Hometown Sports: Sabres Free Agent Moves

The Sabres gained one and lost one in free agency yesterday. Defensemen, that is. Buffalo agreed to terms with free agent Steve Montador on a two-year contract. The 29-year-old defensive specialist spent last season with the Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins, recording four goals and 17 assists in 78 games. On the other side, the Montreal Canadiens signed defenseman Jaroslav Spacek to a three-year contract.

Hometown Sports: Sabres Don't Expect Big Splash

NHL Free Agency began today at noon. Sabre GM Darcy Regier said he did not expect the team to be active in signing new players, but that he might try to improve the roster through trades. Buffalo has six unrestricted free agents, including Jaro Spacek and Max Afinogenov. They can match any offer made to restricted free agents Drew Stafford, Andrej Sekera or Patrick Kaleta. The Rangers traded forward Scott Gomez to the Canadiens.

HTN: Coyotes Move to Hamilton Blocked

Looks like the Phoenix Coyotes won't be moving to Hamilton, Ontario after all. A Bankruptcy Judge issued a ruling Monday saying a June 29th deadline imposed by intended owner Jim Balsille didn't allow enough time to resolve many issues raised in the case. Coyotes president Doug Moss, who formerly held the same position with the Sabre, says the team will likely stay in Arizona.

A tentative auction date has been set for June 22nd. There is believed to be at least three sets of owners looking to buy the financially struggling franchise, including Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. The National Hockey League has insisted the team remain in Arizona, even though the franchise has lost 300-million dollars since moving to Phoenix in 1996. The Sabres and Leafs had expressed concerned about a team in Hamilton infringing on their territories.