Patrick Kaleta - US Olympian?

Brian Burke says that there are 3 spots left on the US Olympic team.

So why not throw a little love out there for Angola, NY's pride and joy, Patrick Kaleta?

I know it is an extreme homer take. But, Patrick can skate well and what team couldn't use Kaleta on the 4th line to crash, bang, and agitate the hell out of their opponents?

Add in Patrick's ability to draw other teams into penalties and the case for Kaleta's inclusion on the team may be stronger than anyone thinks.

And you know Brian Burke won't be afraid to add grit to the US roster.

He uttered this take about what the Leafs were supposed to be like:

"We require, as a team, proper levels of pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence. That's how our teams play"

That describes Patrick Kaleta's game to me!

First place panic

First off, my thoughts go out to Mike Grier and his family.

I love Sabres fans.

The team is in first place in the Northeast Division despite the offense so far this season being sketchy at best and people are still contemplating things like:

- Trading away Tyler Myers' defense partner
- Dreaming of ways to pry away Martin Biron away from the Islanders

The tough part with any trade thoughts right now is the fact that the Sabres, and the vast majority of other teams, are in either a cap restricted situation or a budget restricted situation.

The Sabres cheapness rep isn't a reality this season with the Sabres less than $2 million below the cap.

That cap reality and the fact that guys like Vanek, Pominville, Connolly, and Hecht are for all intents and purposes unmovable (for one reason or another), and the Sabres are unlikely to add the game breaking forward that everyone would love to see Regier acquire.

So, fans have to just sit back, enjoy Myers, Kaleta, Kennedy, and Miller, and hope that the likes of Vanek, Connolly, Roy, and Pominville wake up soon.

Oh yeah, and hope that Ryan Miller doesn't get overworked and run out of gas!