BUFFALO, Aug. 3 -- In the market for a veteran goaltender after trading Dominik Hasek to the Detroit Red Wings, the Buffalo Sabres Friday agreed to terms with free agent Bob Essensa.
Terms were not disclosed for the 36-year-old Essensa, who figures to back up youngster Martin Biron in Buffalo.
Entering his 12th NHL season, Essensa, 36, went 18-12-3 with a 2.68 goals-against average and .892 save percentage in 39 games for Vancouver last season. He was released by the Canucks on June 26.
"Bob brings tremendous experience and professionalism to our organization," Buffalo general manager Darcy Regier said. "He is a proven goaltender and his knowledge of the position is going to help our younger netminders develop further."
Essensa signed with the Canucks after spending the 1999-2000 campaign with the Phoenix Coyotes. He has a career mark of 173-171-47 in 437 career contests with the Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Coyotes and Canucks.
Essensa spent the first six years of his career with Winnipeg and played in a career-high 67 games for the Jets in 1992-93, going 33-26-6 with a 3.53 GAA. In 1991-92, he was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, leading the NHL with five shutouts.
