Sabres' Kaleta suspended five games
The NHL has suspended Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta for five games, without pay, for boarding New York Rangers forward Brad Richards during Sunday's game, the league announced Monday.
Kaleta was issued the suspension after a telephone hearing with NHL discipline chief Brendan Shanahan.
Kaleta is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Based on his average annual salary, he will forfeit $76,219.25.
The incident occurred in the third period. Kaleta was assessed a major penalty for checking from behind and a game misconduct.
"In spite of the fact that Kaleta does not shove Richards with great force, he does so at an extremely dangerous distance from the boards," Shanahan explained via video, according to Pro Hockey Talk. "Kaleta is in full control of this play and has ample opportunity to make a better decision."
Kaleta has no goals and no assists in 18 games this season.
