BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Forwards Ales Kotalik and Curtis Brown
re-signed with the Buffalo Sabres on Friday.
Kotalik agreed to a one-year deal plus a team option. He is
expected to earn a significant raise over the $450,000 he made last
season. Kotalik is coming off a solid season in which he finished
third among NHL rookies with 35 points (21 goals, 14 assists) in 68
games.
"Last year, he proved he can score goals in this league and we
are excited that he will continue his development with our
organization," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said.
Brown signed a one-year contract worth $1.6 million after
earning $1.53 million last season.
He is a gritty, two-way center, coming off a disappointing
season -- his sixth full year with the Sabres. Brown managed just 15
goals and 31 points, representing his lowest point total since he
had 24 points in the 1997-98 campaign -- his first full season with
the team.
Brown's best season was in 1999-00, when he had 22 goals and 51
points in helping the Sabres reach the Stanley Cup finals.
Brown and defenseman Alexei Zhitnik are the longest-serving
current players with the Sabres.
"He has consistently been one the top defensive forwards and
has been a valuable member of our organization over his entire
career," Regier said.