BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres say they made a “necessary” move by placing Patrick Kaleta on waivers on Saturday.

“This was a move we thought was necessary to help Pat change his game and preserve his career in this league,” said Sabres general manager Darcy Regier. “We believe in Pat as a person and we hope he will continue his career in our organization and, if the circumstances are right, with the Buffalo Sabres.”

The NHL handed Kaleta a 10-game suspension after his illegal check to the head of Columbus Blue Jackets’ defenceman Jack Johnson in a game in Buffalo on Oct. 10. Kaleta chose not to appeal the suspension.

Kaleta has been suspended four times during his NHL career, including four games for head-butting Philadelphia Flyers’ forward Jakub Voracek in 2011. He has also been fined three times.

The 27-year-old Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres in the sixth round of the 2004 NHL Draft. He has 27 goals, 24 assists, and 506 penalty minutes through 306 NHL games with Buffalo.