Not only are the Buffalo Sabres the worst team in the NHL thus far, they’re also the team who’s lost the most games to player suspension thanks to two very questionable hits from John Scott and Patrick Kaleta.
Scott was suspended indefinitely yesterday pending an in-person hearing with the NHL’s Dept of Player Safety after his cheap shot of Loui Eriksson. As of this writing, that meeting has not yet been scheduled.
The hit by Scott has already been derided around the league, with responses ranging from sad head shaking to the calling for Ron Rolston’s head. He’ll be facing the minimum five game game suspension for an in-person hearing, and could face more simply for his reputation as a goon, deserved or undeserved. Scott has not previously been suspended by the league, and thus should get some leniency as a first time offender.
Erikkson was diagnosed with a concussion after the hit, and stayed in Buffalo overnight as a precaution. He is also out indefinitely.
In other Sabres suspension news, Patrick Kaleta’s appeal of a 10-game suspension was upheld by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman yesterday in a 17-page response. Kaleta has already missed six games, though he does have the option of appealing Bettman’s decision by taking his case to a neutral arbitrator.
The Sabres are now down by two on the fourth line, and with Corey Tropp and Ville Leino still recovering from injury, they have some spots to fill. Kevin Porter was sent down to Rochester yesterday and Cody McCormick recalled, so we’ll see if that small move can help make a big difference in Buffalo’s game tonight against Florida.