2014 NHL Draft: Detroit Red Wings First Round Draft Prospects
Nikolaj Ehlers
Position: LW Current Team: Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL Date of Birth: February 14, 1996 Place of Birth: Aalborg, Denmark Height: 6’0″ Weight: 163 lbs Shoots: Left
The 6th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft, Nikolaj Ehlers has exploded with the Mooseheads putting up 49 goals and 104 points in 64 games this year. He’s continued his hot play into the playoffs with four goals and 12 points in five games.
Ehlers has been rising up draft boards all year, but one particular stretch where he scored three straight hat-tricks for the Mooseheads really vaulted him into the conversation as a potential top 10 pick.
Ehlers is one of the fastest players in this year’s class, is a solid playmaker, has good stickhandling and shooting skills at his disposal, but is still working on his defensive play.
Nikolaj Ehlers (@NikolajEhlers24) earned a multitude of awards in 2013-14. Profile: http://t.co/uzc59qF1U0 #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/wiaJKiCYIy
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 21, 2014
Statistically, Ehlers is probably the most impressive player in the draft. He’s got the most PPG of any player in the CHL and has a ridiculus +/- of +56 which, with no other information, would seem incredible.
While he’s a pure offensive weapon, he will need to bulk up to survive the rigors of the NHL. If he can do that, he’ll be a productive winger on a scoring line.