(WGR 550) -- Sabres general manager Darcy Regier met with media Wednesday morning to discuss the signing of goaltender Patrick Lalime and the Day One doings in the NHL free agent market.
“We’re still working,” Regier said. “I've been on the phone this morning, and will continue to work. We’re really looking for a defenseman, and I remain hopeful."
Saying he's getting more calls than he received Tuesday, Regier submitted that the blue liner they're after doesn't fit an on-ice description.
“It’s as much about experience and fitting in with this group as being sound defensively," he said. "We’ll look at the offensive side, too. We think Sekera can cover a little bit of that, but we’ll look at that as well.”
Regier appeared unfazed by the 8-year, $56.8 million deal headed to his former defenseman, Brian Campbell.
“Since he wasn’t with us, good for Brian," Regier said. "I think the market caught a lot of people yesterday. It surprises me every year, this market place. I suspect that there will be a number of players on the market before their contracts are up, and we don’t want to be a part of that.”
For the second consecutive year, an offer was made to a restricted free agent in the league, but this year it wasn't a Sabre, as Vancouver offered St. Louis' David Backes a three-year deal. Regier said he spoke with the Blues on Tuesday.
“I was hoping the Blues... were going to match ait nd then sit on it a week so (Vancouver) can’t reload.”
Regier also said Cristobal Huet's contract shouldn't change the market place for goaltenders.
“Huet’s a very good goalie, and while he might be a little bit older, you can look at his wins and save percentage… he has a very good record," Regier said. "Montreal was very deep in goaltending. No discredit to Huet and the market place, and maybe it’s not out-of-line for him.”
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