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Today, Patrick Kaleta is a man without an NHL team to play for.
Kaleta, 30, is watching eagerly as NHL GMs continue to make it rain with PTO invites.
The NHL salary cap is not Kaleta's friend right now. Too many teams are scraping the cap and some are looking to subtract contracts rather than add them. The PTO is the perfect tool for NHL GMs who want to fill out the bottom third of their NHL rosters with proven performers, on the cheap.
Since the NHL lockout of 2012-13, the NHL has become a young man's game where 18 and 19 year old kids on entry level contracts are bypassing the AHL and playing immediately in the NHL.
Kaleta, who spent nine seasons in the Buffalo organization, is an unrestricted free agent. For the first time in two years he is 100% healthy. He has packed 12 pounds of muscle on his 6'1" frame. He now tips the scales at 210 lbs. He boasts of his 9% body fat index. His feet are still faster than air pneumatic sledge hammers.
Kaleta has done his part to get himself in tip top physical condition. Now, it's time for NHL GMs to do their part.
PK36 is looking at his glass as being half full. He is anxious to get the call that he has been invited to an NHL training camp to ostensibly sing for his supper.
Kaleta is ready for the NHL. Is the NHL ready for Kaleta?
Kaleta has a nasty reputation as a cruel dude, so to speak. He's crossed the line a few times in his career and his has paid dearly for it. He's been fined and suspended during his career. He's been held accountable for his actions and he acknowledges his transgressions.
To know Kaleta is to know he is the guy you hate to play against but would love to have on your team.
Kaleta has matured and has learned the hard way to tone down his rambunctious on ice behavior. He has proven that he can play an effective fourth line / penalty kill role.
How does goon Raffi Torres, he of the 41 game suspension, be granted a PTO contract with the Carolina Hurricanes while Pat Kaleta is praying for another shot to pursue his NHL dream??
Kaleta attended Buffalo training camp last September on a tryout with a minor-league contract but was shelved by an ill-time groin injury. His Buffalo comeback story came to a screeching halt.
When finally he was healthy last Christmas, Kaleta reported to Rochester. He played only 26 games for the Amerks. He scored just one goal and three points with 33 PIMs.
If I were an NHL GM, I would offer Kaleta a PTO.
Look at this updated list of 26 NHL players who have been invited to attend training camps in September. No offense, but I see some dusty characters on this list. I cannot prove it with fact, however, I feel like there has been a serious negative bias from NHL GMs towards Kaleta and his style of play. I say, .Don't believe the hype. Get to know the man. To all NHL GMs and AGMs, invite Kaleta into your office, close the door, look him in the eyes and ask him why he plays the game of hockey. I think you'll be blown away by PK36's articulation of his burning passion for the love of the game.
After meeting with Kaleta with fifteen minutes your opinion of him will change 180 degrees. He's not the man many people unfairly brand him as. He is a warrior who has gone to hell and back for his Buffalo and Rochester teammates. He's broken his face blocking point shots in meaningless exhibition games. He's taken on heavyweights after his teammates have been roughed up by knuckle heads. He's broken bones in his hand trying to catch pucks that are flying at his goalie's head. Kaleta will do whatever necessary to defend his teammates and the crest on his sweater. Frankly, I respect his passion level. His give-a-shit-meter is always on full blast. Can the same be said for all 725 NHL players pulling paychecks in the league today?
This list was 27 players deep until the Anaheim a Ducks signed veteran heavy Stu Bickel to an AHL deal yesterday.
Ask yourself if Pat Kaleta deserves another shot to play in the NHL.
My answer is "Hell Yes"!
NHL Training Camp Invites:
Maxim Lapierre – New York Rangers
James Wisniewski – Tampa Bay Lightning
Jamie Devane – Calgary Flames
T.J. Galiardi – St. Louis Blues
Tom McCollum – Los Angeles Kings
Paul Bissonnette – Los Angeles Kings
Brandon Prust – Toronto Maple Leafs
Raman Hrabarenka – Toronto Maple Leafs
Mike Weber – St. Louis Blues
Rene Bourque – Colorado Avalanche
Jeff Glass – Toronto Maple Leafs
Raffi Torres – Carolina Hurricanes
Chris Higgins – Calgary Flames
Jarret Stoll – Columbus Blue Jackets
Gabriel Bourque – Colorado Avalanche
Ryan Carter – Minnesota Wild
Devin Setoguchi – Los Angeles Kings
Marc-Andre Bergeron – Columbus Blue Jackets
Peter Mueller – Boston Bruins
Drew MacIntyre – Washington Capitals
Adam Pardy – Florida Panthers
Justin Fontaine – Florida Panthers
Eric Nystrom – St. Louis Blues
Yan Stastny – St. Louis Blues
Zach Boychuk – Arizona Coyotes
Kris Versteeg- Edmonton Oilers
Kaleta recently severed ties with his former agent and has hired Newport Sports to guide his career. I like this move a lot. Kaleta needs an agent that is going to go to war for him. Newport Sports will do just that as they have represent the best players in the NHL today and have strong relationships with all NHL GMs.
Mark my words. Kaleta will get another chance in the near future.
If not in Buffalo, then some other NHL city.
***
A curveball in the ongoing Evander Kane saga.
According to the Associated Press, prosecutors submitted additional evidence they say supports the charge of trespassing against Evander Kane in a case he is also alleged to have grabbed three women during an altercation at a downtown Buffalo bar in June.
Erie County assistant district attorney Lynette Reda submitted what she called a deposition to Judge Barbara Johnson-Lee during Kane's appearance at Buffalo City Court on Friday morning.
**
Buffalo Sabres power forward Evander Kane's harassment and trespassing case is back in the news cycle after a brief respite.
Kane appeared briefly in Buffalo city court this morning for a pre-trial hearing. Court was adjourned at the request of defense.
Kane will be back in court on October 31.
Kane's attorney said he will be filing motions At the October 31 court date.
The Buffalo Sabres open their 2016-17 season October 13.
Kane's attorney told WBEN that no settlement talks have occurred thus far.
In August, Kane pleaded not guilty to trespassing and four non-criminal harassment charges related to a disturbance that occurred at a Buffalo disco on June 24.
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