Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta has decided not to appeal his 10-game suspension to an independent arbitrator, both his agent Anton Thun and an NHLPA spokesman told ESPN.com.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday upheld Brendan Shanahan's 10-game suspension of Kaleta for his hit to the head of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson earlier this month.
Kaleta had the opportunity to further appeal it to an independent arbitrator, a new wrinkle in the new collective bargaining agreement, but ultimately chose not to.
Considered a repeat offender, Kaleta's suspension will cost him $152,439 in lost salary.
Kaleta was suspended five games last season after he shoved New York Rangers center Brad Richards from behind and into the boards. That ban cost Kaleta $72,000 in salary. Kaleta was suspended two other times earlier in his career.
The latest hit took place at 3:10 of the first period of Buffalo's 4-1 loss to Columbus on Oct. 10. Kaleta wasn't penalized in the game.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
