BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan
06-26-2008, 10:31 PM
http://cdn.nhl.com/sabres/images/upload/2008/06/kaleta-6-26-08.jpg
Two years ago Patrick Kaleta was asked by the coaching staff to stop hitting during training camp. They didn’t want him to hurt one of the veterans.
The impression was made, so Kaleta backed off. He understood when to pick his spots and when not to unleash his aggression.
So when the Sabres development camp opened on Wednesday, did Kaleta need another talking to?
“No, I already knew,” laughed the Angola, NY native, who appeared in 40 games for the Sabres last season. “No one had to say anything. I know what this [camp] is all about.”
What the camp is about is just what it’s titled, development, not destruction. It’s about possibly creating futures, not ending careers before they start.
So with the big picture in mind, Kaleta make the responsible choice. He’s worked on his own game while helping the younger players get comfortable.
“[Two years ago] I was a younger guy trying to make an impression and now I’m a veteran in this camp, believe it or not,” said Kaleta. “I just want [the prospects] to have the best time they can here.”
The Angola, NY native wasn’t a prospect that long ago, so he remembers the feeling well. He also remembers the important role a couple of key veterans – Andrew Peters to name one – played in his acclimation process.
It’s something that he wants to be a part of with this current group of potential NHLers.
“When you go in [the locker room], you’re basically [going] in your pants because you see all these guys that play in the NHL and that’s your dream,” laughed Kaleta. “You’re a little bit nervous and tight, so if you can get more comfortable and get to know a couple of guys, it makes the transition a whole lot easier.”
http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=367098
just a sidenote to this story Kaleta talked about Peters, Peters will make $550,000this year too much for a guy who sits the bench or is scratched for half the games. If you go to Sabres.com and go to roster and click on Peters you will see he only played in 44 out of 82 games last season.
Two years ago Patrick Kaleta was asked by the coaching staff to stop hitting during training camp. They didn’t want him to hurt one of the veterans.
The impression was made, so Kaleta backed off. He understood when to pick his spots and when not to unleash his aggression.
So when the Sabres development camp opened on Wednesday, did Kaleta need another talking to?
“No, I already knew,” laughed the Angola, NY native, who appeared in 40 games for the Sabres last season. “No one had to say anything. I know what this [camp] is all about.”
What the camp is about is just what it’s titled, development, not destruction. It’s about possibly creating futures, not ending careers before they start.
So with the big picture in mind, Kaleta make the responsible choice. He’s worked on his own game while helping the younger players get comfortable.
“[Two years ago] I was a younger guy trying to make an impression and now I’m a veteran in this camp, believe it or not,” said Kaleta. “I just want [the prospects] to have the best time they can here.”
The Angola, NY native wasn’t a prospect that long ago, so he remembers the feeling well. He also remembers the important role a couple of key veterans – Andrew Peters to name one – played in his acclimation process.
It’s something that he wants to be a part of with this current group of potential NHLers.
“When you go in [the locker room], you’re basically [going] in your pants because you see all these guys that play in the NHL and that’s your dream,” laughed Kaleta. “You’re a little bit nervous and tight, so if you can get more comfortable and get to know a couple of guys, it makes the transition a whole lot easier.”
http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=367098
just a sidenote to this story Kaleta talked about Peters, Peters will make $550,000this year too much for a guy who sits the bench or is scratched for half the games. If you go to Sabres.com and go to roster and click on Peters you will see he only played in 44 out of 82 games last season.