Patrick Kaleta's teammates will be taking their pregame naps on Long Island at the time that he will be facing NHL justice at the NHL HQ in Manhattan at 2pm today.
Last Friday came and went and the NHL didn't conduct its hearing with Buffalo Sabres right wing Patrick Kaleta. Its been scheduled for 2pm today.
The reason for the hearing is that Kaleta made questionable contact with Columbus D-man Jack Johnson in the first period of the Blue Jackets' 4-1 win in Buffalo on Thursday night. There was no penalty called on the play.
Kaleta was suspended for the past two games pending today's hearing.
According to the NHL, Kaleta was offered the opportunity for an in-person hearing as required by provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for any suspension that can exceed five games. He is suspended pending his hearing. Kaleta was forced to sit out the last two games against Chicago and Minnesota.
At 3:10 of the first period, Kaleta collided with Columbus defenseman Jack Johnson near the boards just inside the Buffalo zone. No penalty was assessed for that hit, but Kaleta received a fighting major after engaging with the Blue Jackets' Jared Boll after the hit.
Johnson remained in the game.
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.
Press play on the below video and fast forward to the :29 second mark.
Kaleta enters the picture, at a rapid rate and hits Johnson, who had just thrown a pass. Lega check. Kaleta's check was not late as it occurred a second after the pass left Johnson's stick.
It appears from the video as though Kaleta made high contact with Johnson. Was Kaleta's principle point of contact Johnson's head? Shoulder? Chest?
Did Kaleta violate Rule 48?
Thats for Brendan Shanahan and the Department of Player Saftey to determine.
Kaleta and Shanahan have developed quite an interesting relationship the past two years.
An in-person hearing carries with it a 5+ game suspension.
The NHL suspended Kaleta for 5 games last season for this hit on Brad Richards.
Kaleta was suspended for four games in 2011 fior this head butt in Jakub Voracek
**
Miller:
Ranked #42 out of 57 starting NHL goalies.
0-4 record; 153 shots faced, 9 goals against
2.29 GAA, .941 save %
236:04 minutes played
Enroth:
Ranked #45 out of 57 starting goalies
0-2-1 record; 88 shots faced, 8 goals against
2.65 GAA, .909 save %
114:12 minutes played
Combined:
241 shots faced
17 goals against
2.57 GAA
Miller is 10th in save % in the NHL
Enroth is 24th in save % in the NHL
**
The Sabres enter tonight’s game on Long Island ranked 30th out of 30 NHL teams in goal scoring.
7 goals in 7 games.
1.0 GAA
Breakdown:
5, 5-on-5 goals
2 PPGs
· The Sabres are being out-scored by a puck and a half per game. Dead last in the NHL.
· The Flyers are 29th with 1.33 goals per game
· The Predators and Rangers are tied for 28th with 1.80 goals per game
· The Devils are 27th with 1.83 goals per game
The NY Islanders are averaging 3 goals per game, 15 goals scored in 5 games (12, 5-on-5, 2 PPG, 1 5-on-3)
Join the Discussion:
»