The Buffalo Sabres have bought out defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, using their second, and final, compliance buyout. Due to his no-movement clause, Ehrhoff declined waivers and instantly became a free agent.
According to The Buffalo News John Vogl, Tim Murray stated that Ehrhoff’s contract, inability to make the defense better, and desire to not be in Buffalo all factored into today’s decision.
“He’s made I believe 22 million in three years, and feels we’re not going in the right direction,” GM Tim Murray told John Vogl. “He really hasn’t had much part in the direction the team has gone. So time to move on.”
Ehrhoff, 31 years old, has spent the last three seasons in Buffalo. In 192 games with the Sabres, Ehrhoff tallied 88 points (16 goals, 71 assists). Once the compliance buyout is completed, the Sabres will pay Ehrhoff $857,143 per season, off the books, for the next 14 seasons, equaling $12 million.
The possibility of cap recapture also seemed to have helped this situation come to a head.
If Ehrhoff had been traded, and retired before the completion of his deal, the cap penalties would be as follows:
2013 – 14: $1,428,571 per season for 7 years
2014 – 15: $1,666,667 per season for 6 years
2015 – 16: $2,000,000 per season for 5 years
2016 – 17: $2,500,000 per season for 4 years
2017 – 18: $3,333,333 per season for 3 years
2018 – 19: $5,000,000 per season for 2 years
2019 – 20: $10,000,000 per season for 1 year