WNY native signs to stay on with Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - One of Buffalo’s own has signed on to stay with the Buffalo Sabres for a few more years. Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier and Pat Kaleta had a news conference about Kaleta’s new deal Wednesday morning.

Western New York native Pat Kaleta was all smiles Wednesday morning, a day after he agreed to a reported $3.825 million three-year deal with his longtime Buffalo team.

Kaleta is reportedly set to make $1.275 million each season, that's $300,000 more than last season. The Sabres gritty forward was a restricted free agent, coming off a season where he put up five goals and five assists, while leading all Buffalo forwards in hits.

The Sabres have been focusing on adding grit this off season, to a high priced team that missed the playoffs last year. Kaleta, who is an Angola native, has played his entire NHL career in Buffalo and he says he's glad he's not going anywhere.

Kaleta said, “Oh I'll tell you what. It’s probably the best feeling in the world.”

Kaleta said, “I started here wanting to play for the Sabres and win the Stanley Cup and I'm going to do everything in my power to get there.”

Darcy Regier said, “He's a very good penalty killer, he's a fearless player, he's a tough player to play against and I think you'll really see his game grow over the next few years.”

Kaleta and his new team mate Steve Ott have gotten into fights on the ice in the past. Kaleta says he was nervous to meet him at first, but they buried the hatchet right away. Now with a little more money in his pocket, Kaleta won't say if he's getting any new toys, but we do know he'll be spending the day Wednesday out on the golf course.