Ehlers and the Carolina Hurricanes agreed to a six-year, $51 million contract in free agency on Friday, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. The 29-year-old hit free agency after his previous seven-year, $42 million contract with the Jets expired following the 2024-25 season.

Nikolaj Ehlers is heading to Carolina. After taking his time weighing free agent options, the former Winnipeg Jets forward has signed a six-year, $51 million deal ($8.5 million AAV) with the Hurricanes, according to NHL insider Frank Seravalli.

The Carolina Hurricanes signed free agent forward Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year contract with a $8.5 million cap hit on Thursday. Ehlers had spent his entire 10-year NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets, registering 225 goals and 295 assists over 674 games. He ranks fifth all-time for the Jets in career goals and assists.