Archives for June 30, 2011

‘“So far, we still have (cap) room,” a very happy Regier told The Buffalo News after Thursday night’s deal was complete. “There are a few roles up front that we’d like to address if we can.”’

‘Jaw-dropping? Entertaining? Mind-boggling? A dream?’

‘TSN’s Bob McKenzie was the first to report that the deal is worth $40 million over 10 years with a cap hit of $4 million per season and a modified no-trade clause. Ehrhoff will receive an $8 million signing bonus for the first year of the contract and a $5 million bonus for the second year.’

‘Ehrhoff tied a career high with 14 goals and set career bests with 36 assists and 50 points over 79 games last season, helping the Canucks to the Presidents’ Trophy and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. He added two goals and 12 points in 23 playoff tilts.’

‘“As you know, it’s uncharacteristic for us to give up a fourth-round pick,” Regier said. “We just felt very strongly that if we could get to the player early that we would have the opportunity to sign him.”’

‘“I was originally going to wait and see what was available on the free agent market,” said Christian Ehrhoff. “After the Sabres acquired my rights and I spoke with Terry Pegula and Darcy Regier, I did my due diligence on the team and I was very impressed. I called some former teammates and others in the NHL who also had great things to say and I was aware that Robyn Regehr had waived his no-trade clause in his contract this week to join the Sabres. My goal is to win the Stanley Cup, and after the offer I received from Buffalo, I believe this is the best place to make it happen.”’

‘”We will begin to treat the sport a little bit like individual sport athletes (such as tennis players or golfers). Those athletes dedicate a tremendous amount of time to what they do.”‘

‘Islanders general manager Garth Snow acquired the rights to Ehrhoff from Vancouver on Tuesday in exchange for a 2012 fourth-round pick. Snow failed to sign the defenseman before a self-imposed 5 p.m. deadline on Wednesday before shipping his rights to the Sabres.’

‘”This really stabilizes the Amerks, and the Sabres’ commitment to the area is clear,” Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards said. “And it stabilizes the arena. This is, after all, a hockey arena. The reason we have the place is so it gets used.”‘

‘Fans can buy a season ticket for $10 per game — $380 for the entire regular-season home schedule — for any seat in Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester Community War Memorial.’