Sabres Sign Andrej Sekera

BUFFALO (WIVB) - The Sabres have a logjam on their defense position.  But that's a good problem to have.  Tuesday, the team signed Andrej Sekera to a multi-year contract, avoiding arbitration.

Sekera now joins a blueline group that includes Tyler Myers, Robyn Regehr, Christian Ehrhoff, Jordan Leopold, Mike Weber, Marc-Andre Gragnani and Shaone Morrisonn and a large group of young prospects.

The team also re-signed veteran forward Matt Ellis, who is likely to spend much of the year in Rochester.  It's a two-way contract for Ellis this year, but a one-way, NHL only deal for next season.

Sekera played in 76 games, and had career highs in points and assists.

General Manager Darcy Regier said it was unlikely that Sekera's case would have gone to arbitration.  But the Sabres made sure of that with their contract offer.

"The contract actually reflects the case he had in arbitration.  For the points that he had, he would have done very well in arbitration.  What this provided us with is a long term contract with very good numbers."

Sekera made $1.25 million last season. 

Regier says the Sekera signing does not create a logjam at defense, but provides depth.