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.

Blackhawks Acquire Montador from Sabres

The Chicago Blackhawks announced on Wednesday evening that they have acquired the negotiating rights to defenseman Steve Montador from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for a seventh round pick in the 2012 or 2013 Entry Draft. The year of the pick is likely conditional on the Blackhawks getting Montador signed to a contract or not. He will be eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1. In 73 games last season, he had five goals and 21 assists for 26 points and 83 penalty minutes. Assuming the Blackhawks can get Montador under contract before he becomes a free agent, this is a decent move for the team. He will bring plenty of grit and toughness to the blueline, as well as some offensive skill. If Chicago can get him signed, he should be a good fit for the team.

Sabres Sign Defenseman Montador to Two-Year Contract

The Buffalo Sabres added some depth to their blueline on Wednesday by signing defenseman Steve Montador to a two-year contract worth $3.1 million. The deal averages out to $1.55 million per season. Montador split last season with the Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins after being dealt to the Bruins at the trade deadline for Petteri Nokelainen. In 78 games last season, he scored four goals and 17 assists for 21 points and 143 penalty minutes. This is a decent signing for the Sabres, as Montador plays with lots of grit and toughness and has some offensive skill. He will be a good depth player on the team’s defense next season.

Bruins Acquire Montador from Ducks for Nokelainen

The Boston Bruins added some depth to their defense on Wednesday by acquiring defenseman Steve Montador from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for center Petteri Nokelainen. The Bruins were rumored seeking a depth defenseman for the playoffs and had been linked to Jordan Leopold and Derek Morris, but the asking prices must have been high. In 65 games this season, Montador has four goals and 16 assists for 20 points and 125 penalty minutes. Nokelainen, who is currently sidelined with an eye injury, has played in 33 games, scoring three assists. Montador gives the Bruins a very tough defenseman with some offensive skill. He will fit in nicely as a depth defenseman in Boston. Nokelainen gives the Ducks a decent young, third line center who should fit in nicely on the rebuilding team.