Since 2007, Patrick Kaleta has called the Buffalo Sabres his team. It was the team he grew up watching and rooting for, making it bitter sweet when July 1 came and Kaleta hit the open free agent market without even an offer from the Sabres thrown his way.
But just because he remains unsigned, that doesn’t mean there isn’t interest in the Angola, NY native from his hometown team.
“I have an interest in him, for sure,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said on Thursday. “I guess it depends on what the number is, on what their expectation is. There’s a lot of things that go into it. As far as Pat as a guy, as far as Pat as a local guy, as far as Pat as the type of player he is to fit in the organization somewhere, I do have interest.
“That’s very vague, I know, and that’s about as specific as I can be.”
The vagueness likely comes due to Murray not necessarily knowing if Kaleta would be willing to sign solely as a depth forward that would spend most of his time with the Rochester Americans for the foreseeable future. Kaleta has stated that he wants to be a part of the Sabres, but the team may not have a role for him on the main roster.
As far as the potential of him coming aboard on a professional tryout, it really shouldn’t be expected. Murray stated that he isn’t likely to bring in anyone on a PTO due to the possibility of them not getting a real chance to make the roster.
“I don’t think you should waste his time or do it a favor to an agent, and you’re not legitimately interested in signing him if he comes here and has a big camp,” Murray said.
He also added that if the Sabres were to bring in another player, it would most likely be via trade as opposed to another signing.
