Blackhawks Sign Steve Montador to Four-Year Contract

Just one day after acquiring the negotiating rights to defenseman Steve Montador from the Buffalo Sabres, the Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have signed the 31-year-old blueliner to a four-year contract worth $11 million. The deal will average out to $2.75 million per season. He would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1. In 73 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres, he had five goals and 21 assists for 26 points and 83 penalty minutes. This is a decent signing for the Blackhawks, as Montador will bring plenty of grit and toughness to the team. He will also bring some offensive skill to the blueline, which will help fill the void that was created when the Blackhawks shipped Brian Campbell to the Florida Panthers on June 24.