EHRHOFF OFF THE MARKET
Top Defenseman Signs with Sabres
By Corey Witt
Christian Ehrhoff never made it to the open free agent market as the defenseman signed with the Buffalo Sabres for a reported front-loaded 10-year, $40 million contract. He will receive $18 million in the first two years of the deal. In the past 48 hours, Ehrhoff’s rights were traded from Vancouver to the Islanders and then to the Sabres.
CB’s Take via Twitter – “On Ehrhoff: Long Island, NY did not lose to Buffalo. Coliseum did not lose him. He chose the Sabres and not the Islanders, is all.”
110 Responses to EHRHOFF OFF THE MARKET
Top Defenseman Signs with Sabres
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Isles4cups says:
If that’s the deal it would have taken for the Islanders to land Erhoff, I’m not sorry in the least bit.
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Doc says:
Good for the islanders.
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Mike P says:
At that price tag ? who cares. Now we get to boo him 3 times a year.
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Jack says:
HAHAHAHA, there’s a sucker born every minute, see ya ERRORHOFF
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#33 says:
10 years?!
Yea, glad we didnt get suckered into another one of those.
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IsleFan says:
It is a big contract, but averages $4M per year. Clearly, he did not want to sign with the Islanders….message received loud and clear.
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pete says:
Its a terrible deal, BUT its 7 mil more than the isles offered and 4 more years…so its the isles deal plus 1.75 mil a year for 4 more years. Not that different actually.
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JTizzle91 says:
That is the equivalent to what we have on DP’s contract! OHHH My Lord!!!
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Dave says:
Hopefully we squeeze into a playoff spot just ahead of Buffalo.
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I hope gillies breaks his jaw early in the season…
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Islesfan_in_Vancouver says:
interesting that he chose to go with 40 over 10, rather than 33 over 6. It clearly wasn’t all about the money, but why would he leave the canucks to sign with the sabres if he wanted to go to a contender? Does he see the same thing a lot of people do in Luongo, that he chokes under pressure?
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hangover3 says:
If a player has to choose between draft party’s /last in division every year..or playoffs…the player is going to choose playoffs. The funny part is the isles owner and Gm are so out of touch with the rest of the hockey world, that the islanders actually are not even aware that players care about winning, or being run profesionally. The owner has no idea everyone else in hockey considers him a failure and “eccentric”
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kennynyc says:
10 years at $40 mil. Fuhgeddaboutit, you can have him Buffalo.
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alan says:
This signing is a tell tale sign of what will happen tomorrow on the Island!!!
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Mike From Westchester says:
Wow!! How long before Buffalo is looking to dump that contract? I give it 3 years. If the rumors are true that the Islanders offer was in the area of 6 years at 5.8 per year, It was not about the money with Ehrhoff.
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NYI 16 says:
10 years, no thanks. Wang is still paying Yashin and DP for nothing. The Canuck fans are saying this guy isn’t even that good.
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Andre says:
All I can say is THANK GOD we did not sign him. What a ridiculous contract. Are you kidding me? The Islanders are so lucky they did not sign him. That contract is going to rear its ugly head in a few years.
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terry99 says:
Sorry,i just threw up in my mouth. 10 years? He must be the most interesting man in the world. “and when I’m not fleecing the sabers…I drink Dos Equis.
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DWC says:
Heavily front loaded per Bob McKenzie.
8M signing plus 2M base in year 1.It’s essentially 7 for 37 (which tops the Isles offer) and then 3 more at 1M per.
So let’s not feel slighted that much.
There are FA’s who can help this team. I’m ok to add a couple of them and stay the course.
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Mike L says:
If the Isles made this deal, fans of other teams would laugh at Snow. Since it’s Buffalo, fans of other teams would say it’s a great deal and a low cap hit.
Can’t wait to see Grabner blow past him and own Miller
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Chris G says:
Way to much for that player. In both cash and time.
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Kevin says:
Now let’s be honest everyone. How many of you really knew who this guy was before the play-offs, and even there he was pretty much a non-factor. When the Isles news broke did you run to look him up? When we get to the end of this contract he will be nearing his 39th birthday. He’s a nice player, but will he change a team that much? Unlikely.
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Steve K says:
Can you blame him? He goes to a better team, with just as much young talent as us and Miller, not having to deal with screwy Wang and job security for 10 years!
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JT27 says:
These long term contracts in the NHL are crazy. Hasn’t anybody learned from our DP mistake. Next CBA limit the length of these crazy contracts.
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Claude says:
That’s alot of money for above average
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Jeff from Smithtown says:
Erhoff is one lucky dude. 54 hits in 79 games not exactly what we needed
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Did you hear that? That’s the LAUGH RIOT in Vancouver! At least they got to laugh about something. Thanks Buffalo!
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GD says:
Year 1: $8M signing bonus, $2M salary; Year 2: $5M SB, $3M sal. Year 3: $4M; Year 4: $4M, Year 5: $4M; Year 6: $4M; Year 7: $3M; Year 8; $1M; Year 9: $1M, Year 10: $1M. Modified NTC. Cap hit=$4M/yr
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I don’t blame him at all, if someone is dumb enough to pay this…. I’m just glad we didn’t take on a 10 year contract. I know it’s only a $4 million cap hit. But what if it goes real bad after year 2. Are you going to buy out 8 years? and if you gave this guy 10 years, do you give Tavares 20 years?
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Fee-Show says:
I guess he can buy a helluva lot of chicken wings!
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Joe says:
When they move to quebec these problems wont happen anymore.
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corey says: 10 years. 40 milliion. If thats what he wanted from us I’m happy he didnt sign with us. Happy we didnt sign him now. No idea he wanted a contract like that
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The New Isles GM says:
I didn’t realize Christian Ehrhoff resembled a 25 year old Chris Pronger. Where did we go wrong?
Terrible Contract For Buffalo.
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KMo429 says:
Solid deal for Buffalo, 4 mil cap hit, and the deal will end when he’s 38 I believe, and its front loaded,s o he’ll be very worthy of the cap hit for the first 6 years, and very tradeable for the last 4.
Reportedly he wanted 8 digits in his first year (Isles wouldnt give it to him, Buffalo is giving him an 8 mil dollar salary year one, with 7 mil in bonuses, so hell make 15 mil before the puck drops in 12-13)
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HANGOVER3 –
You realize your comment makes no sense, right? We traded to talk to this guy early in hopes we can work a contract out. Everyone on the blog wanted him here between 4-6 years. He would have made our PP better, and been better then Gervais or Hillen. I was one of those followers. Garth is trying, we gave him a solid contract offer. 10 years is rediculous and I’m glad we said “no thank you” to that. Yes, it is hard attracting players here, but I highly doubt Garth has no plans on making this a winning hockey team. Don’t be so angry man.
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LES says:
comical and laughable contract. i am glad snow folded in this round. fool us once ( yashin d.p …. fool us twice …nope
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vrinqueens says:
Buffalo?!! I hope his Lederhosens freeze up while he’s wearing them.
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NYI365 says:
—MAKES $10 MILLION FIRST YEAR AND $8 MILLION SECOND YEAR
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Hey, Chris-
When I look at 8M signing plus 2M base in year 1, what is essentially 7 for 37 and then 3 more at 1M/Y, the first thing I am thinking is- why would the NHL allow this after punishing the Devils last season? If I was the Devils organization I would be really angry if the NHL allows this and doesnt penalize the Sabres a 1st and a 3rd like they did to the Devils. -
Jisles says:
10 yr 40 mil for Erhoff??? NO WAY, NOT ME, NOT EVUH!!! NOT MY CONTRACT, NOT MY PROBLEM!
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2Bit says:
Garth will look like a genius when we finish ahead of Buffalo and then possess a higher 4th round pick. haha
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Strummer's Army says:
I applaud Snow for not giving a so-so D-man 10 years. Several articles today on how in the next CBA teams are going to be heavily penalized for these exact type of contracts.
Trade for a couple guys, they’ll be better then Errorhoff. Mikey Haley is going to be paying that sucka a visit.
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Isle Be Damned says:
Damn, that’s just crazy. I’m thrilled the Isles didn’t give him anything like that. He’s not that good.
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Gutty34 says:
Glad we didn’t blow all our FA money on thisbone guy. What bothers me more than anything is if we did sign him to same contract every mssg board, hockey site, blogger etc. Would be ripping us right now. We are a joke. We ruined hockey. Wang has no clue. Snow is horrific. Any other team. Great deal and they are better for getting it done. Why is this????
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Jim Clark says: Meanwhile Roloson got a one year $3 million deal with Tampa.
When a franchise hasn’t won a playoff series in 18 years, people will ridicule them for anything, including breathing.
Bettman is going to have a chat with Pegula and his spending habit.Keep on talking about the French Connection,Pegs, and agents will have you figured as a pigeion.
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Steven says:
Wow – that contract, is as we say in the business, idiotic.
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Glens says:
WOW, Buffalo just signed Bobby ORR, I mean Brian Leetch,Woops I mean Phil Bourque, Oh I’m sorry it was just whats his name from Vancouver. What a joke 10 years 40 mill R/U kidding me..
That was the best non signing by Garth ever.
Prior to the finals I don’t think I knew who he was, or didn’t care .To get that kind of $$ is Buffalo CRAZY. -
i guess the sabres figure the UFA market is awful, and this guy is the worth all the up front money. good for the player, and the sabres. too much money, too long.
somewhere, the Wiz is smiling in Columbus, the Red Wings brass is not happy and all those defensemn we have signed are suddenly very reasonable in price. defense costs fellas, defense costs alot…. -
Also, big shout out to Corey Witt for filling in for Botta.
Scott Hannan is interesting but I remember when Isles offered him a deal and he rejected to go to Col. I believe it was the same year as Ryan Smyth?
The one thing that is silently screaming at me is Eric Gudbranson still has not signed in FL and that means something is up!
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ss says:
the 18m in the first two years make it much more valuable than 10/40 sounds. for ehrhoff it is the time value of money. for the team, it is only a cap hit of $4m per and a good chance he retires before he collects the last few million.
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Nick says:
10y? Lol good luck Buffalo. Seriously I dont dislike the Sabres but what the hell are they doing?
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hathead68 says:
At that price, Buffalo can have him! If that is what it would have taken to sign him, then THANK GOD he signed with the Sabres!
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ray says:
not that big of a deal…they made him an offer he couldnt refuse…snow had his limits and stuck to them,good for him.im not losing sleep over this but i do wish the isles would front load contracts like some off these other teams
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good ridance. worked out well for the isles. however, the bottom line is everyone wants to play for a winner. are the isles commited to finally do the right things to build a consistent winner every year or are they just commited to having the lowest payroll in hockey every year. wang and snow will never change their arragant dysfunctional ways of doing things but can at the very least make smart trades and sign players that makes sense for the team. if wang and snow say to a ufa that he is the only player they want, then no ufa will sign here. however if wang and snow tell a ufa that they will sign other players that make sense for the team along with a smart trade or two, then i believe that a few ufa players will sign here. being aggressive and making sure that the ufa players understand that with significent
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SCLI says:
CE wasnt my 1st 2nd or 3rd choice so no big deal. I’m just Pee O-ed that the Isles were dissed again. Nothing more. Should we be looking at Matt D’Agostini, RW, St. Louis
TSN.ca Rating: 70.20
Stats 21-25-46, +8, 40, 82 GP
’10-’11 Cap Hit: $550K
Comment: Breakthrough offensive season may have priced him out of Blues’ plans.
6′ 200lbs 26 yrs old and plays with some grit -
93 Miracle says:
A lot of negative islanders fans here and I just dont get it. Garth and Wang out are out of touch and dont understand players want to play for winners. Yeaa I am pretty sure Snow is not clueless, if yo have not noticed he has made some pretty good moves. Some islanders fans act like the non-islander fans that bash the team not knowing who we have in the system and what great moves Snow has made. Also ANY fan who mentiones Quebec City SICKENS ME! HAve some pride. If the Islanders end up in canada which they wont, but if they would, its YOUR FAULT buddy.
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Bill says:
Cam Barker who is only 25 years old and was drafted 3rd overall in 2004 was put on waivers by the Wild. I think the Islanders should take a chance on him. As history shows Garth Snow has shown a willingness to try catch lighting in a bottle (Moulson, Grabner, Parenteau). Do you think there will much interest in him around the league? Any chance he ends up with the Islanders.
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to continue what i wanted to say is that the ufa players must understand that wang and snow will be aggresive and increase payroll quite a bit and will be consistent in making sure that the isles will do what is necessary to win and compete every year like the other teams. if this is the message then i believe the fun starts this coming season. if no smart trades and a few good ufa players are signed and the isles just sign a few 4th. line scrubs and are at the bottom of the cap floor again, then i dont think things will ever change and under wang and snow the isles will always be last place doormats and the laughing stock of the nhl regardless of where they play.
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HemhomeNJ says:
On NJT heading home and all I can say is WOW!
$40M over 10 years is huge numbers for a non-defense dman.
Boy do I wish I was Martinek’s agent!!!
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hockeytime says:
That is a crazy deal. He said he wanted term, well he got it. Garth tried but I am glad that deal is on Buffalo’s books and not the Islanders. Keep trying Garth, something will pan out.
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Tom D in NJ says:
If we did 10 years for this guy, I would would have been really ticked. End of story, on to the next Isles!
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Steven says:
Well said 58. Charles has made his fair share of mistakes like many owners but I like the direction of the team. If some fans think they can do better they should become GM’s or owners and try to get some of these players to sign with the Isles.
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sean says:
93 miracle I completely agree with you sometimes I think the negative comments are from stupid ranger fans. I think Garth is doing a good job drafting depth players and at least trying to get good free agents here. We know our arena is a dump and haven’t won a playoff series in 18 years but we are on the right track.
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Staten Islander says:
OH! MY! GOD! That is a HORRIBLE deal. HORRIBLE! If thats what he was asking to sign here, I’m glad both sides moved on. WHEW!
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PS: I truly believe the Isles strategy under challenging circumstances is on track. The team showed a very good chemistry for good parts of last year and they truly played hard for each other. I see that carrying over to next season.
I believe they will be a very good team. The Rangers have proved for years that signing big name guys for big time $$ doesnt always equate to chemistry or championships. -
apologies for the 2nd post but….WOW!! U
I can only imagine what Potvin would get in this era.
Move on Garth
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kabbage19 says:
I agree with Chris in that he chose the Sabres over the Islander. I disagree that that is all. He left with the backhanded comment that he wanted to go to a team that is going to win. I am grateful to him for that comment because people in the hockey world do not forget when they have been disrespected. He has offered up motivation to the Islander players especially when they play the Sabres but also to finish ahead of Buffalo in the standings.
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mtrico says:
$4M cap hit a year is not too bad for this guy, but I would never have gone 10 years. If that’s what he wanted, glad the Isles were able to get the 4th round pick they gave up back.
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Michael Delman says:
Having lived in San Jose the entire time Ehrhoff was on the Sharks, I can honestly say he would have been despised by Islanders fans in half a season. This guy does not play good “D”. He is a step up from Gervais and Hillen, but that’s about it. He’s worth $2 million per season when he’s on his game, and defensively speaking, that’s about 5 games per season.
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TimQ says:
10 years of mistakes in our defensive end? Why would we do that again? Good non-signing
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FFFH!!!! Is all I have to say about him.. With being said $4mil a season for 10yrs is better then $33mil for 6yrs.
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Bob E says:
Way to stay disciplined Garth. We don’t need another yashin. 9mm a year. He played on 2 of best teams in NHL.
If he making 9mm a year. What’s Shea weber worth?
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JT says:
They van have him with that contract. I’d want no part of that.
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this has nothing to do with buffalo v. nyi or winning or losing. it has to do with $18M in the first two seasons. that money in his pocket can parlayed into a fortune in the strong german economy.
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jim says:
Thank GOD he didnt sign with us!
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Cold Spring Harbor says:
Re-sign Martinek.
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BooBoo says:
Radek Martinek is a stud! And I ain’t talkin’ about his hockey skills.
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Blizzard says: Wow…I feel much better now. Thats too much for him he isnt that good IMO. Clearly all about a huge front loaded contract…The Islanders will be better than Buffalo in 2 to 3 years. Long Island is much better place to live its like a no brainer.
Party on Garth.
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Bill from Oceanside says:
Hey it was a nice try by Snow. We got back th4 4 th round pick and get to laugh at Buffalo at the same time.
This is the dumbest contract since, well DP.
Soft D man just who put up numbers playing on the Sedins power play.Two thoughts:
1- Buffalo was better off keeping Montador who went cheap and was better.
2. Bring back Martinek, who is a better defensive player and will cost one tenth the price. Does anyone have an injury update on him?
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Bababoey to you all says:
That Hangover guy sounds like the vancouver media talking…Hes probably a canuck fan
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niko1677 says:
I don’t understand if everyone here is just upset we didn’t sign him or what, but a 10 $40 million contract is a genius move by the Sabres. Ehrhoff gets the upfront moeny he wanted and the Sabres get a manageable cap hit, whereby they can easily move him in a few years, if necessary. A $4 million cap hit for a top 4 Dman will be a steal in a few years time, if not already. If a team trades for him, they will have a larger cap hit then actually cash they have to pay out, which is very appealing in a NHL where teams are struggling to get to the cap floor, but don’t necessarily have the cashflow.
The only ones that lost here are the Isles because now they look like the ugly stepchild. It’s one thing to lose Ehrhoff to the Wings or Canucks, but if anyone here thinks that it’s ok we let him walk to the Sabres for THAT deal, then they need a reality check…and we are all about to get one this summer. I’m not crazy about Ehrhoff and I don’t really mind losing the player, but someone in the Isles organization liked him and now they look like a team that doesn’t have the cash to support their actions.
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Feeling the Good Kharma in Islander Country
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Mike from Sarasota says:
Well said niko1677
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Marc says:
Having only seen Erhoff (29 yrs old) on a limited basis, it seems wise to have stayed away from a 10 year contract. Save the long-term deals for young, talented players who want to be on the team. Stay the course. Fortunately, there’s not a huge UFA market this year, so the elite ones will sign with the usual suspects. A year from now, the UFA’s will hopefully see an improved Isles’ team AND a new arena being constructed. In the interim, Garth can hunt for another Moulson or Grabner and potentially use cap space and assets to upgrade via trade.
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KOkid21 says:
How about Cam Barker?
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jon from nj says:
I like Barker or Commodore.
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Winning says:
2 things. 1-isles havn’t won a playoff round since cell phones were invented. #2- its not a ten year contract. Its 6 or 7, then he gets bought out. Wang cant pay what other ownets can. Wang CAN afford waiver wire pickups who have salsry under 1 million.
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10 yr contracts make a player untradeable
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Who does Darcy Regier think he is? Glen Sather?(See Chris Drury and Bobby Holik) – ROR
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19 Isle in NJ 22 says:
There is nooooooooooo way he’s worth a ten year commitment. I smell buy out in the future.
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Al L says:
Excellent thought,Niko#83. The Isles thought enough of Ehrhoff to surrender an asset for two days of exclusive negotiating rights. The issue here is not the player but the perception he and any other established NHL’er consider the Islanders a last resort. That is why Garth has been left with scraps from the bottom of the free agent barrel since he has been GM.
Until the losing culture,future instability and perception of NHL irrelevance leaves ‘the building’ (Pardon the Pun and Sorry,Chris,its another issue)barring a trade or draft, evidently nothing of substance will be added. I hope I am wrong,but I will be shocked if a Tomas Fleichmann or Jonathan Ericksson will be Islanders. -
Petey Pete says:
He turned down a 6 yr/$34M contract for a 10 yr/$40M contract?
Math must not be his strong suit.
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islesrock73 says:
What a dumb deal by Buffalo. I hope Garth does not reach in this weak free agent class. Isles should sign Rupp and Shane O’Brien. We may not make the playoffs, but a nasty bunch with Matt Martin, Haley, and Gillies when needed.
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jzruggie says:
I just had a frightening thought. I wonder if the Isles went strong after Ehrhoff because Mark Streit has health issues after major shoulder surgery last year. Remember, he had multiple serious issues …labrum tear, torn rotator cuff and a dislocation. another frightening thought …A-Mac had major hip surgery, as did Eaton and Mottau. I think we will see Garth seriously overpaying for at least a couple of d-men.
I hope I’m wrong …. -
Michael Nagin says:
We have had our full of long term deals like this. Thank God we didn’t sign him. If he got that kind of money, what do you think Brad Richards will get? I don’t get some of the comments here about a 10 year contract and it being easy to unload Erhoff in a few years. How would it be easy to move a player with a contract for that length of time? I’d rather see us resign Martinek and bring him back. By the way, the stupid comments are coming from Ranger fans.
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PLEASE DO NOT SIGN Martinek!!!!!! The Isles DO NOT need a soft, fragile D-man that gets pushed all over the ice like a ragdoll everytime they play a physical team. What good is he if he spends just about half a season on the injury list? Isles need to get tougher, bigger, and stronger in order to compete in this division. Wimpy D-man need not apply!!!
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streit02 says:
Wouldnt it be nice to make the playoffs and bounce the Sabres out of the 1st rd!!! Now on a serious note: The night before im officially putting in my push for a Scottie Upshall signing. He’s 28 and should be entering his prime. He brings an element to the Isles forwards that no one else has. I would compare him as a more physical and polished Sean Bergenheim. He would fit right in with our young group and he could become an integral part of the team present & future. He hasnt had a breakout season yet and the Isles are a team where players seem to have career years. He’s def worth a shot. Trade for Komisarek, and inquire about Eric Cole.
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#95 if we do add toughness and Defense WE CAN make the playoffs. We have the scoring, we have the legs, we have the heart and determination and eagerness to win and turn this around. More defense and if Montoya can play like he did last year + added toughness and we are in the big show where dreams are made sometimes late into the night.
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get Cole and Jan Hejda…any nan named jan has to be tuff
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isles316 says:
Buffalo is in a similar spot with the Isles. They haven’t been able to sign any free agents. I actually think this is a good move for Buffalo and with a front loaded contract, it won’t cripple them in the future. Ehrhoff is a top 4 at worst D-man that any team would like to have. The only way we will get guys like him to sign here are to offer similar deals. I give credit to Buffalo and Pegula allowing Darcy Regier to improve the team any way he can.
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Regarding Garth Snow’s accumen as a GM ….I was looking over some of his transaction history, and he has made some pretty savvy moves. For example, at the ’09 draft he traded the 56th pick (late 2nd round) to Columbus for a 3rd rounder and a 4th rounder. Those picks turned out to be G Anders Nilsson and C Casey Cizikas …both project to be pretty good prospects.
In Dec. ’06 he traded Mike York to Philly for a player and a 5th round pick …which turned out to be Matt Martin.
In July ’07 he traded D Allan Rourke and a 2008 3rd rounder for a 2008 2nd rounder which turned out to be Travis Hamonic.
In Feb ’08 he traded Mark-Andre Bergeron to ANA for a 3rd rounder which turned out to be Kirill Petrov (whom I believe will be the sleeping giant of all of our prospects).
Free agent signings …obviously Streit, who I believe most would consider a top-10 d-man in the nhl (at least prior to the injuries); Matt Moulson – 2-time 30-goal scorer. I wonder how many players in the NHL had over 30 the last 2 years …I doubt there were more than 5.
Waiver wire pickups …obviously, Grabner was the “Grab” of all time. Schremp was worth a gamble.
Considering the budget, I think Garth has been great. Very few out and out blunders. So for the constant nay-sayers who talk about our “amateur GM” …sorry, but you don’t know what you’re talking about. -
manwithavan says:
jzruggie #102 thank you
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sorry 103
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Frustrated Voter says:
Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t complete. I believe this is the case regarding Erhoff. I am thrilled that we did not sign him.
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And we got our fourth round pick back. Nice job, Garth!
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ed says:
Would love to see someone with pride on the Islanders drop the gloves wit Erhoff after his comments today. Pride starts at home. Go after him JT
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StevieL says:
Imagine what Ehrhoff would have gotten if he ever made an All-Star team! How can Long Island compete with an oasis like Buffalo? I heard the weather is spectacular there!!Crazy move, Crazy money!
It still leaves Detroit out there as competition for any FA D. See us picking at the FA scraps again this year!
Fleischmann or Cole and call it a day! we need to start saving dollars for the monster contract it will take to sign JT next year! -
well said jzruggie…impressive time spent researching that, too – for once numbers to back up the truth that garth is far more good than bad.
10 years $40 mil. Good job not signing him for that Garth!!