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.