A Player Per Day: No. 4: Steve Montador

[Eleven]

Thought this might be interesting; I'll start a new one for each player every day, in numerical order.

 

Keep in mind that in some cases, there may be addition by subtraction, and in some cases, a high salary might justify what looks like an uneven trade (thus the second to last option). I'll average the scores for each player at some point, maybe after a week for each player or something.

 

And yes, I will do this for coaches, GM, and LQ, right after the last player.

 

So today, we begin with No. 4.

[theend]

Interesting idea - it's definitely something worth checking in on each day, IMO. I feel like we get a good sense of what people think of the big names, but not as much the middle of the road guys.

 

I'm lukewarm on Montador (hence, a 3) - he has good moments and bad, but he does play hard and physical. A decent d-man for the 3rd pairing. I highly doubt he's trade-able, and even if he was, what we'd get for him isn't likely to make much of an improvement.

[CallawaySabres]

He reminds me of Jim Morrison so that alone is worth it for me. Seriously though, I think he has played great the last month. Keep him

[SDS]

I have made my feelings known. About 4 months ago I stated that when this guy handles the puck - he scares the crap out of me. Plus, I have never seen a dman carry the puck through his own crease as much as him.

 

Fast forward 4 months and there he is - carrying the puck, falling flat on his ###### and setting up the SEASON ending goal. :censored:

 

We don't need to get rid of him at all costs, but the sooner the better.

[VansTheMans]

I like: Skates hard, joins the rush and isn't afraid to lay the body on someone.

 

I dislike: Him crossing in front of Miller from behind the net 5 times a day. He's also NOT a guy I want on the ice during a critical point in the game. Twice he fell and lost the puck in his own zone this season, and both times it led to other team putting it in the back of our net. I can't forgive a player for single handedly blowing a game.

 

I wouldn't mind keeping him for one more year (the remainder of his contract), but I would bench him/waive him if we acquired a better defenseman to play in his place.

[Stoner]

Loved him this season. Especially impressed by how he rebounded from his January slump and benching to end up on the top pairing come playoff time.

[sabretribe]

I agree. Id keep Montador. Had a good series, plays physical which this team lacks, and isnt afraid to pinch and or join a rush up the ice. Acutally compared to some of our other d-men id take a couple more Montadors.

[bob_sauve28]

I picked 3. We might be in all sorts of trouble at defense if Lydman, Tallinder and Montidor leave. Good grief! We have to sign at least one and hopefully two of them. I like Montidor for his toughness, pretty decent puck handler and has a short memory which he needs sometimes. He isn't a top level defenseman and should not be paid like one, though.

[wonderbread]

Meh I'm sick of seeing him fall with the puck.

 

Lets get some friggin talent.

[shrader]

I picked 3. We might be in all sorts of trouble at defense if Lydman, Tallinder and Montidor leave. Good grief! We have to sign at least one and hopefully two of them. I like Montidor for his toughness, pretty decent puck handler and has a short memory which he needs sometimes. He isn't a top level defenseman and should not be paid like one, though.

 

Montador has another year on his deal, so he's only gone if they trade him. With that said, he has a very affordable contract and is solid enough in his own end that he's worth keeping around.

[BuffalOhio]

Montador has another year on his deal, so he's only gone if they trade him. With that said, he has a very affordable contract and is solid enough in his own end that he's worth keeping around.

 

+1

[rickshaw]

Montador has another year on his deal, so he's only gone if they trade him. With that said, he has a very affordable contract and is solid enough in his own end that he's worth keeping around.

 

Does nobody here remember that Reiger doesn't really make trades!

[sabretribe]

Meh I'm sick of seeing him fall with the puck.

 

Lets get some friggin talent.

 

Agreed we need some talent. A top #1 or #2 defenseman that can run the point on the power play and is solid in his own end. For the money we are paying Montador i detinately keep him as a 5th or 6th d-man though.

[Chief Enabler]

Montador has another year on his deal, so he's only gone if they trade him. With that said, he has a very affordable contract and is solid enough in his own end that he's worth keeping around.

 

 

+1

 

 

Agreed we need some talent. A top #1 or #2 defenseman that can run the point on the power play and is solid in his own end. For the money we are paying Montador i detinately keep him as a 5th or 6th d-man though.

+3 case closed, who's next?

[spndnchz]

+4. For the money he's great but I'd trade him for a top 1-2 d-man.

[Buffalo Wings]

Keep him for another year and let him finish out his contract, then let him go...but I wouldn't be upset if he was traded away. There has to be something said for a veteran defenseman with a little toughness, despite his mistakes.

[SDS]

Keep him for another year and let him finish out his contract, then let him go...but I wouldn't be upset if he was traded away. There has to be something said for a veteran defenseman with a little toughness, despite his mistakes.

 

His "mistakes" led to two goals that ended our season. That's what players like him do in crunch time. They pucker and make colossal mistakes.

[mphs mike]

+3 case closed, who's next?

 

 

We need the talent to ensure he is in the third pairing.

[SwampD]

His "mistakes" led to two goals that ended our season. That's what players like him do in crunch time. They pucker and make colossal mistakes.

So I guess Connolly should go as well (Oh, please, please, pretty please.)

 

I liked Montador. I'd rather keep him.

[FearTheReaper]

Montador has another year on his deal, so he's only gone if they trade him. With that said, he has a very affordable contract and is solid enough in his own end that he's worth keeping around.

 

 

Excellent point on the contract.

 

I'd like to add that he is a fairly good skater and adds some grit to the back end. In essence, he is an average 2 way dman, who adds experience, that deserves a spot on this team. Solid enough for me to keep, maybe for another 2 years after the deal ends. The new Lydman? :ph34r:

 

However if, (hypothetical example) a team like Columbus rang Darcys blackberry and said they wanted a Roy, or Pommer, or TC , Montador, and our 1st for Rick Nash, hes gone. But that is in my world of hockey, not reality. :blush:

 

Imagine this first line after... , we tweak other roster spots and contracts and ship out someone with a big bank account an bring in Nash.

 

Vanek - Connolly / Roy - Nash :worthy:

 

Fantasy / over

[gomper]

Keep. In a dream world he'd be a nice luxury to have as a 7th D but given the lack of talent here he fits in well in the third pair. Physical, hard-working, and intense. Puck handling skills leave something to be desired but as was mention he shook off his bad stretch and played better in the last third. He stays.

[SabresneedaCup]

i voted must keep him. he plays with heart every single game.

[FearTheReaper]

i voted must keep him. he plays with heart every single game.

 

Agreed, he is a worker. Not a glam guy. We need more of that.

[papazoid]

you keep montador for the one year left on his very reasonable $1.5 deal. he elevated his game in the playoffs. he was mostly paired with lydman.....so it's hard to look good with that partner.

[deluca67]

If the goal is the Stanley Cup you need to do a lot better than Steve Montador. The only defenseman that looked worse is caig Rivet.