The Winnipeg Jets are looking to make the playoffs for the second time in the franchise’s seven season history since moving from Atlanta back in 2011.
There’s no questioning their goaltending needs to improve emphatically, as well as their team’s discipline and penalty kill. If the Jets want to make serious noise over the next few seasons, they’ll need their young players like Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine to continue their progression into superstardom.
On the same day that the Jets will kick off the 2017/18 season at home against the Maple Leafs, the team locked up the 21-year-old Ehlers to a seven-year contract worth $42 million that will carry an average of $6 million per season.
TSN’s Jets reporter Sara Orlesky was on hand at the rink when news of the contract broke. Laine, who can sign a contract extension next summer, was asked about Ehlers’ fancy new contract, and the Finnish sniper had a pretty funny take.
Given that the two youngsters are close friends and only two years apart, you can understand why room service is such a popular thing at that age.
While Ehlers is coming off a terrific sophomore season where he potted 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points in 82 games, Laine will cash in big time next season if he’s able reach the 40-goal plateau.
You can bet that Ehlers will be telling Laine that it’s his turn to cover the food bills more often than not, especially with how expensive some items and drinks are in the luxurious hotels that they travel in. If anyone can afford to splurge on hotel food, it’s professional athletes.
(h/t Sara Orlesky)
