Nikolaj Ehlers Top 30 NHL Prospect Profile
Today we look at another top 30 NHL draft prospect ahead of this years draft in June. Today we’re taking a look at the Denmark native and Halifax Mooseheads, Nikolaj Ehlers. While Ehlers will probably be drafted inside the top 20 at the NHL draft in June, he’s ranked anywhere from top 3 to top 15.
The left winger had a very solid year in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads racking up a very impressive 104 points in 63 games this season. He also laced up for the Denmark twice on the World Junior stage recording 6 points in 5 games both tournaments.
For his efforts with the Halifax he won the Mike Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL’s best prospect, the offencive rookie of the year award, the rookie of the year award and a U20 Gold Medal. Not a bad season for the young 18 year-old who has yet to be drafted.
What Will A Team Get If They Draft Him?
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A team that drafts Nikolaj Ehlers is going to land a dynamic forward who has elite speed, stick-handling and a deadly wrist shot. While he’s not quite at the same level as Jonathan Drouin he is certainly tending that way and is already being compared to his Moosehead teammate.
Ehlers is one of the best skaters available in this years draft and has the ability to be an elite play maker. Add to that his lightning fast speed, deadly wrist shot, his good stick-handling and you’ve got one heck of a forward threat in Ehlers.
Statistically Ehlers is probably the most impressive player available in the draft. He’s got the most PPG of any player in the CHL and has an insane +/- of +56. What’s he going to bring? Elite offence, plain and simple.
"“Nikolaj is a dynamic player who- while not being really big- plays big and is elusive. A very quick Player, he is able to see opportunities and take advantage. He is equally adept at finishing plays as he is making them.”"
By drafting Ehlers you can look forward to an elite play maker who isn’t shy to burry goals himself.
His Underrated skill
Ehler’s doesn’t have many underrated skills. He’s highly touted for playmaking, speed and shot as all mention above. His ability and willingness to play in the corners and in front of the net despite his small statue is definitely an added bonus and what we’re going to call his most underrated skill.
What Needs To Be Worked On?
For Nikolaj Ehlers his offence is pretty much set in stone. It’s going to get better and more mature with experience, however it’s not something he needs to really worry about. What he does need to do is bulk up and add more weight in the gym. While he’s got solid size at 6 feet, his 162 pound frame leaves something to be desired. If he’s going to survive in the corners and in front of the net, he’s going to need another 20 pounds of muscle roughly.
Nikolaj Ehlers has all the skills to be an elite level offencive threat to any team and play top 6 forward minutes. If he can bulk up and improve his skills, he’ll have no problem adjusting to the NHL life once a team drafts him somewhere in the top 15.