I think with Ehlers you have separate issues
1) Why would he stay, and are you will to pay the cost of keeping him?
2) Can trading him fill a need?
I love Nik, but this was a weird year with him. Not sure if it’s partly related to post-injury, age curve, odd usage, or some combination of those factors, but he has looked far less decisive and dangerous, and running him as a 3rd liner (by icetime) won’t help. His value isn’t where it should be, but it will also be find to find a player who provides equivalent or higher value at his cap hit.
Also, he or his agent will likely have paid some attention to his value as perceived and actual useage, and though I don’t get the cash-first vibe from him, I’d be surprised if he isn’t listening to offers. And if Bones sticks around, why stay?
Also not sure what you get for him. RHD-wise, hard to see equivalent value coming back. Picks and a prospect or 2, maybe, but is that what the Jets need?
So much depends on direction. If they’re going to be Lowry’s team, then they should be shifting some skill/IQ players for higher-end diggers and mockers to fill out the roster. OTOH, that strategy isn’t a guarantee in today’s NHL, and likely puts them in a dogfight with NSH and maybe even MIN next season, and in tight for a PO spot.
I think they need to move Nik for his sake and their’s. But not sure they get a huge haul back. Hopefully it’s at least a useful one.
I’d say they could look at Vilardi also, but they won’t move a marquee trade return until and unless he refuses to sign longterm.
Dying early, embarrassingly and hard in the POs has the potential to screw up a lot more than ticket gate receipts.