Ehlers and the Carolina Hurricanes agreed to a six-year, $51 million contract in free agency on Friday, per Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. The 29-year-old hit free agency after his previous seven-year, $42 million contract with the Jets expired following the 2024-25 season.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Eric Tulsky, General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with forward Nikolaj Ehlers on a six-year contract. The deal will pay Ehlers an Average Annual Value (AAV) of $8.5 million through the 2030-31 season.

What a few days for the Carolina Hurricanes during the first week of free agency. A slew of July 1 moves saw an eight-year extension for Logan Stankoven, followed by a sign-and-trade for K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers.