Then, a few days into free agency, star forward Nikolaj Ehlers left Winnipeg to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes as an unrestricted free agent. The 29-year-old forward signed a six-year, $51 million contract with the Hurricanes in free agency, ending a decade-long run with the Jets.

On the opening day of free agency, Carolina swung a sign-and-trade for Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller, sending first- and second-round picks and defensive prospect Scott Morrow to New York while inking Miller to an eight-year, $60 million contract.