Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Sabres announced today that they’ve re-signed forward Paul Gaustad to a new four-year contract. Gaustad, 26, was scheduled to be a restricted free agent on July 1.

“We felt it was very important to sign Paul to a multi-year deal at this stage of his career,” said Regier. “He has become an integral part of our team both on and off the ice in the past three years.”

Sabres will pay Gaustad 9.2 million, earning $1.7 million in the first year of the deal, and $2.5 million per year for the remaining three years.

The 6-4, 229-pound forward from Fargo, ND, scored 10 goals, 26 assists for 36 points in 82 games.

Selected in the seventh round (220 overall) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he set career-highs in goals, and assists and was only four Sabres to play in all 82 games.