Jets Divisional Rival Reportedly 'In Big' On Star Nikolaj Ehlers

The free agency market this summer is expected to be slim pickings, with a major lack of stars beyond Mitch Marner and Sam Bennett, both of whom have likely been ruled out as potential signings by the Utah Mammoth.

However, that doesn't mean the NHL's newest team won't be in play in the free agency market, and according to James Mirtle of The Athletic, they will be major players in the sweepstakes to land Winnipeg Jets star Nikolaj Ehlers.

The 29-year old has posted 61 and 63 points in his last two seasons with the Jets, but perhaps in looking for a big time deal and a bigger role with a team, the Mammoth are emerging as a squad that could give him both of those things in free agency.

However, the Mammoth won't be the only team in on the Ehlers sweepstakes, as he hasn't ruled out a return to the Winnipeg Jets, and with many playoff teams expected to pursue Mitch Marner in free agency, the ones that miss out would be perfect to pivot towards Ehlers.

At this point in time, there should be many teams interested in Ehlers, but after making a huge splash at the draft a year ago, expect the Mammoth to offer perhaps the biggest deal as owner Ryan Smith looks to speed things up in Salt Lake City as they aim to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs in year two.