Roster review: #36 Patrick Kaleta

[dudacek]

Player two in the offseason roster review series:

 

 

 

#36 Pat Kaleta RW (28-year-old UFA)

Buffalo                 42/0/3/3/-11/36

 

No one doubts Pat Kaleta bleeds Buffalo Sabres blue. We've seen it many times as he's thrown his face in front of elbows, fists and pucks. The question is whether he has any more blood to give.

 

The team's most veteran player after nine years here, Kaleta played just 42 games this season after playing just five the year before and just 34 the season before that. During those three seasons, he scored a total of one goal. He has played more than 60 games just once in his career.

 

In some ways, Kaleta's presence in the lineup this year could be declared a victory in itself. He overcame major injuries, league disciplinary troubles and a paralyzing reputation as a cheap-shot artist that threatened his ability to play the game.

 

He carved his NHL career as a feared hitter, a good penalty killer and an instigator with a great knack for drawing penalties. All of those qualities were seen less often from him this year.

 

Does he still have the wheels to hold off challenges from this team's many prospects? Have his injuries become too much to ignore? Will this team repay his years of dedication with another contract? Or is it time to move on?

Edited April 22, 2015 by dudacek

[Dannepanne]

According to nhlnumbers.com (I sure miss capgeek) he still has one year left at 1.25M$ per year.

[dudacek]

According to nhlnumbers.com (I sure miss capgeek) he still has one year left at 1.25M$ per year.

 

Yep. But every other source I checked says UFA.

And the "I hope to be back" end-of-season interviews seem to confirm that.

Edited April 22, 2015 by dudacek

[mphs mike]

If he is a free agent he shouldn't be offered a player contract.

 

As much as he bleeds blue & gold, he can't overcome being a red raider 

[Dannepanne]

I wouldn't mind having him as a Rochester veteran, seeing him get called up if his skills are needed. But I think his days as a fulltimer in the NHL are over.

[Eleven]

It pains me to say this, but he needs to hang up his skates.

 

I'd love to see him behind the bench as an assistant in Elmira or Rochester.

[Lanny]

I voted yes as I don't see anyone in the system ready to take his bottom line spot. He could however be replaced with a UFA with a similar skill set.

[ubkev]

No. I have no room on my team for a pest that can't score and only plays 20 games.

[woods-racer]

I would offer Pat an Ellis type contract.

 

 Personally, if the injury bug strikes  it would be good to see Pat come up from Rochester, and not Matt. Not that I hate Matt, but Matt is just a reminder of everything bad about the last two seasons.

[Samson's Flow]

I really think it is more that he has given so much during his career that he doesn't have much left, even at 28. Lately his seasons have been all injuries and struggles, and I would rather he survive than keep trying to be a 4th line NHL'er.

 

The Rochester/NHL scenario mentioned above wouldn't be horrible, but I doubt an established NHL player would go for that.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

I really think he should retire as a player.

 

One of the few (only other one off the top of my head is 11) career Sabres.

 

Never really liked him as a player, but he always gave his all.

[Doohicksie]

I think they should sign him for one more year. I doubt it happens. But the guy deserves a retirement from the Sabres on better terms. I certainly hope he'll be able to hook on with the Sabres in an off-ice capacity when his playing days are done.

[pastajoe]

Put him on the 4th line with Deslauriers and Larsson or McCormick and that's a nice agitator line that can also work the PK. I'd rather have 40 games from Kaleta than 80 from Hodgson.

[woods-racer]

I just want him offered something, if he finds a better deal elsewhere good for him. I just don't want to see him in Ottawa like Rob Ray because he didn't even get a last year, good faith, contract offer.

 

Hockey heaven has to take care of the likes of the Pat Kaleta's.

 

"You'll take this contract, I know it's not much but you'll retire in 2016 with grace and honor. We get you working with the worst PR department in hockey doing some radio talk shows, a few commercials, would you like to coach? We take care of our own here in Hockey Heaven, besides you seem like a bright young man that couldn't royally screw up a ceremony for one of the worlds best goalies, think it over Patty we could always use a good person..." 

[dEnnis the Menace]

I want him for one more year. I think he has one more to give, then he can hang em up a lifelong Sabre.  

[MattPie]

I just want him offered something, if he finds a better deal elsewhere good for him. I just don't want to see him in Ottawa like Rob Ray because he didn't even get a last year, good faith, contract offer.

 

 

Didn't Ray ask to be traded to Ot'wa?

[LabattBlue]

I have no problem keeping Kaleta around for another year or two at least.  He is only 28, skates well, effective on the PK, can still hit(as long as he keeps it under control), will drop the gloves sticking up for any teammate, and bleeds blue and gold.  Just needs to figure out how to stay healthy to the point of playing at least 60 games.

 

You can't field a lineup of guys all under the age of 25.  Not sure how Kaleta brings any less to the table than someone else coming up from the farm or via F/A.

Edited April 22, 2015 by LabattBlue

[woods-racer]

Didn't Ray ask to be traded to Ot'wa?

 

Thought Ray had little say?

 

Need and old guy with a good memory.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

Thought Ray had little say?

 

Need and old guy with a good memory.

 

Old guy, with questionable memory, reporting for duty.

 

Ray had no say.

 

He was traded to Ottawa for the ever popular *future considerations* (not sure what they were / ended up being).  He only played a handful of games for the Otters over 2 seasons.

[Johnny DangerFace]

Time for the oldies to go. Loved watching him, but hope he isn't signed to a new contract

[LabattBlue]

Time for the oldies to go. Loved watching him, but hope he isn't signed to a new contract

At the risk of repeating myself, he is 28, not 38.

[Samson's Flow]

At the risk of repeating myself, he is 28, not 38.

Come on LB, we need to embrace the future. All of our players need to be 24 and under. That way we can all project them to turn into superstars in a few years and we can win all the cups.

[MattPie]

Old guy, with questionable memory, reporting for duty.

 

Ray had no say.

 

He was traded to Ottawa for the ever popular *future considerations* (not sure what they were / ended up being).  He only played a handful of games for the Otters over 2 seasons.

 

At the time the Sabres were terrible and I thought he wanted another kick at the playoffs before he retired. Trading a player only for "future considerations" seems to be used for feel-good situations.

 

I found this in an old ESPN article:

Ray goes to Ottawa, which has a league-best 94 points. "I'm excited about the opportunity to go to a contender,'' Ray said. "It's something the Sabres didn't have to do, but I appreciate the fact they did it.'' The deals also helped the Sabres decrease their payroll.

[woods-racer]

Old guy, with questionable memory, reporting for duty.

 

Ray had no say.

 

He was traded to Ottawa for the ever popular *future considerations* (not sure what they were / ended up being).  He only played a handful of games for the Otters over 2 seasons.

 

You actually where the first person to come to mind, but I didn't want to ask directly for you just in case it was a senior moment day. I didn't want  you on the spot when you couldn't find your glasses or computer or house or what ever else seniors lose within  2 minutes and 10 feet of having it last.

 

 

:P

 

At the time the Sabres were terrible and I thought he wanted another kick at the playoffs before he retired. Trading a player only for "future considerations" seems to be used for feel-good situations.

 

I found this in an old ESPN article:

Ray goes to Ottawa, which has a league-best 94 points. "I'm excited about the opportunity to go to a contender,'' Ray said. "It's something the Sabres didn't have to do, but I appreciate the fact they did it.'' The deals also helped the Sabres decrease their payroll.

 

This may have been spun as a feel good situation, but I don't remember it being this "nice". I would like to see the current ownership handle a similar situation without a kick to the curb feel to it.

[TrueBlueGED]

I love Kaleta, but the time has come...both for him and us. His health is a serious issue long term, and I can't even find a spot on the 4th line for him anyway (and the latter is a very good thing).