BUFFALO – The Sabres added more defense depth today, signing Andre Benoit to a one-year contract.
The deal’s worth $800,000, according to TSN’s Aaron Ward.
Benoit just completed his first full NHL season, compiling seven goals, 28 points and 26 penalty minutes in 79 games with the Colorado Avalanche. He averaged 21:17 of ice time.
The 30-year-old has 10 goals, 39 points and 40 penalty minutes 120 career NHL contests.
Sabres general manager Tim Murray knows Benoit well from their time together with the Senators – both Ottawa and Binghamton.
Murray was GM of Ottawa’s AHL affiliate in 2010-11 when Benoit had 55 regular-season points and 18 more in the postseason as Binghamton won the Calder Cup. Following a year in Russia, Benoit returned to captain the club in 2012-13 before moving up to Ottawa.
Benoit has 43 goals and 173 points in 319 AHL games and eight goals and 45 points in 64 playoff appearances. He also played three seasons in Europe.
He’s the fourth defensemen the Sabres have added this summer. They’ve also acquired Josh Gorges, Andrej Meszaros and Tyson Strachan. Eleven defenders under contract played in the NHL last season.
Benoit’s presence could push a prospect back to Rochester or junior.