Good sign on ‘D’: Ehrhoff
Blueliner inks PTO
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
DETROIT — The Bruins appear to have strengthened their suspect defensive corps yesterday by signing veteran defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to a professional tryout (PTO). The move was first reported by TSN’s Bob McKenzie and confirmed last evening by Bruins general manager Don Sweeney.
The 34-year-old German, who has played 789 career NHL games for six teams, played for Team Europe at the recent World Cup. He remains an unrestricted free agent. Known as a solid all-round blueliner, his best years were with Vancouver, with whom he reached the 2011 Stanley Cup finals and lost to the Bruins.
But his production has declined in recent years. Last season, the left-shot defenseman split 48 games between Los Angeles and Chicago and totaled just two goals and eight assists.
Still, he would seem to be a pretty safe bet to earn a contract with the Bruins — though a guy who earned as much at $10 million (in 2011-12) likely would be paid a tiny fraction of that by the B’s.
“We watched him play in the World Cup,” said Sweeney. “From a PTO standpoint, this is an opportunity to continue to evaluate him.
“He still skates well and he moves pucks. And he’s got a lot of experience.”