This NHL offseason is expected to be another wild one, and two NHL insiders of The Athletic have linked a top Jets player to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Chicago Blackhawks will have a hectic offseason, <a href='https://nhlrumors.com/nhl-rumors-chicago-blackhawks-and-the-vancouver-canucks-2/2025/01/29/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIIxOVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQuzJrwwHguAl-PBvYmzW_MG92-rtj59g1jj0yWxA4vjFYFA2nr31KHlKw_aem_dyDEsIHqay7zpxuVg1MH6Q' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>but will a big free agent sign with them?</a> With Connor Bedard's development a top issue, General Manager Kyle Davidson will <a href='https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6089407/2025/01/26/blackhawks-mikko-rantanen-nhl-free-agency/?source=emp_shared_article&fbclid=IwY2xjawIIx-5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUnzZZmYdAyIrxQy3jVodkaaceKiY_U5WlGeselJ_nSNmlA0dU60-kyX-g_aem_8oimSwgsuwA2JcVr8sQngQ' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>try and sign a high-scoring player to take a little of the burden off</a> of the emerging superstar. <h3>Nikolaj Ehlers becomes a top target of the Blackhawks</h3> Some of free agency's biggest names include Nikolaj Ehlers, a top target for the Blackhawks, per Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus of The Athletic. The Winnipeg Jets winger is a prolific forward with a powerful shot, a creator's skillset, and a high level of quickness. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/CHGO_Blackhawks/status/1805345450725458062'> </a></blockquote></div> At 28 years of age, <a href='https://www.nhl.com/jets/player/nikolaj-ehlers-8477940' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Ehlers</a> has a lot of top-class years in him and could fit in perfectly with Chicago's rebuild timeline. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/MarkLazerus/status/1884454029985558896'> </a></blockquote></div> He won't command the same gargantuan salary that top options Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner will, and therefore can become a more feasible target in terms of both financial room and build of the roster. For all that Davidson will have, securing top talent won't break the bank. Rantanen and Marner will demand deals in the $14-million range, similar to Leon Draisaitl's. For a less expensive, but no less talented, alternative, Ehlers is a high-value target in terms of skill, age, and price tag, and <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/winnipeg-jets/concerns-rise-as-winnipeg-jets-face-free-agent-drama-with-trouble-brewing' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Jets fans are likely getting nervous at the thought of losing him.</a> <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/HockeyDaily365/status/1882993158763708537'> </a></blockquote></div> The cap room will work in Chicago's favor, too. With a chance to buy out aging but high-value assets in T.J. Brodie and Laurent Brossoit, and with Philipp Kurashev possibly becoming a free agent, options will be plentiful for a rebuild in full swing. Meanwhile, Seth Jones's $9.5-million <a href='https://puckpedia.com/player/seth-jones' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>salary cap hit continues to make it a challenge for moving him</a>. In a scenario in which offer sheets become an option, such players as Wyatt Johnston, Marco Rossi, and Matthew Knies become options, too. Ultimately, the Blackhawks will go searching for players who not only can complement Bedard but can contribute to long-term planning, too. All-star free agents can cause a lot of waves, but a player like Ehlers can contribute a lot in terms of both immediate and long-term value. His name will be one worth following during the offseason.