Patrick Kaleta signs multi-year deal.

"PK36"

BUFFALO, N.Y. (July 31, 2012) --- Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier today announced the team has signed forward Patrick Kaleta to a new, multi-year contract.

Kaleta (6’1”, 206 lbs., 6/8/86) led the team in 2011-12 with 116 PIM and led all forwards with 139 hits. Through 63 games played last season, Kaleta recorded 10 points (5+5).

A Buffalo native, Kaleta was drafted by the Sabres in the sixth round (176th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He made his first appearance with the team in the 2006-07 season and has since played in 267 games, tallying 50 points (26+24) and 434 PIM.

The Buffalo Sabres have resigned forward Patrick Kaleta, I'll admit I'm a huge Patrick Kaleta fan and pretty happy they got him for a pretty cheap price. Kaleta who will be locked up for the next three seasons at a nice cap hit of $1,275,000M is a just another piece to the puzzle that Buffalo needs in order to be that "hard to play against" team they want to be. Kaleta does it all, kills penaltys, blocks shots, throws big hits, fights and can put up 5 or so goals. One down side is that he really can't fight "well" and usually turtles.

His offensive skills wont help us but he's not here for that, if you have ever seen a Sabres game you will know exactly how Kaleta plays. If the team isn't playing well and needs a wake up call you better believe Kaleta will be the one out there throwing a huge hit or drawing a penalty and most of the time getting hurt for the team. He leaves it all out on the line every game something other players on the roster should learn. He is the player you hate if he's not on your team but absolutely love if he is. 

Kaleta loves getting under the skin of opponents and it usually works, he can get players like Lucic running around not focusing on their game. I love Kaleta but with players like Corey Tropp coming up the ranks I'm afraid Kaleta's roll might diminish. He also has of recently been injury-prone. Nonetheless I will always enjoy watching Kaleta play and hope the Sabres keep him around.