The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired 33-year-old Christian Ehrhoff from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for 27-year-old Rob Scuderi. The trade is not yet official and may become official until "later in the day," according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.
Scuderi has a $3.375 million salary cap hit, with the Penguins paying $1.125 million of it. Scuderi has been struggling this season, starting with his year on the Penguins which saw him sent to the Blackhawks in exchange for Trevor Daley. His struggles continued and he cleared waivers in mid-February and was sent down to the Blackhawks' AHL affiliate in Rockford.
Ehrhoff has a cap hit of $1.5 million. The blueliner has two goals and eight assists in 40 games this season and was sent to the AHL's Ontario Reign earlier this month. He had a minus-10 rating and was pushed down in the depth chart after Luke Schenn came to Los Angeles.
The Blackhawks were reportedly interested in the Canucks' Dan Hamhuis, but reports today have stated that interest in the defenseman had "cooled considerably," according to McKenzie.
The move is said to be more of a benefit for Chicago general manager Stan Bowman.
"Ehrhoff is an expiring contract, so the Hawks just dumped the second year of Scuderi's deal. Scuderi is also just downright not good, so if anything, he'll probably hurt the Kings whenever he plays. It's basically a win-win-win for the Hawks. What a move, assuming it comes to fruition," according to SB Nation's Satchel Price.
Both teams are destined for the playoffs and sit in first place in their respective divisions and have alternated Stanley Cups victories since 2012.
