Chicago Blackhawks signs defenseman Steve Montador to 4-year, $11 million contract –NHL Update
After playing for two seasons with Buffalo Sabres, Steve Montador had enough of Sabres and wanted to change teams as the two could not negotiate on mutual terms.
Buffalo had traded Montador’s negotiating rights on Wednesday to Chicago Blackhawks for a future seventh-round pick.
Hawks was able to agree on a deal with Montador who signed a four-year, $11 million contract on Thursday, which saved him from testing the free agency market set to start on Friday, July 1.
"At end of day I want to win, and win a Stanley Cup", Montador said during a conference call on Thursday evening. "Chicago has all those elements. I think a lot of focus and attention the media gives and all the channels following hockey is about dollars
and cents. As much as that's an important part of the game, to me -- and I think a lot of the guys -- it's about winning. … This was a no-brainer. I have no regrets about not checking out July 1, because I feel I got everything I ever wanted with the Blackhawks
right now".
The Canadian native from Vancouver, British Columbia, was picked up by Calgary Flames during the 2001-2002 season and played with the team’s farm club, Saint John Flames in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Montador finished off his 11th year in the National Hockey League (NHL) with Sabres last season in which he registered a career high of 26 points, 5 goals and 21 assists, in 73 games.
Chicago needed a defenseman and it got one, as it needed to fill a gap left by trading Brian Campbell to Florida for forward attacker, Rostislav Olesz.
Due to the trade, Blackhawks was easily able to save $4 million on its annual salary cap, since Montador had a cap-hit of $2.75 million annually.
Blackhawks still has enough salary cap space to acquire a number of other players, which it will definitely be looking into when the free agency officially begins on Friday.
With only a day left, looking at top prospects is number one on Chicago’s priority list and being hopeful of making a better impression next season, it is more of a need than want.
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