With four games remaining in the San Jose Sharks season, attention is turning to GM Mike Grier’s actions during the 2025 off-season.
2025 will mark the Sharks GM’s fifth off-season since being hired. According to experts, the prospect pool he’s built for the Sharks is considered the best in the league. While the Sharks could pick No. 1 overall for the second straight year, they must be active during free agency.
Grier has said he intends to spend but will not risk buyer’s remorse with lengthy, expensive contracts he considers high-risk.
Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers should be a player the Sharks go after on July 1. Here are the reasons why:
Get Macklin Celebrini a high-octane offensive winger
Ehlers is an elite skater who has consistently hovered around 30 goals a season. Although Ehlers hasn’t eclipsed the 30-goal threshold, he’s often been a point-a-game player in his career.
The speedy winger needs two points in the Jets’ final three games to pass his career-high of 64 points. He’s dealt with some injury issues in his career, but his production has never dropped.
EHLERS WINS IT IN OVERTIME!! ✈️
— NHL (@NHL) March 26, 2025
In a race for the Presidents' Trophy, the @NHLJets defeat the Capitals in @Energizer overtime! pic.twitter.com/iui4pjxuoD
While it is nice to see Will Smith and Celebrini’s chemistry on the same line, the Sharks still view Smith as a center. Smith will play out the rest of the season on the wing but will likely move back to the middle in 25-26.
Tyler Toffoli and Celebrini have shown chemistry throughout the season. Toffoli has played right wing in almost every game he’s played. Ehlers is a lefty and primarily a left wing. Ehlers and Toffoli were also teammates during the 23-24 season after Toffoli was traded to Winnipeg.
In 67 games this season, Ehlers has 24 goals, 39 assists, and is +14. For his career, Ehlers is +106 in 672 games. He’s often been on the Jets’ second line behind Kyle Connor, and if he gets top-line minutes with the Sharks, he could shatter his career highs.
Ehlers fits a Sharks need at 29 years old.
At 29 years old, Ehlers fits the window for a semi-long-term contract for the San Jose Sharks. The Danish forward is a February birthday, meaning he wouldn’t turn 30 until over halfway through next season.
The Jets forward is completing a seven-year contract with an AAV of $6 million, so he’s due for a pay raise.
BOOOOOOOOOM 💥 pic.twitter.com/m2sF3KgP1i
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 23, 2025
While Grier might be hesitant to give Ehlers another seven-year deal, he can offer a five-year contract with a higher AAV. The San Jose Sharks are expected to have over $40 million in cap space, so they can afford to overspend slightly.
If Ehlers hits the open free-agent market on July 1, a potential contract offer could be five years with an AAV of $8.5 million.
Grier has already shown he’s willing to overspend for the right player. Alexander Wennberg signed a two-year contract with an AAV of $5 million, the highest AAV he’s signed for.
Grier and the Sharks will focus on defense this off-season, but adding a top winger like Nikolaj Ehlers should be a priority.
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