First Signing: Martin Biron Joins New York Rangers

 

Not many people pegged Glen Sather to be busy this year in unrestricted free agency. But he made the first deal of the day once the market opened at noon. A main priority for New York was to acquire a reliable backup netminder to Henrik Lundqvist who was willing to take a role as a 10-15 game guy. And that goalie comes to New York in the form of Martin Biron. The 32-year old will join the Rangers on a two-year deal worth $1.8 $1.75 million, which TSN's Bob McKenzie breaks down to $950,000 next season and $800,000 in 2011-12. The deal will be an annual cap hit of $900,000 $875,000 to the Rangers' payroll.

"I’m very excited, I think it’s going to be fun. It’s a great organization and a great team," Biron told ESPN's Pierre LeBrun. "Looking forward to joining back up with Chris Drury, a great guy I played with in Buffalo. Really looking forwad to playing with Henrik Lundqvist and working with (goalie coach) Benoit Allaire. The Rangers are going to give me an opportunity to be able to do that."

Biron is a 12-year veteran who spent last season as one of many goaltenders to guard the crease for the New York Islanders. He saw action in 29 games, going 9-14-4 with a 3.27 goals against average and .896 save percentage. That was the Islanders, though, and Biron was also a 30-game winner in both Philadelphia and Buffalo previously. For a team in need of a cheap, yet steady backup presence in net, Biron is a solid signing.