Christian Ehrhoff’s tenure in Pittsburgh has ended as the veteran defenseman signed one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.
Ehrhoff came to the Penguins on a one-year contract a year ago after being bought out by the Buffalo Sabres. He was effective in spells for the Pens, but for the most part, his season was washed out by multiple injuries.
He missed several games in December with a lower-body injury and several concussions later in the seasons conspired to end his season prematurely.
Ehrhoff ended up playing just 49 games in 2014-15, scoring three goals and recording 11 assists. He was also never able to get into a rhythm on the power play, an area he was expected to contribute. He only had two points on the man advantage – both assists – despite averaging over two minutes of power play time per game.
Ehroff was one of the biggest-name free agents remaining on the market – a market the Penguins are still active in – but the Pens seemed to have little interest in bringing Ehrhoff back, despite a need for a top four defenseman.
Toronto Maple Leafs free agent Cody Franson, who the Penguins have been rumored to be interested in, remains available and is now one of the few high-end free agents remaining on the market.
Two other Penguins free agents remain unsigned: forwards Craig Adams and Max Lapierre.
Photo credit: Matt Kincaid/NHLI/Getty Images
