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Some_Arrogant_Jerk
04-26-2006, 03:38 PM
Petr Kalus has taken his first major step towards the NHL -- and his first step away from the Regina Pats.

The Czech sniper, who led all WHL rookies last season with 36 goals in just 60 games, has reportedly agreed to contract terms with the Boston Bruins on a three-year entry-level contract. The NHL club has yet to file the paperwork but could announce the deal at any time.

"First and foremost you're happy for the kid," said Pats GM Brent Parker, who couldn't confirm the signing but did say it appeared to be imminent. "He worked extremely hard (last season). He's a talented player and a good young man. But obviously it does start the wheels turning in your mind as far as what that will lead to from our end."

Boston selected Kalus in the second round (39th overall) of the 2005 NHL entry draft. Shortly thereafter, Regina made him the third overall pick in the CHL import draft.

Since Kalus was drafted by Boston before the Pats acquired his rights, he will be eligible to play in the Bruins' farm system next season as a 19-year-old -- one year before North American players can be sent to the minors -- therefore decreasing the likelihood that Regina will get him back.

There's also a slight chance that Kalus could make the jump directly to the Bruins, who have a history of fast-tracking young players. For example, Boston promoted 18-year-old Patrice Bergeron immediately after selecting him in the second round (45th overall) of the 2003 NHL entry draft.

However, under the terms of the NHL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement, players can now become free agents after just seven years of pro service. Therefore, teams are often less inclined to elevate their prospects before they are sure the players are ready.

That could play in Regina's favour, but it remains to be seen how the new regime in Boston -- a replacement for fired GM Mike O'Connell has yet to be announced -- will view the situation.

"They'll have to make a decision on whether it will be better for him to play another year of junior or whether it will be better for him to play in the American League," said Parker. "It'll be one of those things in September that will be 'Wait and see.' "

For his part, the Pats GM leaves no doubt as to which side of the fence he sits.

"I've never felt that 18- and 19-year-old kids -- or very, very few of them anyway -- are ready to play professional hockey," he added. "You have some exceptions to that, with players like (Sidney) Crosby. But it certainly didn't hurt Dion Phaneuf to play at 19 in junior. It didn't hurt Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry, guys who had tremendous success in the CHL and have now gone on to have tremendous success at the National Hockey League level.

"I don't think there's any drawback to him playing junior, but I think there are some risks with him playing pro."

wango tango
04-26-2006, 04:18 PM
the pats are my very early prediction to win the east division and to be the best team in the eastern conference.

the loss of kalus could make me rethink my best team in the conference prediction. if kalus does not return to the pats it would be a big loss, you just do not easily replace a player like him.

T-Bone
04-26-2006, 05:40 PM
Boston selected Kalus in the second round (39th overall) of the 2005 NHL entry draft. Shortly thereafter, Regina made him the third overall pick in the CHL import draft.

Since Kalus was drafted by Boston before the Pats acquired his rights, he will be eligible to play in the Bruins' farm system next season as a 19-year-old -- one year before North American players can be sent to the minors -- therefore decreasing the likelihood that Regina will get him back...



Oh, so close Greg Harder. Kalus was drafted by Regina at the end of June, and the NHL Entry Draft was one month later. Kalus would (could) play in the AHL because he was selected from the European pool of eligible players instead of the North American pool (excluding NCAA players), thus nixing him from any of the CHL-NHL roadblocks.

Had he come over a season earlier (or been draft eligible in 2006) everything would be fine and dandy (AHL eligibility wise.)

Dwight Schrute
04-27-2006, 12:46 AM
Oh, so close Greg Harder. Kalus was drafted by Regina at the end of June, and the NHL Entry Draft was one month later. Kalus would (could) play in the AHL because he was selected from the European pool of eligible players instead of the North American pool (excluding NCAA players), thus nixing him from any of the CHL-NHL roadblocks.

Had he come over a season earlier (or been draft eligible in 2006) everything would be fine and dandy (AHL eligibility wise.)
that and didnt kalus dress for sme pro games in the extraliga ? that would find him another loophole to begin as a pro earlier