I think when you are trying to maintain a playoff team, trading Ehlers 1 for 1 with his contract status isn't easy. If you think the tradeoff puts you in a worse position to make the playoffs it's hard to justify the trade. I agree it's new territory for the Jets to let a player walk, but then you look at Edmonton taking the same risk with Draisaitl, obviously not the same calibre, but you know players that have impacts, and sometimes you have to take risks...If the Jets lose Ehlers for nothing, all is not lost, with forward prospects and assets to move. If the Jets don't succeed, his trade value at the deadline is maybe worth more than at the draft table, especially if a team wants him long term. I'd say it's a risk/reward factor with the playoffs the end game.