Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Sign Christian Ehrhoff Trade Paul Martin

June 29, 2014, 1:13 PM ET [429 Comments]
Ryan Wilson
Pittsburgh Penguins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on twitter



There are two bits of news that I read today that got me thinking about a drastic change that the Penguins could at least entertain. The first bit of news comes from Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune.


A busy Penguins offseason is unlikely to include contract extensions for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Paul Martin.

Each player is set to enter the final year of his current contract and can sign an extension at the official start of the new NHL season Tuesday.

Martin, 33, also has a $5 million cap hit — and he was rated by the previous coaching staff as the Penguins' top defenseman the past two seasons.
However, the Penguins believe Martin prefers to test free agency next summer. Also, Rutherford believes it is time to start playing the most NHL-ready among the franchise's crop of top defensive prospects.



I agree with the previous coaching staff that Martin was/is the Penguins best defenseman, I love him as a player. I have nothing negative to say about him as a player, but players are assets in the grand scheme of things and it really stings when you lose them for nothing. The Penguins are already losing Niskanen for nothing, they can't afford to do the same with Martin.

Enter the second interesting bit of news from today:




This was highly unexpected, at least by me. Ehrhoff is an underrated defensman that has been hidden away on some pretty awful Sabres teams. He is a nondescript defensman much like Martin but carries a larger offensive upside due to his heavy shot.

Given Martin's willingness to test the market (as he should it is his right) and the newly available Christian Ehrhoff I believe the Penguins have an opportunity to move Paul Martin for valuable assets while having his younger replacement slide right into his old spot.

In fact I would give Ehrhoff the same 5M cap hit that Martin had if they have to. Remember, just because a player gets bought out does not mean they are going to take less with their new team, especially if that player is the best available free agent at his position (yes Ehrhoff is better than Niskanen).

Let's take a look at both players.





This chart shows how well each player did possession wise in relation to all of their other teammates. Pretty clear that Ehrhoff is head and shoulders above his teammates, this is not a surprise, the Sabres are full of terrible players. Given that Martin plays on a team with Crosby and Malkin it is understandable why his CF% rel is not as high. Other factors include how each player is used.





Both players are relatively close in the amount of offensive zone starts that each receive but Martin is definitely used in more of a shutdown role than Ehrhoff has been. This can help explain the possession a little better.

Here is my big selling point about Ehrhoff, he makes players better, period. Here are the 6 most common players Ehrhoff played with during his time in Buffalo.





Look at the cliff Ehrhoff's teammates fall off of when they are not playing with him. This is significant.

I absolutely love Paul Martin as a player but the Penguins need to manage their assets appropriately, especially their high end ones.

If Martin is going to test the market next year, now is the time to move him. The Penguins now have a clear viable option to replace him with that has fallen into their lap.

Exit Paul Martin, enter Christian Ehrhoff + awesome Paul Martin trade assets.




Thanks for reading!

Follow me on twitter
Join the Discussion: » 429 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Ryan Wilson
» Penguins earn victory on Jake night
» A salute to Jake Guentzel
» Sid puts on show as Avs dig out of hole
» A dud in Dallas
» My thoughts on Dubas' thoughts