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."

Montador, who was undrafted, is a seven-year veteran who has also played for Calgary and

Florida. The 6-foot, 211-pounder has 18 goals, 50 assists and 604 penalty minutes in 368

career games.

"If I can contribute offensively, that's great. If I can add some grittiness, that's something I'm comfortable with, too," Montador said. "I feel there's a few areas I can contribute, and those are just a couple of them."

"He's a gritty individual who at the end of the night, good or bad, you can always know he

gave it everything he had," Kaspar said. "I think that's a real credit to him, and I think

he'll fit in well with the Sabres."