Jets Get Tremendous News On Top-Six Forward Nikolaj Ehlers

After missing all six preseason games, and wearing the non-contact jersey through much of camp, it appeared that the chances of Winnipeg Jets' star forward Nikolaj Ehlers being ready for the season opener tomorrow night were slim. But in a surprising turn of events that began Sunday morning, the team has announced that he will indeed be suiting up against Calgary on Wednesday.

It was only a week ago that Jets beat writers reported that Ehlers was still looking doubtful due to ongoing neck spasms which weren't improving the way the team (and the player himself) had hoped. But he was a full participant in practice on Sunday.

Ehlers faced health problems last season as well, only able to appear in 45 games for the Jets, while registering 12 goals and 38 points. That's a similar .84 points-per-game pace that he's held through a large portion of his 8-year career with Winnipeg.

Ehlers had topped the 20-goal mark for six straight seasons before his limited action last year; he is desperately needed in the Jets' top-six for the team to reach its potential.

He'll now re-join Cole Perfetti and Nino Niederreiter on the second line, and try to pick up their chemistry right from the get-go.

“Us three, we know how to play hockey. We can go out there and can score three goals in the first game and everyone’s going to say ‘Ah chemistry, you don’t need that.’ We haven’t played a game together,” said Ehlers.

Jets fans are hoping.

 Photo: Terrence Lee-USA TODAY Sports