Patrick Kaleta suspension: Hit on Jack Johnson costs 10 games, $150,000

In order to do so, they must first conduct a hearing with commissioner Bettman where he can agree with, limit or increase the original suspension. After a hearing that lasted in excess of three hours on Monday, Bettman ruled that the 10-game suspension would be upheld.

The defense was anchored by testimony from Kaleta, Buffalo manager Darcy Regier and counsel, which contended that Kaleta’s hit was not a violation of Rule 48 because Kaleta could not have avoided contact with Johnson’s head.

Kaleta has been suspended two times since 2011, qualifying him as a repeat offender under the Department of Player Safety’s watch. This typically means that his punishment will be more severe as a result. He was forced to sit out four games for head-butting Philadelphia Flyers forward Jake Voracek in 2011 and was suspended five games in March of 2013 for boarding New York Rangers forward Brad Richards.

The Sabres forward has been suspended while waiting for the hearing, which has resulted in his missing two games. This means his suspension could begin retroactively to Oct. 12. Whatever the case, it’s assumed that Kaleta will be forced to miss a sizable amount of time.