NHL EDGE Stats for the Winnipeg Jets

2. Forward Nikolaj Ehlers was among the League leaders in top skating speed (23.44 miles per hour; 94th percentile) and bursts of speed over 20 mph (215; 95th percentile) last season.

That speed translated into possession dominance, as Ehlers quietly led the Jets in shot attempt differential at 5-on-5 (plus-205) and was tied with forward Mark Scheifele for the most even strength points (54 ). Among the 74 NHL forwards who played all 82 games last season, Ehlers ranked 14th in off-ice shot percentage for his team at 5-on-5 (4, 9).

But a challenge facing new coach Scott Arniel after Rick Bowness retired this offseason is maximizing Ehlers’ power play role, especially since the fast forward is a potential difference-maker for zone entries with more time on first down. unit. Last season, despite ranking second on the Jets in even-handed goals (25) behind Kyle Connor (29), Ehlers had just seven power-play points and was held without a goal on the man advantage all season . Although Ehlers is a three-time 60-point producer in the NHL, he has never had more than 13 power-play points in a single season; Winnipeg ranked 22nd on the power play (18.8 percent) last season.