Through the first 13 games of the season, the 28-year-old Ehlers is off to a torrid start and on pace for a career year in goals and points — but he's on an expiring contract.

Nikolaj Ehlers racked up a hat trick and an assist to help the visiting Winnipeg Jets to a 6-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.

COLUMBUS -- Nikolaj Ehlers scored a hat trick and had an assist for the Winnipeg Jets in a 6-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Friday. “I felt pretty good in warmups,” Ehlers said. “I’d be pretty disappointed if I didn’t score tonight with that warmup. It was pretty funny how that worked out.”