Ehrhoff-Islander Talks Dead

Contract talks between Christian Ehrhoff and the Islanders have officially died, as first reported by Newsday's Katie Strang.

Although somewhat upsetting, the news shouldn't be too surprising. The best defenseman in this year's UFA class wasn't very likely to sign with the first team that approached him with an offer. Ehrhoff knew he had several options in the free agency market once Friday afternoon came, and probably saw no true reason to sign with the Islanders over other better teams.

One of these teams would be the Detroit Red Wings, which according to rumors are looking at Ehrhoff to replace the hole left in their defense by the retirement of Brian Rafalski. Without a doubt, Ehrhoff would definitely take less money to play on a much better team in the Red Wings. The Red Wings are Stanley Cup contenders year in and year out, and who would say no to the chance to play alongside a defensive legend like Nicklas Lidstrom.

Islander fans, however, shouldn't be too disappointed by the fact that Ehrhoff didn't sign with them. Would he have helped the power play produce, and the younger players mature? Of course, but would he have made the Islanders immediate contenders? Not quite. However as good as Ehrhoff may be, he's no franchise player who would make any team immediate playoff contenders. He might've given the extra push a team needs to clinch a playoff spot, but there's plenty of players in the NHL that can have that type of effect on a team.

The one positive that one can take from this whole fiasco is that the Islanders have become fully committed to becoming true playoff contenders. Also, if anybody doubted Wang's ability to open the checkbook to other players, those doubts should be long gone after this move.

Not too long from now, players will be taking notice of the Islanders as future contenders, and when that time comes players will start accepting these type of offers that players like Ehrhoff, Paul Martin, and Ilya Kovylchuk have so graciously turned down.

Also, if the Islanders are still looking to sign a defenseman out of free agency, there are still options. Although James Wisniewski will likely sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets (his rights were traded by Montreal earlier today), and Ehrhoff will, as mentioned before, likely sign with the Detroit Red Wings, there are still options in Tomas Kaberle and Ed Jovanovski.

Between the two, Ed Jovanovski is the more likely option. A big body, with a hard shot, and a lot of NHL experience. He's spent the past few years playing in Phoenix which means that he won't be denying offers from lower level teams, but will instead look for the team which will pay him the most. If the Islanders truly want Jovanovski, there's little chance any team in the NHL can outbid them.

Personally, I believe that the Islanders will still make a splash come Friday afternoon, and will get at least one top free agent signed, but I, personally, believe that this time it will be a forward. Also, don't be too surprised if the Islanders become involved in a trade or too in the next few days. There are a few names which the Islanders might be interested in offloading in order to make space for free agent signings.

UPDATED: The Islanders have traded the rights to Christian Ehrhoff to the Buffalo Sabres for a 2012 4th round pick.

Islanders Trade for Rights to Christian Ehrhoff

I'd like to start by saying thank you for reading my first ever entry on my blog, the Islanders Hockey Blog.

Now, as first reported by TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Islanders have traded their 4th round draft pick to the Vancouver Canucks for the rights to Christian Ehrhoff. Ehrhoff was a great influence on the Canucks success in the regular and post season, posting 14 goals and 50 points during the regular season, and 2 goals and 12 points in the post season.

It had become rather clear that Ehrhoff wasn't going to re-sign with the Canucks after they re-signed Kevin Bieksa to a 5-year deal worth $23 million, basically choosing Bieksa over Ehrhoff. Since then the discussion over a new contract between Ehrhoff and the 'Nucks became more and more complicated every day. The news came out this morning that the Canucks were open to trading Ehrhoff's rights to other teams, and it seems rather obvious that Islander GM, Garth Snow, was listening.

If the Islanders can get this deal done, it would be a huge improvement to both offense and defense. As noted before, Ehrhoff knows how to put the puck into the back into the net, and would be a great point man, along with Mark Streit, on a struggling power play. Ehrhoff is also very solid in his own zone posting a very respectable +19 last season, the 3rd highest of 12 other Vancouver defensemen. One other plus his signing would provide is experience and tutoring for offensive defensemen prospects like Calvin DeHaan, Aaron Ness, and Matt Donovan.

All this of course is one very large IF. Snow will almost undoubtedly give Ehrhoff an empty check, but will Ehrhoff sign with the Islanders? Will this arena situation cost the Islanders not only a chance at a great player like Ehrhoff but also the 4th round pick they gave up to get his rights? I, personally, don't believe that Snow would trade for the talented defenseman's rights, without being at least somewhat secure that he would have a good chance at getting him signed.