Buffalo Sabres: Former Sabres to watch at the 2018 Winter Olympics

Christian Ehrhoff – Team Germany

The German squad was one of those young teams you had to watch out for not too long ago. They still are, but their skills won’t be progressed anytime soon in South Korea.

Instead, veterans like Ehrhoff will check in. It’s not like the German defenseman doesn’t deserve it, either.

Ehrhoff may have only spent three seasons in Buffalo, but those were key years to keep the Sabres a little competitive. The start of the rebuild in Buffalo happened during Ehrhoff’s years, and he still found a way to put over 20 assists in every season with the Blades.

His career started with the San José Sharks, before moving over to the Vancouver Canucks where he enjoyed some of his best years, including going to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010.

Many will remember the 10-year contract the Sabres signed Ehrhoff to in 2012. This would never be allowed in the NHL today because it was front-loaded the first two years, averaged out in the middle then he would receive $1 million annually for the final three seasons.

That contract was one the Sabres would regret as they initiated a buyout of Ehrhoff’s contract after two seasons and will still be paying him for a while longer.

The 35-year-old now finds himself in the DEL with the Cologne Sharks, where he continues to produce with 31 points in 49 games.

Ehrhoff will get a chance to turn some heads with the German squad. This stint at the Olympics will likely be his best shot at world-known silverware.