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Kaleta clears waivers, next stop: Rochester

Patrick Kaleta

Buffalo Sabres right winger Patrick Kaleta (36) screams after a fight as he gets escorted to the penalty box in front of the Philadelphia Flyers’ bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Saturday, April 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

AP

If Patrick Kaleta is going to straighten up his game, he’ll be doing it in the AHL for now.

The troubled Buffalo Sabres forward cleared waivers and was sent to the team’s minor league affiliate in Rochester.

Team GM Darcy Regier said before the Sabres’ 6-3 loss to Anaheim on Saturday night they tried to trade Kaleta but found no takers for him. They’re also worried they’re under the NHL’s thumb for what Kaleta has done over the past few seasons topped off by his 10-game suspension for elbowing Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson.

Kaleta will need to adjust his game in the AHL along the same lines how Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cooke adjusted his on the fly in Pittsburgh after numerous high-profile bad hits. If he can do that, there’s likely a spot for him back in Buffalo. Kaleta has another year remaining on his contract with the team.

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