The Buffalo Sabres have used their second compliance buyout on defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, the team confirmed via its Twitter account Sunday.
Ehrhoff, who turns 32 on July 6, had seven years left on a 10-year, $40 million contract he signed in 2011 with an average NHL salary-cap charge of $4 million. That summer the Sabres also signed forward Ville Leino for six years and $27 million; Buffalo used its first compliance buyout on Leino on June 18.
A fourth-round selection (No. 106) of the San Jose Sharks in the 2001 NHL Draft, Ehrhoff had six goals and 27 assists in 79 games to lead Sabres defenseman in points (33), but was a minus-27. His best season was in 2010-11, when he had career highs in goals (14), assists (36) and points (50) to help lead the Vancouver Canucks to the Stanley Cup Final.
Ehrhoff had 16 goals and 87 points in three seasons with the Sabres after the team acquired his negotiating rights from the New York Islanders. In 692 regular-season games with the Sharks, Canucks and Sabres, he has 69 goals and 244 assists, and seven goals and 27 assists in 73 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Thanks to the great community of WNY, sabres fans and sabres organization for welcoming me and my family with open arms these past 3 years!
— Christian Ehrhoff (@TheRealHoff10) June 29, 2014