Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres are bringing back a depth piece to their blue line over the last few years in the organization.
The Sabres announced on Friday the re-signing of veteran defenseman Kale Clague to a one-year contract worth the veteran league minimum of $775,000.
Clague first joined the Sabres organization in 2022 when he signed as an unrestricted free agent after not receiving a qualifying offer from the Montreal Canadiens. He then re-signed with the Sabres last summer after a season that saw him play 33 games in Buffalo, picking up four assists along the way.
This past year, Clague split the season between the Sabres and the Rochester Americans, appearing in just three games in Buffalo with a point. In Rochester, Clague played 42 games, scoring three goals and adding 20 assists for 23 points.
Clague was not available for the Amerks' playoff run this past season due to his presence as the seventh defenseman in Buffalo for the second-half of the year. He will either be back in Rochester this upcoming season with the Amerks or, once again, serving as a depth piece on the blue line with the Sabres.
The 26-year-old was set to become a restricted free agent with the Sabres again this offseason.
In 94 career NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings, Canadiens and Sabres, Clague has scored two goals and added 19 assists for 21 points.
NHL Free Agency formally opens on Monday at 12 p.m. ET.
