The Buffalo Sabres have signed defenseman Oskari Laaksonen to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Laaksonen, 20, was the Sabres' third-round selection (No. 89 overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft. The Tampere, Finland native has spent the past three seasons playing with Ilves of the Finnish Elite League, tallying 40 points in 113 games.
Among all-time Liiga defensemen before their age 21 seasons, Laaksonen ranks fifth in assists (35) and is tied for 18th in points.
Laaksonen's resume also includes a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship, which he won alongside fellow Sabres prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen with Finland in 2019. He recorded two points (1+1) and a plus-5 rating in seven tournament games.
"The work Oskari has put in to improve his game has paid off during his last two seasons," said Sabres general manager Jason Botterill. "His success on the international stage and what he's done as a 19- and 20-year-old playing in a professional league is impressive."
