Buffalo Sabres 2017 third-round pick (89th overall) Oskari Laaksonen has signed a two-year extension with Ilves in the Finnish pro league Liiga.
There was some possibility that Laaksonen could come over to North America next season, but this move will extend that timeline.
Laaksonen was a mystery pick back in 2017, but has developed nicely to this point. He has three goals and 13 points in 25 games during his first full pro season in Liiga.
He’s played good minutes as a 19-year-old for Ilves and is going to be a top pair defenseman for Finland in the upcoming World Junior Championships.