"Terry Pegula said the Buffalo Sabres would be aggressive in free agency. After they acquired the rights to Christian Ehrhoff, one of the premier defensemen remaining on the marketplace, it became obvious the owner wasn't kidding.

The Sabres sent a fourth-round pick in next year's draft to the New York Islanders on Wednesday night just for the right to talk with Ehrhoff, who helped Vancouver reach the Stanley Cup finals.

The Sabres weren't done, trading the rights of defenseman Steve Montador to Chicago late Wednesday night for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2012 or 2013 NHL draft.

Ehrhoff was the night's biggest move. The pending unrestricted free agent was shipped earlier this week to the Isles, who were unable to sign him despite an offer reported to be for five years and more than $23 million. He made $3.4 million last season.

The Sabres were unable to talk with Ehrhoff on Wednesday night because he was in his native Germany, which has a six-hour time difference. The Sabres did talk with Ehrhoff's agent, Rick Curran, who will set up a call today.

"Sabres management will have an opportunity to reach out and chat with him a little bit about their organization, express to him their aspirations for bringing him to Buffalo and what they hope to accomplish," Curran said by phone.

Ehrhoff will be available to all 30 NHL teams at noon Friday if the Sabres fail to sign him before then.

The defenseman, who turns 29 next week, has back-to-back seasons with 14 goals. He recorded 36 assists and 50 points with the Canucks this year, both career highs."