Sabres Sign Christian Ehrhoff to 10-Year, $40 Million Contract

The Buffalo Sabres prevented one of the top free agent defensemen from hitting the market on Friday by signing Christian Ehrhoff to a 10-year contract worth $40 million. The deal will pay him $9 million in 2011-12 and 2012-13, $4 million in 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17, $3 million in 2017-18, and $1 million in 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21. The deal includes a no-movement clause and a modified no-trade clause. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Sabres acquired Ehrhoff's negotiating rights from the New York Islanders on June 29. His rights were acquired by the Islanders just one day prior from the Vancouver Canucks. In 79 games last season with the Canucks, he had 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points. This is an excellent signing for the Sabres, as Ehrhoff will bring lots of offensive skill to the team's blueline. He is also excellent on the power play and can log lots of minutes. Even though he will likely be a solid addition for Buffalo, a 10-year contract is a bit excessive for just about any player. When the current CBA expires, the NHL needs to look into limiting teams to no more than five years on a contract for any player to prevent any type of salary cap circumvention.

Sabres Acquire Negotiating Rights to Christian Ehrhoff

The Buffalo Sabres announced tonight that they have acquired the negotiating rights to defenseman Christian Ehrhoff from the New York Islanders in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1. His negotiating rights were acquired by the Islanders just last night from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth round pick in 2012. In 79 games last season with the Canucks, he had 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points. He also added two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 23 playoff games. If the Sabres can get Ehrhoff signed to a new contract before Friday, this will be an excellent move for the team. He has excellent offensive skill, is great on the power play, and can log lots of minutes. Buffalo will likely do all they can before Friday to get him under contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

NY Islanders Acquire Negotiating Rights to Christian Ehrhoff

The New York Islanders announced tonight that they have acquired the negotiating rights to defenseman Christian Ehrhoff from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1. It became apparent in recent days that Ehrhoff would be headed to the free agent market when he turned down a contract offer from Vancouver that would have paid him $4.6 million per season. In 79 games last season with the Canucks, he had 14 goals and 36 assists for 50 points. He also added two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 23 playoff games. If the Islanders can get Ehrhoff signed to a new contract, this will be an excellent move for the team and greatly improve their defensive corps. He has excellent offensive skill, is great on the power play, and can log lots of minutes. New York will likely be aggressive over the next two days to get him under contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.