Sabres Ink Numminen to One-Year Deal

[blackngold]

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced on Wednesday, July 4th the Sabres have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with unrestricted free agent defenseman Teppo Numminen.

The 2006-2007 season was Numminen's second in a Sabres uniform, and he finished the year with 29 points (2+27) in 79 games. Numminen also had 4 points (0+4) in 16 playoff games, and he was tied for the NHL lead (along with Chris Pronger and Sami Pahlsson) with a plus - 10 postseason rating.

"We are delighted to have Teppo back for a third season in Buffalo," Regier said, "He provides great leadership and is a steadying influence on our blueline, while continuing to act as a positive role model for our younger defensemen both on and off the ice."

Numminen, who turned 39 yesterday, set an NHL record last October 13 at Carolina when he played in his 1,252nd NHL game, the most ever by a European-trained NHL player.

In 1,314 career games, the native of Tampere, Finland, has scored 115 goals to go with 505 assists and 491 penalty minutes. Numminen has scored 39 career power-play goals, including six in both the 1995-96 and 1997-98 seasons.

Numminen has eclipsed the 40-point plateau seven times in his career. His top two seasons were 54 points (11-43) in 1995-96 with Winnepeg, and 48 (13-35) in 2001-02 with Phoenix.

Numminen was originally taken in the second round (29th overall) by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. Numminen has appeared in three NHL All-Star Games (1999, 2000, 2001), and he represented Finland in the 2006, 2002, 1998 and 1988 Winter Olympics.

[Isles4life]

His chances at a Cup have sure taken a hit, but Buffalo should still be a good team. The guy still gets the job done out there despite his age.

[R.Middleton]

This guy is one of my favorite players in the league. I am glad he can still find a team. It would be nice if he would come back and retire in Phoenix.