Buffalo Sabres land free-agent defenceman Montador on Wednesday

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Defenceman Steve Montador agreed to a two-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres on the first day of NHL free agency.

Montador, a seven-year NHL veteran, finished last season with Boston after being acquired from Anaheim in March. He had four goals and 17 assists in 78 games last season.

Noted for his gritty defensive style, Montador's best season came in 2007-08, when he had career bests with eight goals and 23 points in 73 games with Florida. Undrafted after completing his Canadian junior career, he broke into the NHL with Calgary during the 2001-02 season.

Montador bolsters a Sabres defence corps that stands to lose veteran Jaroslav Spacek to free agency this summer.