OTTAWA, Ontario -- The Ottawa Senators got stronger between the pipes Tuesday with the signing of goaltender Dominik Hasek to a multi-year contract.

Hasek, a Stanley Cup champion and six-time Vezina Trophy winner, will replace Patrick Lalime, who was dealt to the St. Louis Blues last month for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2005 NHL Draft.

Hasek dressed for just 14 games last season with the Detroit Red Wings because of a nagging groin injury. The 39-year-old posted an 8-3-0 record with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage.

The two-time Hart Trophy winner underwent groin surgery in May and is reported to be in good condition.

"I feel very good and there shouldn't be any problems," Hasek said at a morning news conference.

Hasek joined the Red Wings before the 2001-02 season, winning his first Stanley Cup that campaign. He retired in 2002 but came back to the Motor City before last season.

In 595 career NHL games between Chicago, Buffalo and Detroit, Hasek has recorded a 296-192-82 record, 63 shutouts, 2.23 GAA and 0.92 save percentage.

The Czech Republic native ranks first among active and all-time NHL goaltenders in save percentage (.924), third among active goalies (14th all- time) in shutouts (63), and sixth among current netminders (8th all-time) in goals-against-average (2.23).

Lalime was 25-23-7 in 57 contests last season with a 2.29 goals-against average. He played in seven playoff games, allowing 1.96 goals per game, and recorded three wins as the Senators bowed out in the first round of the playoffs against Toronto in seven games.