The first domino has fallen. Christian Ehrhoff signed with the Krefeld Penguins of the German Ice Hockey League (Deutsche Eishockey Liga). Ehrhoff and his family spent the summer in the town where he will now be spending his time due to this glorious lockout.

Ehrhoff’s deal is interesting to say the least, mostly because its not a “contract” per say. His deal will allow him to return to the Sabres immediately after the lockout ends and the German league will pay $26,000 a month to insure Ehrhoff in the event of an injury. Obviously, all of us are hoping nothing happens to him while he is playing overseas, but at least he’s doing something to stay in shape.

Alexander Sulzer is also rumored to be in talks to play with another team in the same league, Düsseldorfer EG. It appears as though he is going to give himself a little more time to figure out what direction he’d like to go.

I know all of us are hoping this lockout will be over as quickly as it started, but realistically, we’re looking at a pretty decent chunk of time. No one can blame or be mad at players who have already signed/are contemplating signing elsewhere (yes people who call WGR550 to vent about nonsense, I’m looking at you). The players need to stay in shape and continue to make their living. If everyone will come to their senses sooner rather than later, everyone will be back here and we’ll have NHL Hockey.

With the lockout all but inevitable the Buffalo Sabres loaned 22 players to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. Luke Adam, Brian Flynn, Marcus Foligno, Zemgus Grigensons, Cody Hodgson, Jacob Legace, Jon Parker, Kevin Sundher, Corey Tropp, Phil Varone, Alex Beiga, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Brayden Mcnabb, Mark Pysyk, Connor Knapp, Riley Boychuk, Shawn Szydlowski, Nick Crawford, Matt MacKenzie and Nathan Lieuwen will all start the season with Rochester.

Forward Kevin Porter and defenseman Nick Tarnasky have also been lent to Rochester, but they must clear waivers. In addition 4 players have been returned to their respective junior teams. 2012 first round selection Mikhail Grigorenko was returned to Quebec of the QMJHL, Joel Armia was returned to Assat of the Finnish elite league, SM-Liiga, and Daniel Catenacci was returned to the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL. The team also announced the signing of goaltender Andrey Makarov to a 3 year entry level deal. Marakov was immediately returned to the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.