Nikolaj Ehlers delivers a final message to fans in Winnipeg.

This offseason in the National Hockey League has seen long time members of one franchise or another leave in free agency and while some of those departures have been very acrimonious, that definitely has not been the case for all of them.

Some players have received a wonderful send off and it appears that will be the case for veteran forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who has now officially ended his time as a member of the Winnipeg Jets. Ehlers signed a new contract with the Carolina Hurricanes this past week, a 6 year contract that carries an average annual value and salary cap hit of $8.5 million per season, but Ehlers hasn't faced any real backlash for his decision.

On Sunday, Ehlers took to social media to express his thanks to the fans in Winnipeg for the way they have treated him over his many years with the organization, giving the fans a beautiful send off and one that he will likely be remembered fondly for.

Winnipeg,

For now my time in Winnipeg has come to an end and I have some things I would like to say to the city of Winnipeg and my Jets family. This was the hardest decision I've made in my life but I felt it was time for a new challenge to grow as a player and person.

To the Jets organization

Thank you! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live my dream in the NHL, for believing in me, for treating me like family from day one. This organization is a top notch organization and I have always loved playing with the Jets logo on my chest. I will never forget what you did for me!

To my brothers

I love you! And will forever cherish the memories we made throughout the last 10 years. You are the best group of guys on and off the ice and I wished we got to lift the stanley cup together, cause that was the dream from day one. I'm proud and glad I got to play with such a great group of players and even better guys! Thankful to be able to call every one of you family.

To the city of Winnipeg and my second home!

Thank you for everything, the support from day one didn't go unnoticed. I feel an immense amount of gratitude to have played in and for the city of Winnipeg for 10 years. You made me feel at home, happy and excited to play hockey. The support and memories you gave me, I will take with me and cherish! I'm proud to call the city of winnipeg my second home.

Winnipeg, I love you
With love and gratitude
Nikolaj Ehlers "Fly"

It's worth noting that the word of Ehlers farewell message leaves open the possibility of a return to Winnipeg some day, something that I believe fans in that city would welcome given just how amicable of a breakup this appears to have been for all parties involved.

Here are just some of the responses to Ehlers' message today, all of which appear to be positive.

Even fans from opposing teams seem to be a little jealous of just how well Ehlers appeared to handle things on his way out of the city.