Hearing scheduled for Sabres' Kaleta
Buffalo Sabres right winger Patrick Kaleta faces an in-person hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Tuesday to review a collision with Columbus defenseman Jack Johnson during Thursday night's game against the Blue Jackets at First Niagara Center.
Kaleta is suspended while awaiting the meeting. The in-person hearing is a proviso of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for any potential suspension that could exceed five games.
The incident occurred at 3:10 of the third period when Kaleta ran into Johnson near the boards. Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll stepped into the fray to defend his teammate and Kaleta was assessed a fighting major but not a penalty for the hit on Johnson.
"The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: illegal check to the head. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review," the NHL said on its website.
Kaleta has a history of suspensions. In March, he received a five-game suspension that cost him $76,000 of his salary for a hit that sent New York Rangers center Brad Richards into the boards.
Because that hit was within 18 months of the current altercation, Kaleta is considered a repeat offender under the collective-bargaining agreement.
