"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. 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.

The top unrestricted free agent who played in Buffalo last season was Jaroslav Spacek. He signed a three-year, $11.5 million deal to play with the Montreal Canadiens.

"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."

"He's a solid, character individual who comes to play every night," Montador's agent, Steve Kaspar, 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.""