The Buffalo Sabres have signed prospect Paul Byron prior to today's 5 p.m. deadline for losing him back to the NHL draft.

Byron, the Sabres' sixth-round pick in the 2007 draft, has agreed to a three-year, entry-level deal with the team. The 20-year-old forward had 33 goals and 99 points in 64 games with Gatineau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Byron told Sportsjuniors.com, the official site of the QMJHL, he isn't sure if he will be in the Sabres' organization next season or return for his final year of juniors.

Byron's offensive talents are offset by his size. He was listed last September in the Sabres' media guide at 5-foot-8, 135 pounds. Reports now have him at 5-9, 165.

The Montreal native has steadily increased his production in Gatineau. He had 21 goals and 44 points in 2006-07 and followed that with 37 goals and 68 points in 2007-08.

Forward Jean-Simon Allard also needs to be signed before today's deadline. NHL rules allow teams two years from the draft to sign their Canadian junior players. Allard had 16 goals and 40 assists with Quebec of the QMJHL.