Sabres' new backup goalie -- Patrick Lalime

The Sabres have signed Patrick Lalime to a two-year, $2 million deal to back up Ryan Miller. Lalime was with Chicago last season behind Nikolai Khabibulin. The 33-year-old went 16-12 with a 2.82 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage.

Fans may remember him from his time with Ottawa in 1999-2003.

"He's excited to be coming to Buffalo," Lalime's agent, Ian Pulver, said by phone. "He's happy to be coming back in the Eastern Conference.

"He's a great personality. He's strong in the dressing room. He understands his role with Ryan Miller and looks to make Buffalo his home."

---John Vogl

Comments

[Morning Joe]

Keep drinking that Kool-Aid Chad. Ignorance must surely be bliss.

[Mikey]

As an ex-pat living in Chicago, I see Lalime as a great pick-up. I had more faith in the Blackhawks with him in the net than Khabibulin.

[Mike In Florida]

It looks like the Sabres will live with the players that got them close to the playoffs. Darcy keep up the good work, maybe next year with that great personality. With the slash the Sabres made it will save me $189 bucks because I won't have to purchase the NHL Center Ice package to see the same results. Thanks Darcy

[greg]

Looking forward to seeing "Marvin" in the Blue & Gold. Now we need to get Miller to put "Bugs" on his mask!!

[Buffalo Excuses]

Sean,

Nice try. I am a Sabres fan of many years and I am PESSED off.

[Sean]

again Buffalo Excuses, your amazing. unfortunately nabokov not available as a #2. sure your not a leafs fan?

[Chad]

"With the same team that didn't make the playoffs last year.

What reason should anyone have for excitement, or faith that the Sabres will contend this year?"

Haven't we been over this once already today, Morning Joe? Montreal went from 90 pts in 2006-07 (same point total as this year's Sabres, btw) to 104 pts and the #1 seed in 2007-08 with the same exact team. There, I debunked your theory that "teams who don't make the playoffs and don't make any changes cannot succeed the year after" and gave you some faith the Sabres will contend all in the same shot. Two birds. One stone.

[Morning Joe]

The season post-lockout had the benefit of a real faster and more open game, with obstruction penalties actually being called, and players unsure of how much they could get away with.

Did you see who just won the Cup the last two years? The high-flying, fast-skating, "new NHL" is long gone, along with most of the players who were on the post-lockout team.

So. Seeing as we're in the here and now, where does that leave the Sabres?

With the same team that didn't make the playoffs last year.

What reason should anyone have for excitement, or faith that the Sabres will contend this year?

[Buffalo Excuses]

Gopher,

How many names is Philly dumping this year? Oh wait, they signed Carter to a multi year deal!

Oh, and they JUST signed Metropolit. You know, the guy who manages to score a key goal against the Excuses.

Excuses are flowing in Sabreland...

[ElmaGolf]

"Boy, the Lawrence and Darcy sure know how to make a splash in free agency don't they? "

I think that exact same quote was repeated here many times the summer before the lock-out season.

You know, when Philly & the like signed all the names that they would be dumping a season & 1/2 later.

Like Heather B. said, Darcy's more a believer in making trades than chasing an open market.

Sure I would have liked to have picked up one of the early name D-Men, but Darcy's been able to uncover undervalued (or reasonabley valued) talent before.

[Buffalo Excuses]

The last time I used the phrase "great personality" was to explain an ugly date to my friends...

[Morning Joe]

Boy, the Lawrence and Darcy sure know how to make a splash in free agency don't they?

Pending a trade, I'd say it's safe to say we can all book our vacations in May without fear.

[Caps]

I'll take it.

[Heather B.]

Yeah, I've hated guys on my team before. Can't see why I couldn't go right on hating Avery even in blue and gold.

[Sports and Business]

They ought to change the name of the team to The Buffalo Excuses!

See you this time next year.

[Dom]

We'd always hate Avery.

DON'T sign him -- please.

[Bert S]

Lalime is a great sign. I'm surprised actually as I thought the quality would be more like a Marc Denis. Darcy, I know we have a stable of forwards, but can we get more aggressive and get Avery? I know everyone hates him... until he's on your team.

[Heather B.]

Yeah, I'm with 289. If a goalie wants to start or at least have a chance to compete, Ottawa's a much better home than Buffalo where Ryan is the undisputed starter. I imagine the "He understands his role with Ryan Miller" part of the quote above was important.

[Heather B.]

Yeah, I'm with 289. If a goalie wants to start or at least have a chance to compete, Ottawa's a much better home than Buffalo where Ryan is the undisputed starter. I imagine the "He understands his role with Ryan Miller" part of the quote above was important.

[twoeightnine]

Because Auld didn't want to sign here? He has a chance to start more in Ottawa.

[Bob Z]

Stanley Cupless, do you really think there is that much of a difference between the two to be that upset about it? It's a decent backup goalie for a decent price. Let's look foward to hopefully more signings (whether internal or external).

[Stanley Cupless]

Uhhhhhg. Why couldn't Darcy get Alex Auld!!!?