2010, Ehrhoff was struck in the ear by a puck during a game against Anaheim. He left the contest with what was initially considered a concussion; however, he was later diagnosed with vertigo instead and missed three games. Recording new career-highs in assists (36) and points (50), he led all Canucks defencemen in scoring, while ranking seventh among League defencemen. Ehrhoff was awarded his second consecutive Babe Pratt Trophy for his regular season efforts. Having won the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in team history, the Canucks entered the 2011 playoffs with the first seed in the West. They eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks in the first three rounds to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 17 years. Facing the Boston Bruins, the Canucks lost the series in seven games. While Ehrhoff led Canucks defencemen and ranked second in the League overall with 12 points (two goals and ten assists) over 23 games, he had a team-worst −13 rating. It was revealed following the Canucks' Game 7 defeat to Boston that he had been playing with an injured shoulder. Buffalo Sabres (2011–2014) Set to become an unrestricted free agent on 1 July 2011, Ehrhoff and the Canucks failed to come to terms on a new contract. Three days ahead of his free agency, 28 June 2011, his negotiating rights were traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. It was reported that Ehrhoff had turned down the same deal that former defensive teammate Kevin Bieksa had signed the previous day—a five-year, $23 million contract—to remain with the Canucks. Although the Islanders had three days of exclusive negotiating rights with Ehrhoff, General Manager Garth Snow self-imposed a one-day deadline to sign him. Unable to agree on a contract (Snow commented that the proposed deal was "well north" of the Canucks' offer), Ehrhoff was traded to the Buffalo Sabres on 29 June in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Two days later, Ehrhoff signed a ten-year, $40 million deal with the Sabres. The contract was worth $18 million in the first two years, then $4 million annually from the third to sixth years, $3 million in the seventh and $1 million in the remaining three. Ehrhoff admitted having a desire for the freedom of unrestricted free