Kaleta Takes Yet Another Cheap Shot

[geschrocks33]

I believe someone already posted a video of Kaleta dropping the gloves, and fighting, so don't say he doesn't

[Walter Sobchak]

Indeed I did....when Kaleta fights, he does so fairly well. Compared to other players who fight every time they get the chance, and get beat down 80% of the time..Id rather have the guy that only fights every once in a while and can hold his own when he does

[geschrocks33]

I agree 100% on that one

[TMacfreak91]

Kaleta is just another one of these players that will run all over the ice, run his mouth but wont drop the mits. Hes an agitator and he does his job effectively, he draws penalties because ppl wanna beat the tar outa him. Although what he does is effective its not the kind of hockey i like to watch.

Excuse me but do you hear yourself? Since when does Kaleta run his mouth? I understand being a Leafs fan you've seen your fair share of Kaleta. But really? When has Kaleta EVER run his mouth? And as Derrick just said, there's already a video on here of Kaleta fighting. If that's not enough proof then here's a couple more videos of Kaleta fighting:







And Kaleta doesn't drop the gloves huh?

Steve

[TMacfreak91]

http://www.youtube.com/v/7akZKV0FqLw&hl=en&fs=1


Steve

[geschrocks33]

Kaleta does drop the gloves. Just because he doesn't do it on a weekly basis, doesn't mean he doesn't fight at all.

[TMacfreak91]

Agreed Derrick.

[Estovia]

Pat Kaleta has a reputation for late hits. I concur that some of the things he does are a touch late, and sometimes borderline. (Kaleta boarding call on Brind'Amour in CAR v BUF I think on 2/26)

But the fact that Kaleta doesn't act in retaliation, doesn't waste powerplays by taking offsetting penalties... that doesn't make him dumb. It doesn't make him a *****. It makes him a smart player. He'll never have the scoring talent of a Crosby, he'll never have the size of a Chara, but he plays the game with a forethought and intelligence that not many other players in the league do. Sure he could do with backing up his game with his fists a little more, even folks in Buffalo would like to see him do it, just to remind them that he's as much bite as he is bark.

But it's more the fact that no player DESERVES to receive an intent to injure type hit, no player DESERVES a concussion.

And the NHL needs to get past it's duplicity when it comes to enforcing the game. They scream about injuries from fighting (actually less than 1% of NHL injuries) but when it comes to things like this, they turn out to be more bark than bite, and look the other way, because the player being hit isn't a Brind'Amour, isn't a Crosby, isn't a Neidermayer.

Doesn't matter if you're Sidney Crosby, Steve Downie, or Joe Schmoe. The NHL should be actually and aggressively protecting ALL their players from actions like this.

[TMacfreak91]

Estovia, I couldn't agree more. The NHL needs to make examples of people who throw checks from behind like this one otherwise it will continue and in my opinion, it could get even worse.

I also like the points you made in relation to Kaleta playing a smart game within himself. In my opinion, if that is what he does, playing to his strengths and helping the team that way, then I don't see how that makes him a bad player to have on my roster.

Steve

[geschrocks33]

I agree 100% with Estovia. The NHL needs to protect all players equally no matter who they are. One day Crosby is going to get hit like this, and I bet the NHL goes crazy with a huge suspension and publicity.

ALL cheap shots need to be addressed, not matter who the players involved are.