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Will Kaleta Survive


Rico4Hall12

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While looking at the young guys in development camp, I was wondering with all the similar players to Kaleta, will he survive long enough to accomplise his dream of winning the cup for his home town team? Unless its this year, I would say he is out of here next year.

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While looking at the young guys in development camp, I was wondering with all the similar players to Kaleta, will he survive long enough to accomplise his dream of winning the cup for his home town team? Unless its this year, I would say he is out of here next year.

 

Even without the influx of talent this offseason, Kaleta's days were numbered. His style lends itself to a short career. He's definitely a fan favorite, but he's reckless and irresponsible with his body.

 

 

 

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Even without the influx of talent this offseason, Kaleta's days were numbered. His style lends itself to a short career. He's definitely a fan favorite, but he's reckless and irresponsible with his body.

Ageed Corp. Younger guys below him on depth chart have way more skill, and can still bring it in the hit department. If he gets hurt, unless Lindy puts his heart before his head, he may not get back into lineup.

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It definitely looks like a tough road ahead for him moving forward. The contract extension for Cody McCormick does not bode well for him because I see him playing the wing if Luke Adam steps it up this preseason. The same goes for Kassian, if he performs up to expectations he may also be a lock in next year's lineup as a winger. That's already two spots taken that were vacant last year, and I just don't think Kaleta's skill sets are worth keeping other's out of the lineup.

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It definitely looks like a tough road ahead for him moving forward. The contract extension for Cody McCormick does not bode well for him because I see him playing the wing if Luke Adam steps it up this preseason. The same goes for Kassian, if he performs up to expectations he may also be a lock in next year's lineup as a winger. That's already two spots taken that were vacant last year, and I just don't think Kaleta's skill sets are worth keeping other's out of the lineup.

He is solid on the p/k. I think he led in shg last season. I'm for keeping him because he is a PITA to other clubs.

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I believe this is the last year of Kaleta's contract before he is an RFA after this year. Contract wise, I don't see him being a burden on the future of the cap for the Sabres. But, I do believe his days are numbered in Buffalo. This is likely his last year with the team and if he is not traded during the year, I anticipate that the Sabres will not re-sign him and either trade him next offseason or not offer him a Qualifying Offer.

 

I love Kaleta and the way he plays, but his game does not lend itself to being healthy. Also, the guys who are Sabres prospects can play his game and bring more offense than he can. For example, guys like Foligno and Kassian can play his game, are more talented, and are cheaper against the cap. I think his days are numbered in Buffalo unless he puts up a ridiculous year and plays 75 games this year. To make a really tough decision for Darcy, Kaleta would have to play at least 75 games this year, put up about 15-20 goals and 40 points and play the PK and lead forwards in blocked shots. Can it be done? Absolutely, but I just don't see him playing 75 games which would enable him to get the type of numbers he would need to stay in Buffalo next year.

 

I think Kassian and Foligno can play the role of pest as well as Kaleta does and they can make the team pretty soon. Also, with Adam pushing his way to the team, Kaleta's roster spot is going to have a lot of competition from Foligno, Adam, and Kassian. I just don't see him in the organization after this year.

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I like Kaleta. I like being able to root for a local boy. But....

 

Kaleta's game is no longer effective. We saw that last season. He doesn't really get opposing players to take stupid penalties anymore. They know what he;s about and they don't bite on it anymore. He's a worry to opposing defenders but his style often puts him out of position or behind the play because his only real move is the big splash-type hit. He misses with it alot and ends up on the ice and behind the play. When he first came into the league those misses were effective because they still drew penalties. Noone bites on them anymore though. Also, Kaleta's injury history is a problem. We constantly end up short forwards in games because Kaleta leaves the game early. It forces Lindy to double shift players and jumble lines to get Gaustad and McCormick ice time when Kaleta is out in the middle of a game.

 

I still believe that Foligno is going to be a better Kaleta than Kaleta is. He's bigger and likely to be more durable. And he almost certainly has more offensive upside than Kaleta.

 

I'm glad he played here for awhile but I am ready to see an upgrade in his roster slot.

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I like Kaleta. I like being able to root for a local boy. But....

 

Kaleta's game is no longer effective. We saw that last season. He doesn't really get opposing players to take stupid penalties anymore. They know what he;s about and they don't bite on it anymore. He's a worry to opposing defenders but his style often puts him out of position or behind the play because his only real move is the big splash-type hit. He misses with it alot and ends up on the ice and behind the play. When he first came into the league those misses were effective because they still drew penalties. Noone bites on them anymore though. Also, Kaleta's injury history is a problem. We constantly end up short forwards in games because Kaleta leaves the game early. It forces Lindy to double shift players and jumble lines to get Gaustad and McCormick ice time when Kaleta is out in the middle of a game.

 

I still believe that Foligno is going to be a better Kaleta than Kaleta is. He's bigger and likely to be more durable. And he almost certainly has more offensive upside than Kaleta.

 

I'm glad he played here for awhile but I am ready to see an upgrade in his roster slot.

 

LOL, good post.

 

I can't remember how many time I see him lying on his back in one of the corners after missing or making a big hit and the counter attack is launched against us...... :beer:

 

I think he has to make the big splash hits because he is to small to check more normally and within control. That is something that Foligno and Kassian will be able to do better then him.

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That one play in the playoffs where Vanek was all alone against Boucher and in comes Kaleta, who looses his balance and takes the net out...makes you wonder how gifted a skater he is. As much as we love him for being a hard nosed, local kid, I don't see his worth as compared to other guys.

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That one play in the playoffs where Vanek was all alone against Boucher and in comes Kaleta, who looses his balance and takes the net out...makes you wonder how gifted a skater he is. As much as we love him for being a hard nosed, local kid, I don't see his worth as compared to other guys.

That was a facepalm :doh:

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While looking at the young guys in development camp, I was wondering with all the similar players to Kaleta, will he survive long enough to accomplise his dream of winning the cup for his home town team? Unless its this year, I would say he is out of here next year.

Unless his effort level is out of this world..and he smartens up his play as well--he is gone.

Just doesn't have much talent.

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I think I made a comment months ago that Foligno looked like he could be a "Super Kaleta" -- basically bigger, stronger, more durable, and more offense. That still seems to be the case. It sucks because Kaleta has a ton of heart and he's local, but he gets hurt a lot and he's not big enough that anyone fears him even if he finishes his checks.

 

I wouldn't even be shocked if the Sabres dealt him next March if Kassian or Foligno is ready to come up and take his place. If he's RFA after this year, I could see the Sabres not wanting to re-sign him if they have cap concerns (or just want to try for a big splash in free agency again next summer).

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While it wouldn't shock me if all you naysayers are right, I think you are selling him short on the talent meter. Now that he may not be called on to be the only agitator, I could see him developing into a solid third line, pk specialist.

 

I agree with this. I'm not ready to give up on Kaleta yet. Love the enthusiasm he brings to the table. I've said it before -- he's like a poor (maybe very poor) man's Lucic. I could see him tallying 15, maybe even 20 goals if he played a full season here.

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I agree with this. I'm not ready to give up on Kaleta yet. Love the enthusiasm he brings to the table. I've said it before -- he's like a poor (maybe very poor) man's Lucic. I could see him tallying 15, maybe even 20 goals if he played a full season here.

 

I'm very enthusiastic when I go to open skates. Does that mean I should score more goals?

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While it wouldn't shock me if all you naysayers are right, I think you are selling him short on the talent meter. Now that he may not be called on to be the only agitator, I could see him developing into a solid third line, pk specialist.

 

With the cutback that is about to start in the league, he better keep his feet on the ice or else he'll be the ultimate pk specialist, the guy who is serving the penalty.

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I'd keep him on the roster for one reason. He never plays a full season. With his kamikaze style of play (reminds me of Spinner Spencer), he is going to get hurt, and get hurt often. That's when you put in your more talented player. Kaleta is good at what he does - he still pisses off other teams - and you don't want to lose that. Plus he's around for the odd goal (e.g. Game 1 vs. the Flyers). So I say, keep him until he's hurt (around week 3) and then put in the talented prospects you want to evaluate.

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I agree with this. I'm not ready to give up on Kaleta yet. Love the enthusiasm he brings to the table. I've said it before -- he's like a poor (maybe very poor) man's Lucic. I could see him tallying 15, maybe even 20 goals if he played a full season here.

 

I see nothing in Kaleta's game that I can compare to Lucic.

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While it wouldn't shock me if all you naysayers are right, I think you are selling him short on the talent meter. Now that he may not be called on to be the only agitator, I could see him developing into a solid third line, pk specialist.

Yup. He'll have Grier's spot. Let Foligno, Adam, and Kassian try to make the roster before we go touting them as more talented in the NHL than Kaleta. And in Grier's spot, I think we'll see Kaleta continue to evolve away from the kamikaze style that helped him earn his 4th line slot and I see him tallying at least 5-10 goals this season and play probably the majority of the season.

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I agree with this. I'm not ready to give up on Kaleta yet. Love the enthusiasm he brings to the table. I've said it before -- he's like a poor (maybe very poor) man's Lucic. I could see him tallying 15, maybe even 20 goals if he played a full season here.

 

Even with him being a home boy I'd much rather see Lucic in Blue and Gold than Kaleta. He's a liability to this club the way he plays. Someone already posted he makes us shorthanded when he leaves the games. "Heart" can only take you so far and he's already beyond far IMHO.

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Even with him being a home boy I'd much rather see Lucic in Blue and Gold than Kaleta. He's a liability to this club the way he plays. Someone already posted he makes us shorthanded when he leaves the games. "Heart" can only take you so far and he's already beyond far IMHO.

 

Well certainly I'd RATHER have Lucic, but that's not really an option for us. I'm just saying Kaleta has a bowling ball for a body, and though he's not as big as Lucic, he obviously knows how to throw his weight around and agitate his opponents. He also has a bit more of a scoring touch than your average 4th line "goon" if you will. He's not gonna score 30 goals like Lucic, but I don't think 20 is out of the question in a good year.

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