Kaleta Takes Yet Another Cheap Shot

[duwal]

in response to the last 3 posts...how many of you have watched Kaleta play more than a game or two?

If you have, and know anything about hockey, then you wouldnt call him a "bum on skates"

Does Kaleta go around and hit everything he sees? Yes..

Is he a dirty player?.. no..

did he "deserve" to get hit from behind...nope again

did he fail to turn on purpose, hoping to get hit...well that ones ridiculous and doesnt deserve an answer

And yes, Kaleta is a pest, and yes he does instigate/draw penelties. Hes also smart enough not to retaliate. I cant count the times he has gotten us a powerplay by refusing to retaliate. Thats just a smart hockey play, and ultimately has led to many goals for the Sabres.

And for the record, if Kaleta feels he can best help his team by dropping the gloves, he is more than willing/capable of doing so. Is he the best fighter in the league? Obviously not, but he can hold is own when he decides to drop them

Since when is being smart, and not retaliating like these other goons and hurting your team a bad thing?

Just my thoughts on Kaleta...

of course you're going to defend him, you're a Sabres fan. You'll defend all your players, every fan does but come on he is a dirty player. One of the top 10 worst players in the league

[sholi2000]

Walter what Kaleta did was just as bad as a player cutting through the middle of the ice on a suicide pass.

Like I said, Max shouldn't have hit him, but Patrick made no effort to turn away from the boards.

You play hockey right? I play senior, and number one rule is be aware. Head on a swivel, dig, chip, and get out! Not dig chip and watch your work!

Don't let your fan bias get in the way of right and wrong.

[richied98]

I've seen Kaleta play on many occasions. I'm just seeing what I saw.
I'd love to have him on my team, as I would Avery. They are great for your team, but Kaleta does take some runs that are not clean.

I'm not saying he deserved it, but players don't get that much attention if the hits are all clean. Look at Phaneuf. He's not run at every single game, nor do his clean brutal hits create such a stir. I'm sure he did something to Max to get him upset and therefore he got hit illegally.

That's my only point here.

[senrab]

I watched the game on the CBC feed and Bob Cole et. al. didn't say anything about the hit being dirty. (Not criticizing, just saying what the CBC announcers' take was).

He put himself in a very vulnerable position...isn't this his 2nd concussion this year? I love his game play but he's going to have to change his game somewhat in order to save his career from being cut short.

[HOCKEY68]

I don't care who the player involved is,Sooner or later somebody is gonna get put into a wheel chair with hits like this,then what is the nhl going to do,sit and think about it and have more meetings with the GM'S before they actually do something?
Its time that they start suspending players a minimum of 5 games for hits like this to get the message across.
Hits to the head should have the gulity party sit out the same amount of games as the injured player sits out or have an automatic 10 - whatever game suspension!

[geschrocks33]

I don't care who the player involved is,Sooner or later somebody is gonna get put into a wheel chair with hits like this,then what is the nhl going to do,sit and think about it and have more meetings with the GM'S before they actually do something?
Its time that they start suspending players a minimum of 5 games for hits like this to get the message across.
Hits to the head should have the gulity party sit out the same amount of games as the injured player sits out or have an automatic 10 - whatever game suspension!

Thank you...exactly how I feel, you should be suspended for however long the person you injured is out.

And Rich you pretty much covered everything on Kaleta.

People don't insult Kaleta saying he is dirty. He's smart. Because he doesn't take dumb retaliation penalties, means he's a bum on skates? Gimme a break. Learn the game people. It's called being smart. And I'm not just defending my home team, I'm defending a player like him who is smart, and tries to avoid confrontation. He throws huge CLEAN checks, and others get irritated with them, and cheap shot him. Even a Habs fan just agreed that it was a horrible hit. Get real people. Lapierre's hit was dirty, and deserves a suspension. It was totally uncalled for

[07mears07]

i found something

[Walter Sobchak]

thanks for the video. In all honesty that is one the of dirtiest hits Ive seen in a while..

I will admit there may be some bias in my defense of Kaleta, but one of the reasons I like Kaleta alot is that his hits are CLEAN. Never have I seen him take a run at a guy like this.

top 10 worst players in the league? I think not. If somebody can find some proof of Kaleta being "Avery-like", or dirty then please share as I would like to see it. He hits guys hard. I have never heard of a strong check being dirty. Hits from behind though...always dirty and uncalled for.

Also, I dont think he put himself in that situation. He was along the boards trying to make a play. Any player, in any given game could be in exactly the same situation.

Despite my potential biases, I do know "right" from "wrong", and simply put, it is wrong to hit a guy from behind and smash his face into the glass causing a concussion...

[07mears07]

just because people hit, or fight doesn't mean dirty. Kaleta (if buffalo makes the playoffs) can cause a huge fit. (Kronwall last year). Physical play is a must! This was a dirty hit IMO

[geschrocks33]

Thanks for posting the video. And I agree with Rich. If you can prove to me where Kaleta has been "Avery-like" I'd LOVE to see it.