BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta cleared waivers today, meaning the agitating winger will report to Rochester, his first AHL stint since 2007-08.
The Sabres waived Kaleta on Saturday, believing a stint in the minors would help him “redesign his game,” general manager Darcy Regier said.
The 27-year-old has been suspended twice in his last 21 games and four times in four seasons. The NHL most recently banned him 10 games for hitting Columbus’ Jack Johnson in the head Oct. 10.
Kaleta, Regier said, has “a significant amount of work that he will have to do” in the AHL, where he hasn’t played a game since April 6, 2008.
Kaleta plays with more heart then his entire team, which make him an awesome teammate and player. Maybe he is agitated because his teammates are to lax and lazy and his coaching staff especially Darcy don’t know what there doing with such a young team. Need more players with his talent and drive, then maybe buffalo could win the cup.
I couldn’t agree with Diane more. I live in west Michigan but am from western NY. I pay to see the Sabres on Directv and this season I want to vomit. Kaleta may only be a 4th liner, but he has more guts than nearly any Sabre player in recent memory. You need guys with heart to be a contender, even though they only have marginal talent. Some of these kids on this team will do well and others will fail – not because of a lack of talent, but because of a lack of heart. Guys like Kaleta could show them how to play hard every night. Does he need more self control? Sure, but WE STILL NEED HIS GUTS!