"It was an easy decision to come back," Numminen told the Buffalo News from his home in Finland. "Being there two years, I really enjoyed myself and my family really felt comfortable in Buffalo. That was my first choice."
Numminen, 39, had two goals, 27 assists and a plus-17 rating while missing only three games last season.
"We are delighted to have Teppo back for a third season in Buffalo," Sabres GM Darcy Regier said Wednesday in a statement. "He provides great leadership and is a steadying influence on our blue-line, while continuing to act as a positive role model for our younger defencemen both on and off the ice."
In 16 playoff games he added four assists and had a team-high plus-10 rating, which tied with Anaheim Ducks Chris Pronger and Samuel Pahlsson for the league post-season lead.