BUFFALO — Unable to meet defenseman Jaroslav Spacek’s contract demands, the Buffalo Sabres wasted little time to find an experienced — but less expensive — replacement: Steve Montador.
The seven-year NHL veteran agreed to a two-year $3.1 million contract shortly after free-agency opened Wednesday. He’ll make $1.55 million — nearly double what he earned last year — in each season.
Montador had four goals and 17 assists in 78 games last season, which he finished with Boston after being acquired from Anaheim in March. He is a physical player who picked up 143 penalty minutes last season.
Listed at 6-feet and 211 pounds, Montador lacks Spacek’s offensive touch, but does provide the Sabres with more toughness along the blue line.
“We think there’s still an upside to his game,” general manager Darcy Regier said, referring to Montador. “And knowing that we were going to lose Jaro, we felt we needed to bring someone in. ... With the grittiness and toughness he brings, it’s an added dimension for us.”
The Sabres had given up on re-signing Spacek, who became a free agent after rejecting the team’s one-year contract offer. Spacek, who led Buffalo defensemen with eight goals and 45 points last season, signed a three-year contract reportedly worth $11.5 million with Montreal on Wednesday.
Montador jumped at the opportunity to play with the Sabres, because of the immediate interest they showed in him, and because Buffalo is a short drive from his family and friends in Mississauga, Ontario.
“It was an easy decision on a number of levels,” Montador said by phone. “One, it’s always been a competitive team. ... And another point, it’s close to home. I haven’t been this close in a number of years.”
Undrafted after completing his Canadian junior career, Montador broke into the NHL with Calgary during the 2001-02 season. He also spent three seasons playing with Florida, including 2007-08, when he had career bests with eight goals and 23 points in 73 games.
Montador will be given an opportunity to compete for a job among the Sabres top-two defensive pairings, which will include returning veterans Craig Rivet, Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder. The Sabres are also high on several youngsters including Andrej Sekera and Chris Butler.
Tyler Myers, the team’s 2008 first-round draft pick, will also be given an opportunity to make the team this season, though he’s still eligible to play junior hockey.
Sabres
Related Photos
-
Dean Duprey
SABRES: Buffalo ships Spacek to Montreal, signs Montador
- Sabres
-
-
Miller, Sabres blank the Bruins
With Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff nursing three broken ribs and watching from the press box, goalie Ryan Miller made 36 saves to earn his second shutout in three games in a 6-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night.
-
Ruff stuff
As if the Buffalo Sabres haven't endured enough injuries already this season. Add coach Lindy Ruff to the list.
-
Rangers top Sabres in a shootout
Henrik Lundqvist came out on top in a duel of goalies, stopping 34 shots through overtime and four of five in a shootout in the New York Rangers’ 1-0 win over Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.
-
Gaustad leads visiting Sabres to 3-1 win over Canadiens
Paul Gaustad had a goal and two assists to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.
-
Chara opens All-Star draft by picking Datsyuk
Daniel Alfredsson stuck close to home — both his native Sweden and his adopted home of Ottawa — in making his selections in the NHL All-Star draft on Thursday night.
-
Sabres snap 12-game road skid
Jason Pominvile and Nathan Gerbe scored in a shootout and Ryan Miller made 27 saves as the Buffalo Sabres snapped a 12-game losing streak on the road with a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
-
Losipeg
Ondrej Pavelec made 25 saves and the Winnipeg Jets beat Buffalo 4-1 on Thursday night, extending the Sabres’ franchise-record road losing streak to 11 games.
-
Blackhawks blow out Sabres, 6-2
Jonathan Toews had two goals, rookies Andrew Shaw and Jimmy Hayes also scored, and the Chicago Blackhawks handed the Buffalo Sabres their 10th straight road loss, 6-2 on Wednesday night.
-
Rough Road
Home ice has never been more of an advantage to the Red Wings than it has over the last 2 1-2 months.
-
Leafs overturned
Jason Pominville scored the go-ahead goal with 5:47 left in the second period, and the Buffalo Sabres held on for a 3-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night.
- More Sabres Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
