Ehlers being fast tracked? A Talbot road block and Galchenyuk’s agent cliff’ed …

***

How high should we be aiming for Nikolaj Ehlers next fall?

Of course, he’ll have to make the club first, but with 205 points — 86 goals — over his past 114 games in the QMJHL and no AHL option, it seems like the best move is locking him into a top-six role.

Potentially, even a top-line role alongside Bryan Little and Andrew Ladd. This would require a shift to the right side, as Ehlers has primarily played left wing throughout his time with the Halifax Mooseheads. Ladd and Mathieu Perreault the top-six left side locked up, likely. And with Michael Frolik potentially gone, there is an opening at right wing.

Stepping back, though, Ehlers-Little-Ladd and Blake Wheeler-Mark Scheifele-Perreault is a formidable one-two punch up front.

Kevin LeBlanc recently hit up Ehlers in a recent edition of the Journey, and piggybacking off of his analysis, Ehlers’ freewheeling offensive talents could thrive with the potential open space created by Winnipeg’s relentless and physical forecheck.

A strong camp will make him a late-round flier, but an aggressive reach may yield a significant return. After all, right wing is arguably the weakest forward position, and Ehlers could realistically flirt with 60 points.

How confident and comfortable the Jets are in Ehlers will play out over the summer. Unless they make a move to address their top two lines, it is likely safe to assume they’re ready to let Ehlers loose.