Question about Kaleta

[Iggy72]

Since it looks like our forward lines are almost set, I've been reading lot of posts on who's going to be on what line.
I've seen that a lot of you are really high on Pat Kaleta. I've seen his game, and I do like it, though it needs some refining e.g., hitting an opponent to throw add adrenaline to your team vs. giving what some may call a cheap shot and firing up your opponents.
I wonder about his contract status vs. the others. If/when Paille and MacArthur re-sign, they will not have 2 way contracts. Paille is being groomed as the next Peca, and MacArthur is being groomed to be a second line scorer, perhaps to eventually replace Max or Kotalik (don't forget he led the Amerks in scoring last year, if I'm not mistaken).
Kaleta will probably have a 2-way contract, which means that he'll probably see the route between Buffalo and Portland a lot.

Am I wrong in this? What do you think?

PS, what do you see as line combinations, then?

Pax.
Iggy72

[pigpen65]

You're right. depending on what happens with the forwards through the rest of the offseason, there's too many right now. Kaleta would be the first to go down, though Stafford can still shuttle freely as well. By the end of the season last year, Kaleta had worked himself ahead of MacArthur on the depth chart, and MacArthur was the AHL's leading scorer while playing for the Amerks early in the year. so it's not impossible that Kaleta sees some games early on even with the wealth of forwards. They would just have to send Stafford down and put Kaleta in.

[Iggy72]

Stafford has a two-way contract? I didn't know that. Maybe that's why he was in the rookie camp earlier?

Pax.
Iggy72

[pigpen65]

Everybody healthy, no trades, Mac and Paille signed.

Hecht, Connolly, Pominville
Vanek, Roy, Max
Kotalik, Guastad, Paille
Stafford, Mair, MacArthur / Peters

[pigpen65]

Stafford has a two-way contract?

He's still on his entry level contract. Everybody on an entry level contract can pass through waivers freely.

[imissandrereed]

if it comes down to Kaleta and Peters it better be Kaleta. So much MORE upside then Peters. For one Kaleta knows how to shoot a puck and tie his skates. OOH and he knows what a puck looks like thats always a plus.

[3LH]

Everybody healthy, no trades, Mac and Paille signed.

Hecht, Connolly, Pominville
Vanek, Roy, Max
Kotalik, Guastad, Paille
Stafford, Mair, MacArthur / Peters
As you said, everyone healthy with today's roster = yes, I can get behind that. Those lines will produce. Kaleta will be up and down, the 4th line will have to adjust accordingly.

[Iggy72]

Everybody healthy, no trades, Mac and Paille signed.

Hecht, Connolly, Pominville
Vanek, Roy, Max
Kotalik, Guastad, Paille
Stafford, Mair, MacArthur / Peters

Very interesting, pigpen!
Essentially, Connolly is taking Briere's place from the top line 2 seasons ago, and I like that Max isn't on the top line.
Stafford and MacArthur on the 4th line intrigues me. These two might work, especially since they spent time in Rochester together.

Pax.
Iggy72

[ddpderek]

I really think that Kaleta should be starting before Mac and Peters as I think he has amuch biiger impact.

[Snarf]

Most likely there will be enough injuries that we won't have to worry about it. I just don't see Kaleta spending much time in Portland. While it makes since on the ice at times, the Sabres have a team to market. Kaleta is a guy who they will probably push big time. I am expecting with the way he plays and that he is from Buffalo, you will see Kaleta jerseys all over the place next year. I am going to get a white one, and I already got an Amerks one.