BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani to a one-year contract.

Gragnani was a restricted free agent whose rights were retained by the Sabres in June. He's an offensive-minded player who had a goal and six assists in seven games to lead Buffalo in a first-round, seven-game playoff series loss to Philadelphia in April.

He added a goal and two assists in nine regular-season games with Buffalo last year. Gragnani was also named the American Hockey League's outstanding defenseman last season after 12 goals and 48 assists with Portland.

Gragnani will have a tough test cracking the NHL this year after Buffalo upgraded its defense by adding veterans Robyn Regehr and Christian Ehrhoff.

From Montreal, Gragnani was selected by the Sabres in the third round of the 2005 draft.