Lalalalalalime

By Chris

I found out when I got into my car, just leaving work and turning on the radio. When I got home, I got the full details.

5:04PM Buffalo signs UFA goaltender Patrick Lalime to a 2 year deal worth $2-million

He's the reliable veteran the Sabres were looking for and he's not that expensive. Considering how weak the goaltending free agent class is this year (and the entire class as a whole), it looks like a pretty good signing.

The key for Lalime to be successful in Buffalo is to establish himself early in the season as a reliable option. The Sabres are only going to ask him to play about 20 games but if Lalime cracks early, then there once again is no confidence in the back up goaltender.

When the Sabres had Biron backing up Miller, they knew they had a reliable guy that was trusted by his teammates. Throw an unknown in there (potential chemistry killer) and suddenly everyone is second guessing their decisions on the ice, especially in their own end, because no one is sure if the guy between the pipes is going to stop that shot. If Lalime shows early in the season that he can give the team a chance to win, then it should be a happy marriage.

I mean, he's gotta be better than Thibault, right?