Steve Montador Signs With Buffalo Sabres

by David Oleksy on Jul 1, 2009 2:44 PM EDT

The Buffalo Sabres addressed a huge need by signing free agent Defenseman Steve Montador to a two-year contract. The signing is being reported as a two-year $3.1 million contract which is reasonable for a player that will fill a huge need for the Sabres.

Montador is a player that is not afraid to get dirty in the corners and plays a physical style of hockey. He will provide some toughness along with Craig Rivet on the Sabres blue line. He is a decent skater and like Rivet he can contribute some in the offensive zone.

He will probably play on the Sabres bottom pairing as a number five defenseman and he should flourish in that role.

The Sabres and GM Darcy Regier have stated that they need to get tougher and this move proves that they are serious.

Steve Montador

#23 / Defenseman / Boston Bruins

Height: 6-0

Weight: 210

Born: Dec 21, 1979

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Steve Montador	78	4	17	21	17	143	0	0	0	0	117	3.4

Montador played for both Anaheim and Boston last season and plays a physical style on the blue line. His stats are pretty impressive for a guy that will figure to be a 4-6 defenseman.

I'll have much more on this signing tonight as well as a full day one free agency recap. Stay tuned to Die by the Blade for more Sabres news throughout the day.

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Meh. I expected nothing less.

The population of Pominville keeps rising!

by Blackcapricorn on Jul 1, 2009 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

I’m okay with this. The signing didn’t break the bank. He’s an honest player.

It also tells me old 74 won’t be back in Buffalo now.

So we now have Rivet, Butler, Hank, Toni, Weber, Nathan, and maybe Myers fighting for six spots. Hopefully, Sekera gets signed soon.

by krytime on Jul 1, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

More to do

If they seriously think that this will get the job done (like Rivet last year), then we are all in big trouble. Hopefully Regier is actually able to trade some of his defensemen (Tallinder, etc) for a serviceable gritty forward. The toughness up front by players who can play a regular shift is seriously limited.
I like the signing (he was a +17 after all) but don’t love it. If they can get tougher up front, then I’ll be happy.

by bluecollarbuffalo on Jul 7, 2009 8:47 AM EDT reply actions