top 10 pick.

2013-14 Highlight video:  6:37

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