BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Goaltender Martin Biron of the Buffalo Sabres avoided salary arbitration on Thursday, signing a two-year contract that will pay him $1.9 million next season and $2.2 million in 2003-04.

For Biron, who tied a team record by appearing in 72 games last season, it will be a significant raise over the $750,000 he made last year.

"Everything is awesome," Biron said on Thursday. "I've got a month to get everything out of my system, the jitters, and look at training camp as a step forward."

Sabres general manager Darcy Regier is counting on Biron to build upon last season, his first as the team's starter.

"I think we all saw a young goaltender over the last few years (with) the opportunity to become an outstanding goaltender in this league," Regier said. "I think everyone feels, and Marty feels, that he can pick up where he left off."

The contract puts Biron on par with Ottawa goalie Patrick Lalime, who posted comparable numbers to Biron last season, and who also was in his fourth NHL season.

The deal was reached late Wednesday night when Biron elected to forego any bonus clauses, agent Gilles Lupien said.

Heading into arbitration, Biron had been seeking a deal in the $2.5 million a year range, while the Sabres were offering about $1 million less.

"You never want to have to put yourself through that whole (arbitration) process," Biron said. "I was able to go to bed not having to worry last night. I was thrilled."

Biron's contract leaves the team with two unsigned restricted free agents, forwards Maxim Afinogenov and Vaclav Varada. Backup goalie Mika Noronen, a rookie last year, re-signed with the team last month.

Biron took over as starter following Dominik Hasek's trade to Detroit in July 2001. After struggling in the first half of the season, he finished strong.

He posted a 31-28-10 record - finishing in a tie for 10th in victories. His 2.22 goals-against average also was tied for 10th among goalies who appeared in 20 or more games.

The Sabres also announced the signings of forward Jason Pominville and defenseman Radoslav Hecl.

Pominville, Buffalo's second-round pick in the 2001 draft, had 57 goals and 124 points with Shawinigan last season, finishing seventh in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League scoring.

Hecl was Buffalo's seventh-round pick in last June's draft. At 26, he has spent 10 seasons in the Slovak Elite League, where he had seven goals and 20 points in 50 games for Bratislava. Hecl also was a member of Slovakia's team that won the World Ice Hockey championship last spring.

The financially troubled Sabres are currently being operated by the NHL, which is awaiting bids from as many as five prospective ownership groups that have expressed interest in keeping the team in Buffalo.

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