As the Winnipeg Jets’ offseason continues and the chatter around Nikolaj Ehlers heats up, it’s the perfect time to bring you edition number two of the Jets Nation Mailbag.

What a great question to start us off — and the simple answer is: no.

Mitch Marner has long been a star for the Toronto Maple Leafs alongside Auston Matthews, and as he approaches UFA status this summer, you can bet he’s going to command a massive contract. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him land a deal in the $12M–$14M AAV range, especially from a team looking to make a splash and give him a fresh start.

Even if Nikolaj Ehlers is moved, I don’t see how the Jets could afford Marner. Winnipeg’s front office has made it clear that extending Kyle Connor is a top priority, and that extension could come in at around $9–$10.5M AAV. On top of that, the Jets have several key RFAs and UFAs to deal with — Gabriel Vilardi, Dylan Samberg, Morgan Barron, and multiple depth pieces.

The Jets could instead look to trade a top player and some picks for a legitimate second-line centre — someone like Mason McTavish or Sam Bennett. While Marner is an elite talent, he just doesn’t fit within Winnipeg’s financial structure, especially with all the upcoming extensions on the horizon.

This ties in nicely to the last question.

Sam Bennett would be a great option for the Jets in their search for a second-line centre. He’s physical, reliable in the playoffs, and has the kind of edge this team could really use down the middle. But acquiring his UFA rights likely wouldn’t come cheap. The Jets would likely need to give up a package that includes picks and a prospect — someone like Brad Lambert if you want a good second line centre.

Faceoffs were a major issue for Winnipeg this season. Even Mark Scheifele struggled at times, and it’s clear that Vladislav Namestnikov isn’t a long-term 2C solution on a true contender. Bennett, though, brings that mix of grit and experience.

The challenge? Convincing him to come to Winnipeg. The Florida Panthers — currently looking like Cup favourites — will likely do everything they can to keep him. And let’s face it: Winnipeg isn’t the most appealing destination when you’re weighing it against the beaches and buzz of Sunrise, Florida. Even if you acquire his UFA rights, signing him is going to be difficult.

This one’s tough to answer — not because there’s no interest in Ehlers, but because so many teams could use a dynamic winger like him. That said, my top landing spot for him is Toronto.

If (or more likely when) Marner moves on, the Maple Leafs are going to be looking for a replacement. Toronto still sees itself as a contender, and Ehlers could be a perfect fit in their top six.

Reports suggest Ehlers is likely to test the open market and maximize his value. The Leafs are projected to have around $26.8M in cap space heading into the summer. Even if they make a last-ditch effort to re-sign Marner or John Tavares, they’ll still have the money to make Ehlers a serious offer.

I’d expect Ehlers to command a long-term deal — probably seven years in the range of $8M–$9M AAV. If Toronto offers that and Marner walks, the Leafs would still have around $18M to work with to round out their roster, possibly keeping Tavares while letting Marner go.

Bottom line is that Ehlers would be an incredible addition to any team, but the Leafs seem like the most likely suitor if things break that way.

Have a question for the next Jets Nation Mailbag? Drop it in the comments or shoot us a DM on Instagram. Until next time, Jets fans.