2. Forward Nikolaj Ehlers was among the League leaders in top skating speed (23.44 miles per hour; 94th percentile) and speed bursts over 20 mph (215; 95th percentile) last season.
That speed translated to possession dominance, as Ehlers quietly led the Jets in shot attempts differential at 5-on-5 (plus-205) and was tied with forward Mark Scheifele for their most even-strength points (54). Among the 74 NHL forwards who played all 82 games last season, Ehlers ranked 14th in shot attempts percentage relative to when he wasn’t on the ice for his team at 5-on-5 (4.9).
But a challenge new coach Scott Arniel faces after Rick Bowness retired this offseason is to maximize Ehlers’ power-play role, especially with the fast forward being a potential difference-maker for zone entries with more time on the first unit. Last season, despite ranking second on the Jets in even-strength goals (25) behind Kyle Connor (29), Ehlers only had seven power-play points and was held without a goal on the man-advantage over the entire season. Although Ehlers is a three-time 60-point producer in the NHL, he’s never had more than 13 power-play points in a single season; Winnipeg ranked 22nd on the power play (18.8 percent) last season.
