BUFFALO – Patrick Kaleta, center? Believe it. It could be happen Wednesday, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.
Kaleta, a winger his entire nine-year career, has practiced in the middle the last two days. Nolan said Monday the Sabres could recall a center. For now, however, they are “going to keep the status quo.”
“He’s been waiting to get in,” Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “So we’ll maybe see how that works.”
Kaleta has played one game this season, a 6-3 loss Nov. 13 in Minnesota, his only NHL appearance in the last 13 months.
“One thing, he’s eager to play,” Nolan said. “He likes to track people. He wants to get in and contribute.”
If Kaleta plays center between Marcus Foligno and Chris Stewart, the Sabres would work him in. He wouldn’t take defensive-zone faceoffs. Nolan would also move other centers in.
In other injury news, center Cody McCormick, out with a possible concussion, “said he feels good,” Nolan said. Still, McCormick must undergo the proper protocol.
Meanwhile, defenseman Josh Gorges (knee) practiced today, his first full session since getting hurt two weeks ago.
Could he return sooner than expected?
“You never know with him,” Nolan said. “It could be sooner than later.”
Nolan only expected Gorges to be on the ice briefly.
Great for Kaleta he loves this town and this team he plays hard no matter what critics like to say. Great to see him back.