Analyzing Steve Montador's Value

by Rafal Ladysz on Nov 17, 2009 5:50 PM EST

Darcy Regier, general manager of the Buffalo Sabres, has made small acquisitions over the past couple of years hoping that they pay dividends. It's no different than a gambler heading out to a horse race and placing a little amount of money on the animal that nobody expects to win.

Should you reap the rewards of such long odds, the pay-out is indescribably enormous. Regier should feel good about himself with the form Buffalo has shown and the team work that has them atop the Northeast Division. An off-season signing, Steve Montador is adjusting according to the needs and wants of the organization.

At just over $1.5 million dollars in payment, the rugged defender has been a nice find hitting anyone in front of him, fighting in crucial moments and delivering a tad bit of offense to boot. I doubt we'll witness anyone run over Ryan Miller without suffering the consequences. Go ahead Scott Gomez, try your luck twice.

Starting with Calgary back in 2002, Montador has represented five different teams over his career and three in the span of a year. A couple of things about him that have stood out so far besides what I mentioned earlier: he's taken 36 shots or 13 more than the rest of the Sabres defensive corps. Throwing pucks at the net is never a bad idea and the Buffalo rearguards would be wise to attempt more themselves.

I've already noticed Montador jump into the play casually trying to make an impression. The 22 penalty minutes he has received are sixth most on the team and Paul Gaustad is the only regular to have gotten more majors.

Why is that good? Well, this team has been bullied because of their lack of size before and Montador isn't the type to stand for that kind of abuse. And lastly, versatility puts him in line for several duties seeing as how he even utilized the role of a forward in his days with the Panthers.

If you'll take a look at his answers from the emails of fans, Montador makes it abundantly clear that he expected and hoped for such a large workload upon joining Buffalo which is what he's gotten to this point.

Having taken heat for not loosening his wallet a bit more as he could have, Regier should get full credit for bringing Montador aboard because his tools can serve the team well. Scoring and goaltending have been two stronger suits for the Buffalo Sabres usually.

Character is what we lacked and Steve Montador has loads of it.

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Montador has been a great addition. We haven’t had a defensemen in a while who has showed some toughness. Campbell, Spacek, Sekera, Weber, Lydman, Tallinder, etc… Rivet is a good one. Paetsch? Not Butler. Myers is still young. I hope this kid gets mean. I mean Chara mean. Nasty. Goonish (perhaps even Playfair Mean). I had the same hope for Tallinder, but it hasn’t panned out. Tallinder must have had a great childhood, cuz he just seems like the nicest guy. Maybe he has sisters. For his size, it’s surprising how much he ends up on the wrong side of the hit. If something were to really piss him off (Ruff benching him didn’t work), Tallinder could be great. I’ve always liked are D, but toughness has definitely been missing for a while. In summation, yeah, I like Montador. Good call.

by KTyczka on Nov 17, 2009 7:39 PM EST reply actions

Oh yeah, I also like how you give Regier some credit. I read a lot of bitching and moaning in these posts. The same people bitch’n never seem to give credit when credit is due. Again, good call.

by KTyczka on Nov 17, 2009 7:46 PM EST reply actions

My thoughts exactly.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Nov 17, 2009 7:55 PM EST reply actions

Thanks fellas

Montador’s been a real solid player.

by Rafal Ladysz on Nov 17, 2009 8:23 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

Enjoyed the article, and have fallen for Montador this year, but I wouldn’t call signings like he and Grier long-odds signings. I prefer to think of them as smart – we needed some sandpaper and Darcy went out and got solid players on the cheap. The re-emergence of Tallinder and the fact that Myers has all but replaced Spacho’s offensive production has helped cover up those off-season issues. That’s really where I’d say he got lucky.

by Andy Boron on Nov 17, 2009 8:46 PM EST reply actions

Nice piece (again) Rafal…

I agree here. Regier needs to get a tip of the hat for this signing. I’ve been critical of Regier in the past (despite what Ron A thinks), but he did some nice work here. A lot of people (myself included) expected some splash this off season and didn’t get it. I guess sometimes you don’t need to splash…and it works.

What continues to surprise me about Montador is his skill level. I really thought he was a no talent hack who dropped the gloves every once in awhile to keep his job. Now, I’m not saying he’s Paul Coffey, be he’s certainly no Bill Hajt either. At 1.5, he’s a perfect fit as a 5th/6th defenseman.

Just wondering – why has he been with 5 different teams since 2002, and three within the last year? Was it him, or was he in a bad spot in each case? Does this mean Ruff might get some credit for bringing out the best in him?

by krytime on Nov 17, 2009 8:54 PM EST reply actions

1) Keep my name out of your vocabulary

2) I’m pretty sure you have a tear-stained pink Sabres sluggalo jersey with Regier’s name on the back of it somewhere in your house.

by Ron A on Nov 17, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry folks – this goes back to another post…

Ron, please, correct me if I’m wrong, but you said this:

I don’t want to hear your rehashed excuses about how happy you are they are spending what they are,

Now, you’re saying this:

I never said they were YOUR original excuses

Uh, I think you did. Make up your mind.

I believe you called me out on being a Sabre/Regier apologist. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’ve criticized the General Manager and the organization as a whole the last few years; more than I cared to. I’ve also tipped my hat when I felt it was deserved. You stated I had some "rehashed excuses" for this team. That doesn’t make any sense when it comes to discussing any of my comments.

If you really want to engage in a war of words, you’d best sharpen your verbal machete.

2) I’m pretty sure you have a tear-stained pink Sabres sluggalo jersey with Regier’s name on the back of it somewhere in your house.

[For the record – I hate the new jersey/logo]

Yes, I do. It was the one your girl left behind before her walk of shame…

by krytime on Nov 18, 2009 1:41 AM EST up reply actions

There is no “now”, I said both of those things at the same time, what is your disability? Why are you bringing THAT conversation into THIS conversation? And isn’t it possible for someone to rehash excuses made by others?

by Ron A on Nov 18, 2009 9:49 PM EST up reply actions

Listen – you didn’t say both of those things at the same time. You clearly made it sound like they were my “rehashed excuses.” That’s why I took offense, and continued on with this. I also found those “deal with it” comments to be aggravating. I don’t think I was as wrong as you made it out to be.

Peace…

by krytime on Nov 19, 2009 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

Nice of them to delete my response to your “walk of shame” comment, yet leave yours up.

Where do I cancel this account?

by Ron A on Nov 21, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks kry

I’m not sure why he’s moved around so often but with Anaheim I’m sure it was just the numbers game after they acquired wisniewski and whitney there wasn’t much room for him and boston just wanted him for their playoff run.

by Rafal Ladysz on Nov 17, 2009 9:19 PM EST reply actions

For some reason I thought Montador was older than 29.

by Afino on Nov 17, 2009 9:30 PM EST reply actions

Me too..

by krytime on Nov 17, 2009 10:56 PM EST up reply actions

He’s been around and if you remember, scored the game winner for Calgary in game one of the western conference finals in 2004.

by Rafal Ladysz on Nov 17, 2009 11:19 PM EST reply actions

Living in Boston, I watch a lot of Bruins games when the Sabres aren’t playing (man I love center ice) and watching Montador play for the B’s in the 2nd half of last season was great, and thus excited me when the Sabres signed him this offseason. He’s exceded my expectatons so far this year. He’s the kind of guy who isn’t afraid to lead by example, and provides exactly the intangables this young Sabres team needed to be successful.

by dragonwag0n on Nov 18, 2009 2:39 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I liken Montador to a more skilled Bob Boughner. good in his own end, willing to throw hands when needed and he isn’t afraid to throw the puck to the net.

by gatornation on Nov 18, 2009 8:39 AM EST reply actions

We liked him in Florida. Came to play every night. Great article, Rafal.

Litter Box Cats - Your SBNation Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Nov 18, 2009 8:41 AM EST reply actions

Great article. Montidor was the missing link that the Sabres needed to be truely competetive. Regier found the one free agent that could significantly improve the team without adding a rediculusly high salary toward the cap.

by Geolover on Nov 18, 2009 9:26 AM EST reply actions

There was a bit of concern ...

With the departure of Spacek and some of his workload shifting to Montador.

Based on the results so far, I think the team has done well for itself to get this guy.

Hope he can keep it up!!

by sabre74kkn on Nov 18, 2009 1:54 PM EST reply actions

Spacek has done nothing in Montreal. His great numbers last season were because of the contract year he was in.

by Rafal Ladysz on Nov 18, 2009 1:56 PM EST reply actions

paying off...

I remember when he first signed a lot of other Buffalo fans poo-pooed the idea that he would help… “the Sabres are cheap” “Regier doesn’t know what he’s doing” wha, wha, wha… I remembered him playing pretty well for the Flames in the playoffs years ago and for Anaheim last season… he was even a plus player on some not so hot Florida teams. I thought he’d fit nicely, tough, no BS, team guy… and I like what I’ve seen… a few games ago I was cracking up then the Sabres were making a change Connolly (I think) carried in and was raggin’ the puck along the boards in the offensive zone… who was the other Sabre in deep (down near the opp net) Montador… hits, scraps, jumps into the offense… love it! Nice job & keep it up Monty!

PS nice to see Mair still around…

by Josh T on Nov 18, 2009 2:19 PM EST reply actions

I was actually one of the few who were excited to see him come to Buffalo, if not just for his size and playstyle to bring some balance to the lineup.

by The Burl 8 on Nov 18, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

Who’s the next piece going to feature Rafal? Am I hot or cold guessing Grier?

by krytime on Nov 18, 2009 2:22 PM EST reply actions

That could be a fun game...

guessing what player will be next. I know I have said this before but I am extremely happy to have him on board.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Nov 18, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

I am extremely happy to have him on board.

I don’t think you’re the only one either…

by krytime on Nov 18, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks again guys

I just finished a new piece listing 10 rookies who have been impressive. As for the next article on a player, I still haven’t decided but I’m open to suggestions from all.

by Rafal Ladysz on Nov 18, 2009 3:16 PM EST reply actions