Buffalo reels in Ehrhoff

And it didn’t matter to Regier that Ehrhoff had turned down an offer from the Islanders a day earlier after New York acquired him from Vancouver.

“As you know, it’s uncharacteristic for us to give up a fourth-round pick,’’ Regier said. “We just felt very strongly that if we could get to the player early that we would have the opportunity to sign him.’’

That happened during a long-distance phone call with Ehrhoff, who was playing a round of golf in his native Germany.

“We offered to talk to him after,’’ Regier said. “But he wanted to stop and talk about it there.’’

Ehrhoff then did his part by consulting with NHL players - including fellow German and Sabres forward Jochen Hecht - to get a feel for Buffalo and the Sabres under new owner Terry Pegula.

“I was very impressed,’’ Ehrhoff said, in a statement released by the team. “My goal is to win the Stanley Cup. And after the offer I received from Buffalo, I believe this is the best place to make it happen.’’

Ehrhoff had 14 goals, 36 assists, and a plus-19 rating in 79 games for Vancouver last season. He had two goals and 10 assists in the Canucks’ run to the Stanley Cup Final, but was a minus-13 while hampered with a nagging shoulder injury.

And Regier says the Sabres aren’t done yet. With the green light from Pegula to spend to the $64.3 million salary cap, he’s now turning his attention to address holes at forward.

Blackhawks ink Montador The Blackhawks agreed to a four-year contract with defenseman Steve Montador. The Blackhawks made the move a day after acquiring Montador’s negotiating rights from Buffalo for a seventh-round draft pick. Montador, 31, would have become an unrestricted free agent today. Montador had five goals and a career-high 21 assists last season and led the Sabres with a career-best plus-16 rating in 73 games … The Avalanche signed defensemen Ryan O’Byrne and Matt Hunwick. O’Byrne, who signed a two-year deal, was acquired from Montreal in November and had a career-high 10 assists in 64 games with the Avalanche. Hunwick, who signed a one-year contract, was acquired in a trade with the Bruins in November, and had 10 assists in 51 games with Colorado.

Tampa Bay saves Roloson The Lightning re-signed Dwayne Roloson to a one-year, $3 million deal. The 41-year-old goalie went 10-6 during the playoffs, helping the Lightning reach the Eastern Conference finals … The Hurricanes kept forward Jussi Jokinen, who was due to become an unrestricted free agent, with a three-year contract worth $9 million … Defenseman Sheldon Souray, who has one season left on a $27 million, five-year deal, was placed on unconditional waivers by the Oilers and will be bought out if he goes unclaimed … The Blues and center T.J. Oshie agreed to a one-year contract extension worth $2.35 million. Oshie, 24, would have become a restricted free agent today, and the Blues avoided salary arbitration.