Sens sign Foligno, Sabres hang onto Kaleta
The Ottawa Senators have announced that they have signed left-winger Nick Foligno to a two year contract. Foligno was a restricted free agent and signing him avoids arbitration. Also, the Buffalo Sabres have announced the signing of right-winger Patrick Kaleta to a two-year-deal. Signing Kaleta avoided a scheduled arbitration hearing for the RFA.
Nick Foligno
Foligno began his professional career playing for the United States under-18 development program. He quickly moved to the Ontario Hockey League where he joined the Sudbury Wolves. In Sudbury Foligno played three strong seasons, which culminated in a final season of 31 goals, 57 assists for 88 points in just 66 games.
This type of production sparked the Ottawa Senators to draft Foligno 28th overall in the 2006 National Hockey League entry draft.
Foligno split his first season between the Senators and their American Hockey League affiliate the Binghamton Senators. During his second season he played well, tallying 32 points in 81 games.
Last season with the Sens Foligno notched 9 goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 61 games.
Ottawa’s Perspective
With the Foligno signing the Sens lock up a youngster who they believe has a great deal of promise.
The Foligno signing also brings together their forward unit for the upcoming 2010-11 season. With this recent signing Ottawa looks poised for puck drop in October.
The 22-year-old Buffalo native will once again log third line minutes, but has proven he is able to step up to the second line when necessary. The two year contract gives the Senators a little bit more time to develop the youngster who has struggled with injury problems throughout his career.
Foligno’s Perspective
For Foligno another two year contract with the Senators works out perfectly. He has been able to log an appropriate amount of ice time with the club, and has become an every day roster player. If he is able to stay healthy, the next two seasons should see Foligno take more of an important role in the franchise.
Patrick Kaleta
Kaleta began his professional career with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. He spent four seasons with the Petes mostly as an enforcer or pest. He amassed 460 penalties minutes over his career in Peterborough. His best offensive season with the club came in 2004-05 when he scored 52 points in 62 games.
Kaleta was drafted by the Sabres 176th overall in the 6th round of the 2004 NHL entry draft. He spent his first two seasons with the Sabers bouncing between Buffalo’s AHL affiliate the Rochester Americans and the main club. In 2008-09 he left Rochester and joined the club permanently.
Last season with Buffalo Kaleta potted 10 goals and five assists, for 15 points in 55 games.
Sabers Perspective
For Buffalo Kaleta brings a bit of edge to their line-up. He is a pest in every sense of the word, and takes pleasure in trying to throw off the other team’s star players. Because of his lack of offensive output he is reserved to fourth line duty, but seems to make the most of his lack of ice time.
The Kaleta signing is similar to that of Foligno’s. The Sabers look to have put the finishing touches on their forward unit for next season, and may be ready to start looking at the defensive side of the puck.
Kaleta’s Perspective
For the 24-year-old Buffalo native staying with his home team is a dream come true. In addition, he gets to spend another two years with an NHL contract. The two year extension gives Kaleta a chance to prove that he is more then just a pest and deserves a permanent spot in the roster.
If he wants to stay in the league he is going to have to take a lesson from Ottawa’s Chris Neal, and start contributing offensively.
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