Buffalo Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta will make his season debut tonight against the Wild, coach Ted Nolan told reporters Wednesday in Minnesota.
Kaleta hasn’t played an NHL game since Oct. 10, 2013. The team’s old regime banished the agitator to the minors following a suspension early last season. He tore his ACL weeks later. Kaleta took a puck to the face during a Sept. 28 preseason game.
Meanwhile, defenseman Josh Gorges, who suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday’s 6-1 loss in St. Louis, is out tonight. Nolan said he will be evaluated when the Sabres return home. Andre Benoit will replace Gorges.
Nolan said goalie Jhonas Enroth will start tonight.