Patrick Kaleta: 2009-2010 Report Card
by Rafal Ladysz on May 15, 2010 10:52 AM EDT
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PrintIt's time to put the finishing touches on the 2009-2010 season for the Buffalo Sabres. Here is a complete report card of every single player that played any amount of time with the Sabres this season. The journey will begin with Chris Butler and conclude in almost a month with Thomas Vanek. Thanks to Japers Rink and Mile High Hockey for the inspiration.
It's Patrick Kaleta's turn.
Patrick Kaleta
#36 / Right Wing / Buffalo Sabres
5-11
198
Jun 08, 1986
Contract Situation: $514,000 cap hit in 2010, set to become a restricted free agent this summer
2009 Grade: B
Introduction: Born and raised in Buffalo, Patrick Kaleta has the distinction of representing the club he grew up cheering for. Three years into his National Hockey League career, the antagonist has taken baby steps for the betterment of his overall performances. True to his reputation, Kaleta was a wrecking ball with his hits and gathered nice offensive instincts, better movement and surprising shooting. The best has yet to come from him, I can feel it.
Key Stat: Kaleta reached double digits in goals for the first time and set a career high in points using just 55 games. Shocking as it is, that's not the best part of it all.
Stimulating Stat: Like a clutch player, 40 per cent of his markers were game-winners and his 15.6 shooting percentage led the Sabres. And he accomplished that with just slightly more than ten minutes of ice time each evening. Are you paying attention Mr. Ruff?
Famous For: Leading the team in hits for the first time with 148, or 22 more than second-best Toni Lydman while playing less matches due to injury. But Kaleta's shining moment came in December when he scored three goals in two contests, with two of them being shorthanded. Worth a look, as you can see the goals here and here. If your initials are PK, then you must have a role on the penalty kill and Kaleta made the coach happy with that choice. After the game in Montreal, he received a dirty hit from Jarkko Ruutu of the Ottawa Senators and missed some time with head/neck issues.
Thumbs Up: Kaleta didn't bulk about his small fragments of ice time, but initiated action during his shifts, providing a pulse when the rest of the team often looked like they'd be covered in the obituary section of a newspaper, not the sports. His quality of teammates weren't the best bunch but his corsi rating relating to those same players were rather good. The typical number of minutes he received were the third-lowest on the club and if you look at the competition's success with him on and off the ice, they managed better with him placed on the bench then they did when he was competing. Goals per 60 minutes, Kaleta was in good company right behind Jason Pominville and he is the best at drawing penalties in this league. For each penalty he serves himself, he makes the opposition take an average of 4.375, a differential that stands in a level of its own. Most notably, he bled for Buffalo in the postseason and played with a cast on his arm because of the surgery he underwent for a broken thumb.
Thumbs Down: Kaleta's health wasn't his best friend this season as he missed 27 games due to the flu, a head/neck injury, a leg injury, a foot injury, a broken thumb and served a two-game suspension. The ferociousness that comes with checking and agitating definitely had a hand in it, but he was always eager to return as quickly as possible. Embellishing penalties by diving and whatnot is a tricky act, one that Kaleta has to pick his spots in better. Referees let a few vicious plays on him go during the playoffs because of his exaggeration in previous moments. The quality of competition he met was the second-worst and his rating wasn't of the pleasant kind either.
Voting: On a scale of one to ten, one being the lowest and ten being the highest, grade Patrick Kaleta on his season according to the expectations you had for him. If he met them, give him a five or a six. If he eclipsed them, aim for a seven or beyond. If he failed to meet them, give him a lower number relating to how poorly he missed the target.
Topics Of Discussion: If you believe Kaleta must stay in Buffalo, what type of contract has he earned? Can he reach the 20-goal plateau next year? Has his shooting percentage warranted some powerplay inclusions in the future? Does Ruff need to give him more ice time considering how much he did with so little?
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8
Getting 10 goals from Kaleta was a huge bonus, and a number of the goals were true goal scorerer type goals which I never expected to see from him. I do think he might get to be a 15 goal scorer, but to get to 20 he’s going to have to stay healthy, which probably won’t happen.
Kaleta is always willing to give up the body to block a shot or make a play even when he knows guys are gunning for him. He agitates mainly by hitting legally and talking, you don’t see a lot cheap crap after the whistle like you do from Avery or blatantly dirty hits like you see from Ott and Ruutu.
There’s no way the Sabres don’t resign him. The only question is exactly how much do you invest in a guy who, given his style of play, will probably miss 20+ games every year.
Best player for the money
He’s the best player for the money on the Sabres roster. He gets paid a lousy 500k, he put up 10 goals, and his toughness is something missing from most of the other forwards. He does all the little things that don’t reflect on his stat card. And even with however many games he misses, he makes a big impact when he’s there (If you don’t believe me, ask Ovechkin or Petr Prucha) And he doesn’t miss nearly as many games as Connolly has…. Just food for thought. I love this guy, his attitude, and his work ethic.
by Tom Stone Angelo on May 15, 2010 2:05 PM EDT reply actions
Interesting way to look at it. I completely agree with his cost-effectiveness – would we all still love him quite as much if he was making 2 million a year?
I don’t know, but earlier in the year, it seems as though he was getting more chances to put up points. As the year went on, it seemed that Lindy pigeon-holed him as purely an agitator again. 2 mil? That’s a little much. But, somewhere between 1-1.5? I’m OK w/ that. Especially b/c I expect him to get better.
by bluecollarbuffalo on May 15, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
9
Double digit goals boost rating up. Hits with intention to hurt. Willing to sacrifice self for team. Still turtles too much, if your gonna talk smack you have to back it up more often. I think we have just cracked the surface as a decent scorer and plays like his hair is on fire. Guy who is real easy to root for as long as he is on your team.
Rookies are like teabags...you don't know what you're gonna get until you put them in hot water. -Harry Neale
I voted 7.
Would have been an 8 or 9 had it not been for the missed games due to injuries. Hes missed a lot of time over the last 2-3 years and I think hes gotta turn it down just a little bit. Maybe not even turn it down… but pick his spots. He goes all out 110% every shift, which is what we want, but going that hard… everytime is going to take a toll on you. He bangs his body around so much, these head and neck injuries are going to catch up with him.
Love him as a player and what he brings… but turn it down a little Patty… dont want you to have a shortened career.
"Ok, its Gudda hoe, all about my Bills like Buffalo."
10
Because Pat Kaleta is awesome. I didn’t expect that big of a scoring season, and he had probably 90% of the Carruba Collision hits.
So, Philly has elimanated my two least favorite teams. WHAT NOW, BOSTON!!!!!!!
Martin Broduer doesn't look so great now huh?
I voted 8
But i meant 9. He needs to stop getting injured, though. I suppose its hard when the other team would love nothing more than to kill him.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
8
I’d love to have 5 more of him.
Depending how the off-season goes, it’s conceivable he could end up on a 3rd line with Gerbe & Kennedy. If that’s the case, I could see him netting 15, with an upside of somewhere within shouting distance of 20 (assuming he has better luck in the heath department that is).
I think he’ll sign for around750K, hopefully for 2-3 years.
Jesus wants to be like Ryan Miller when he grows up.
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