July 5, 2024 | 10:05pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

JETS, HURRICANES WORKING ON TRADE?

Dylan Coghlan, defenceman

The Winnipeg Jets and Carolina Hurricanes are believed to be ironing out details of a trade that reportedly involves defenceman Dylan Coghlan, but could expand to a major move for both clubs.

Friday afternoon, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Hurricanes were believed to be sending Coghlan, a restricted free agent, to the Jets. Hours later, the deal has not yet transpired.

Various reports have suggested a larger trade may be in the works that could involve Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers or top prospect Rutger McGroarty.

Ehlers, as TFP’s David Pagnotta first reported on June 5, is open to a move and would welcome a change of scenery, prompting the Jets to explore the trade market. Talks involving Ehlers have spanned weeks, and the Hurricanes are among the teams that have expressed interest in him.

The Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Boston Bruins are among some of the other teams also interested in Ehlers, who is not interested in signing an extension with the Jets.

McGroarty, drafted 14th overall by the Jets in 2022, is seeking a trade after the club declined to guarantee him a spot on the main roster next season and sign him to his three-year, entry-level contract.

If a trade is consummated, it is possible it may simply include Coghlan as the other player involved, but that hasn’t stopped speculation from swirling.

Ehlers, 28, is in the final year of his contract and comes with a $6 million salary cap hit. He also owns a 10-team no-trade list.

Coghlan, 26, spent most of the season with the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds where he picked up 16 goals and 25 assists for 41 points in 61 games.