Steve Montador: Buffalo Sabre
July 1st, 2009 | by Vance |Well GMDR has surprised all of us, signing former Bruin defensemen Steve Montador to a 2 year, $3.1 million dollar contract. In a move that fits a glaring need, the Sabres have found the physical, gritty presence that they desperately lack on the blueline. No more.
One would think Montador would assume a 4th or 5th role with in the Sabres defensive corps. Last season, split between Anaheim and Boston (where he was a deadline acquisition) Montador averaged over 16 minutes per game, finishing the season with 4 goals and 17 assists, along with a healthy 143 PIMs.
He’s played 7 seasons in the NHL, including the Flames and Panthers, as well as the aforemention clubs, totalling 368 games. In those games he’s garnered himself 604 PIMs. This is just another step towards altering the landscape of this franchise away from undersized, speedy forwards to acquiring gritty, strong players to protect those undersized, speedy forwards.
Between last season’s acquisition of Captain Craig Rivet, the drafting of Zack Kassian, and now the free agent signing of Steve Montador, the Sabres won’t be kicked around anymore. About time.
Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Craig Rivet, Steve Montador, Zack Kassian
By DJ on Jul 2, 2009
While the addition of Montador certainly toughens up the D corps a bit, IMO it’s a bit off base to say that the Sabres “won’t be kicked around anymore”. While willing, Montador has lost the vast majority of his NHL fights. That being said – he’ll still be the second toughest guy on the blueline !
Any news on Peters ?
What are the chances of Kassian actually sticking with the big club at this point ?
By Vance on Jul 2, 2009
You’re right, it was probably a tad sensationalist to say that, but you can be guaranteed that the likes of Gomez running Miller won’t be worthy of retribution.
There’s been little chatter on Peters to this point. As much as we like Petey, the market for slow, stone-handed enforcers isn’t what it used to be. My guess is he’ll sign for league minimum somewhere, on a 2 way deal and spend most of his time in the AHL.
Along those same lines I don’t believe Moore was offered a contract, nor was Maxim. It seems that management is moving forward with this bigger mindset/philosophy.
Kassian sticking? We’ll have a much clearer picture of those chances after the Rookie Development camp next week and after the arbitration hearings for Mac, Stafford, and Kaleta.
If he brings an added dimension to the club, and Lindy will recognize that, he’s got a good shot. But if he’s an overwhelmed teen, amongst other overwhelmed teens, then he’ll learn the system in Portland with the rest of the rookies.
It will certainly be a battle between Kennedy, Gerbe, and Kassian (IMO) to make the Sabres roster.
Looking at the depth chart as it stands now…My guess is Kennedy nabs a Center spot while Gerbe and Kassian wait for call ups. But like I said, that’s a long ways away and that picture is pretty muddled at this point.
Hope that helps.
By DJ on Jul 2, 2009
I hear ya on Peters … but with the Leafs picking up Orr, IMO the Sabres have a need for a “legit” enforcer. Hopefully Peters can recapture his form from a few seasons ago when he was arguably a top 5 guy in the league.
I just stumbled on this site by accident, but it looks like a place I’ll frequent often. A whole lot of good info !
By Vance on Jul 2, 2009
Thanks for the kind words, just got it up and running right after the season ended (Yeah, I know, a ridiculous time to start a site), so tell your friends etc. etc. haha.
And as for Peters, if he signs for league minimum, he can sit on the bench while we wait for those matchups against the Leafs, Flyers, and Rangers.