The Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly in the process of acquiring veteran defenseman Christian Ehrhoff from the Los Angeles Kings in return for veteran defenseman Rob Scuderi.
One might actually call this an AHL trade, since both Ehrhoff and Scuderi cleared waivers earlier this month and were sent to the minors.
Assuming the transaction goes through, it’s not clear what either club has planned for its respective new blue-liner. Will he be called up? Will he stay buried? We don’t know yet.
Scuderi, of course, won a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012.
For the Blackhawks, the move does have the potential to clear some cap space for next season:
Rob Scuderi is owed $2.25 million next season. Ehrhoff's a UFA. Huge for the #Blackhawks to free up that space, no matter what Ehrhoff does.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 26, 2016
But according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, we’ll have to wait on all the details:
A few things about pending CHI-LA trade: it may not become official until later in the day; players involved are Scuderi/Ehrhoff...
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 26, 2016
...there may be some salary retention. Should stress it's not yet a done deal but absent any last-minute issues, it "should" get done.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 26, 2016
Obviously, with Scuderi owed another year on his contract, the likely salary retention is on the CHI side.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 26, 2016
So...we’ll wait.
Related: Blackhawks waive Scuderi; will Bowman try to add a d-man?