Sabres Edge

Darcy Regier said at the NHL entry draft that his Buffalo Sabres team was looking for players who will compete on a daily basis. The general manager found one on the opening day of free agency.

The Sabres have signed defenseman Steve Montador to a two-year, $3.1 million contact. Montador is known more for his grit than his scoring, which is what the Sabres wanted.

"I certainly think the atmosphere in Buffalo is always competitive, and teams that play consistently will have that [competitiveness]," Montador said by phone." Would I say they needed that? I think they’ve always been consistent with that, but it doesn’t ever hurt to add more."

The 29-year-old unrestricted free agent started last season with Anaheim before being traded to Boston at the deadline. He played 78 games, recording four goals, 17 assists, a plus-17 rating and 143 penalty minutes. Montador added one goal, two assists, a plus-5 rating and 18 penalty minutes in 11 playoff games.

"He’s a solid, character individual who comes to play every night," Montador’s agent, Steve Kasper, said by phone. "He was looking to go to a place that has the same type of reputation as a team, competes hard, and Buffalo is a hockey city. He couldn’t be happier."

Montador, who was undrafted, is a seven-year veteran who has also played for Calgary and Florida. The 6-foot, 211-pounder has 18 goals, 50 assists and 604 penalty minutes in 368 career games.

"If I can contribute offensively, that’s great. If I can add some grittiness, that’s something I’m comfortable with, too," Montador said. "I feel there’s a few areas I can contribute, and those are just a couple of them."

Added Kasper: "He’s a gritty individual who at the end of the night, good or bad, you can always know he gave it everything he had. I think that’s a real credit to him, and I think he’ll fit in well with the Sabres."

---John Vogl