LA Kings sign Christian Ehrhoff for one year, $1.5M
The Los Angeles Kings brought in some offense for their blueline at a bargain basement price.
On Sunday, the Kings agreed to terms with unrestricted defenseman Christian Ehrhoff for a one-year, $1.5 million contract. For most of the offseason the 33-year-old Ehrhoff had done a slow dance with the Columbus Blue Jackets as the two seemed destined to unite. Clearly this did not happen.
Ehrhoff was limited to 49 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season and notched 14 points. His 0.29 points per-game was his lowest since his first NHL season. With the Kings’ puck possession system, could he at least get back up to the 30-plus point mark? If so, it would be a win for Los Angeles and Ehrhoff, who is on a ‘show me’ contract. Ehrhoff's prior deal with Pittsburgh was for one year at $4 million.
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Signing Ehrhoff may have defense implications for the Kings as they try to decide what to do with suspended defenseman Slava Voynov. According to The Fourth Period, Voynov has been released from jail following his sentence for domestic violence.
The suspension was imposed under Section 18-A.5 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which provides that, during the pendency of a criminal investigation, "The League may suspend the Player pending the League's formal review and disposition of the matter where the failure to suspend the Player during this period would create a substantial risk of material harm to the legitimate interests and/or reputation of the League."
(Deputy commissioner Bill) Daly indicated to TFP that he does not have a timeline as to when the NHL will begin its "decision making process" in the Voynov matter.
Voynov has also been suspended by the Kings organization for tearing his Achilles tendon in non-hockey related training.
With this deal, the Kings currently have $4.8 million of salary cap space according to General Fanager. This does not include Voynov’s contract. The Kings are also waiting on a resolution on their attempt to terminate the long-term deal of forward Mike Richards.
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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