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.