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The Winnipeg Jets had an exceedingly up-and-down 2022-23 season. They had a powerful first half, suffered a protracted slide within the second half, recovered from it simply in time to squeak into the playoffs, then had been shortly dispatched within the first spherical by the Vegas Golden Knights.
In this collection, we’ll have a look again on the season, participant by participant, and grade their particular person performances with a watch towards their future with the staff.
Nikolaj Ehlers‘ season started with him missing time after undergoing sports hernia surgery. Upon his return he showed flashes of his usual self, but at times struggled to put together a stretch of good games.
Nikolaj Ehlers’ Injuries Disrupted Rhythm
Whether it was the harm early on within the season or the one he battled again from in an effort to play in Game 5 of the Jets’ first-round collection towards the Edmonton Oilers, Ehlers spent a whole lot of time knocking off the rust this season, which prevented him from establishing a rhythm. However, when he was within the lineup, he posted a powerful 12 targets and 38 factors in 45 video games.
Related: Jets 2022-23 Report Cards: Nino Niederreiter
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? Yes, however this was by far essentially 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 go together with 4 playoff video games. However, if he can keep wholesome subsequent season, he needs to be his standard point-producing, shot-metric-dominating self.
On April 11, Ehlers was on the fallacious finish of a reverse hit from Minnesota Wild ahead Ryan Hartman, who was suspended for one regular-season game. Ehlers missed time within the postseason, whereas Hartman went on to attain a couple of key targets towards the Dallas Stars of their first-round collection.
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
| Corsi % | 54.24 | 56.58 |
| Expected targets % | 52.73 | 54.94 |
| High Danger Chance % | 48.44 | 56.02 |
Despite the accidents, Ehlers was nonetheless a pressure when he was within the lineup. Per Natural Stat Trick, not solely did he enhance in shot metrics, however he was capable of management most pictures and possibilities at even power. He has all the time been an analytical darling, however his capacity to enhance on these numbers whereas clearly out of rhythm was spectacular.
Ehlers Projects as Clear of a Potential Trade
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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Yes, Ehlers was unable to swimsuit 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 midst of the season. He has discovered chemistry up and down the lineup, forming one of many Jets’ finest line mixtures with Vladislav Namestnikov and Blake Wheeler final season, two gamers who struggled with out him.
He is in his prime at 27 years outdated, so if the Jets are avoiding a rebuild, which has been reported by Elliotte Freidman, then there isn’t a purpose to maneuver on from him.
That brings us to his last grade. As has been stated many instances, Ehlers was one of many higher forwards within the Jets’ prime six this season. However, he was unable to remain wholesome, which knocks his grade down a couple of tiers. As the saying goes, “The best ability is availability,” and he was solely accessible 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 seemingly rise to the B+/A- vary. Next season, hopefully, he contribute at an analogous stage offensively over a full 82-game schedule.
Final Grade: B
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