BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Forward Zemgus Girgensons is returning to the Buffalo Sabres for a 10th season after signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract on Tuesday.

Girgensons is the team's longest-serving active player and was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next month. The 29-year-old's decision to return to Buffalo signals he believes the team finally is on the right track.

Despite extending their NHL-record postseason drought to a 12th consecutive season, the Sabres had 42 wins, their most since 2010-11, the last time they made the playoffs. Buffalo finished 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, falling two points short of making the playoffs.

Girgensons, who is from Latvia, was selected by the Sabres in the first round of the 2012 draft, and he has established himself as a valuable checking-line forward.

He's coming off a season in which he scored 10 goals and 18 points in 80 games. Overall, Girgensons has 81 goals and 174 points in 625 career games, which rank 13th on the team list.