Ehrhoff and Rome out for Canucks … Not much of turnout for Thrashers “select-a-seat” … Blackhawks notes

Mark Easson

13 years ago

Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province: Canucks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome are likely to be replaced by Keith Ballard and Andrew Alberts. Christian Ehrhoff possibly separated his shoulder in the 1st period of Game 3. Aaron Rome may have a concussion.

George Henry of the Globe and Mail: Only 200 Thrashers fans turned out for Atlanta’s “select-a-seat” event in which potential and current season’s ticket holders can check out the seats, look at the ice and talk about the draft. “We’ve been lied to for six years,” Jenn Peters, 30, said while choking back tears as she flipped through a collection of ticket stubs. “It’s hard to watch as a fan because there’s nothing you can do but show up. You can voice your opinion and you can show up, but that’s all you can do.” The Thrashers website didn’t promote the event.

Andy Strickland via twitter: A current Atlanta Thrasher only knows what everyone else does and is waiting for some announcement to let the players know what’s going on.

Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago: The Blackhawks have 16 players under contact for about $54 million for next season. They are expected to re-sign Michael Frolik and Chris Campoli. The chances of re-signing UFA Tomas Kopecky are slim, and they may not be able to afford Troy Brouwer. It’s likely that one or more of their RFA’s will be traded and if they could move one of Brian Campbell or Niklas Hjalmarsson, it would free up some cap space. It would be hard for them to move Campbell due to his salary, but at 23 Hjalmarsson could get some interest.

Dirk Hoag of On the Forecheck: The Predators are close to signing defenseman Victor Bartley, who had been playing in Sweden.

Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Red Wings GM Ken Holland needs to find a way to trade Jiri Hudler and his $2.875 million contract. It would have the Wings some extra cap room for free agency.