Nikolaj Ehlers quickly dismissed the idea that he is now Denmark’s Wayne Gretzky.

With an insurance goal into an empty net in Winnipeg’s 7-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday afternoon, the Jets forward became the highest-scoring Danish player in the NHL in history with 474 points.

“No, no, no no, definitely not,” Ehlers protested. “I try to be myself. So far there have been a lot of really good Danish players in the NHL. I played with most of them, so it’s pretty cool for me also. They were idols for me. Being up there now, it’s a pretty cool feeling.”

Frans Nielsen, who played for the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings, held the brand since 2021.

“I’m obviously very proud of it,” Ehlers said. “There are Danes that I watched growing up and Frans was obviously one of them. He was an exceptional player in that league. Fortunately, I was able to play with him at the world championships during his last year.

“It’s a very proud moment. Very happy.”

Ehlers had tied the game when he set up Logan Stanley’s goal early in the second period.

“I knew I was one step away from getting to the same level as him,” he said. “And I forgot after the empty net, I forgot for a second. And then I asked (Mark Scheifele) to go get the puck. It was pretty cool.”

Ehlers had not spoken to Nielsen recently.

“I played several times with Frans, in the national team,” he said. “He’s an incredible role model. A great guy. He was a great player. So, I’m sure he’s — I hope he’s happy for me.”

“He’s a scorer”

Jets coach Scott Arniel was excited for the man they call “Fly.”

“His career, obviously, he’s a goalscorer,” Arniel said.

“This line (with Vladislav Namestnikov and Cole Perfetti), they started slowly and they’re up and running now. He feels pretty good about himself.”

The Jets were also feeling good after Stanley’s hellish hit on Luke Glendening early in the third period. Zemgus Girgensons then challenged Stanley to a fight which the Jets defenseman won. Girgensons was then penalized for a third man, a major penalty for fighting and a 10-minute professional foul. Stanley received a major penalty.

Alex Iafallo scored on the ensuing power play, giving Winnipeg a 4-3 advantage. Although the Bolts tied it 4-4, it gave the Jets a psychological boost.

“That hit, I was on the ice, I felt it too,” Ehlers said. “And you know, him stepping up and fighting, it gets the whole team moving – the bench – and then we have a power play that comes in and scores a goal. It’s pretty exciting for us. And obviously, that changes the momentum.

Arniel said the move got fans excited.

“They went for it,” he said. “Obviously our bench did the same. Stan is a big man. When he does those kinds of things, he goes
create more space. It was a big moment and we knew what we had to do next.”

Stanley seemed to relish the blow.

“You just try to have a good gap and sometimes those come up,” he said. “Just enjoy it. It was a good move.”

Stanley had no problem with Girgensons challenging him to a fight.

“I have a lot of respect for him,” he said. “He’s been in the league a long time and stands up for his teammates. I would do the same thing.”