The Buffalo Sabres have already traded Thomas Vanek this season and are probably going to deal starting goalie Ryan Miller and forward Matt Moulson (a key piece of their return for Vanek) before the March 5 trade deadline.
NHL trade rumors roundup: Christian Ehrhoff on the market
Everything must go in Buffalo, and you might be able to add defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to the list.
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They may not stop there.
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Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff revealed on Friday that he has complied with the Sabres' request to submit a list of eight teams that he will not accept a trade to as part of his no-trade clause. He did not disclose the list of teams.
If Ehrhoff becomes available, he would be an intriguing target for any team in need of a first- or second-pairing defenseman. He still has seven years left on his current contract and carries a cap hit of $4 million per season, but as far as actual salary is concerned, any team that trades for him would only owe him $18 million in actual salary over the next seven years. The bulk of his salary has already been paid out as part of his front-loaded contract.
You’re not going to find a better deal in free agency (or really anywhere) for a player as good as Ehrhoff.
If Buffalo is smart, it won’t trade him unless some team gives up the entire farm for him, especially since Buffalo would be on the hook for any cap recapture liability in the event that Ehrhoff retires at some point down the road before his contract expires.
Also because he would be one of the last decent players left on the roster.
- Basically, everybody on the roster in Buffalo is for sale for the right price.
- Martin Brodeur trade rumors are starting to pick up as the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild have been scouting the New Jersey Devils. Both teams could use a veteran backup goaltender. The question is whether or not Brodeur is still good enough to even serve that sort of role.
- Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review checks in on the Ryan Kesler front and says the Penguins did make a pitch to the Canucks about the center with names like Brandon Sutter and prospect Derrick Pouliot as part of the talks. In other words, it would be the Jordan Staal trade in reverse.
- The Senators and defenseman Chris Phillips are expected to continue contract talks on Friday according to TSN's Darren Dreger, while the Bruins are apparently still interested in a potential trade for the veteran.
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