Sunday

Future Pest: Jon Kalinski


Picked in the 6th round of the 2007 round Jon Kalinski was the first of the Flyers '07 draftees to hit the ice with the big boys. Kalinski by trade is a left winger but has shown his ability to play either wing and even center. So versatile Kalinski is also a force in the defensive end.

Kalinski is the prototypical two way forward. Playing 3 years at Minnesota state Jon wasn't a top points producer, putting up 29 points in his 3 year career, which may have led to why he dropped to the 6th round.

Kalinski possess a great head in the defensive zone and makes plays regardless of physical torment. This led to a potentially fatal leg injury during his rookie season with the Flyers. However Kalinski has bounced back and developed an agitator side to him, that was seen often in college. Racking up 147 penalty minutes for Minnesota State, Kalinski tallied 29 in the AHL this season.

The game winner versus Vancouver's Corey Schiender in 2008 was Kalinski's 1st NHL goal. Meaning he scored before Jvr who was taken 2nd overall in '07. Jon isn't offensively handicapped, scouts say he has a knack for timely goals. Which is something any team could use, especially with the growing need of back end scoring.

Kalinski has played 22 NHL games over the past 2 season, but with Darroll Powe still not re-signed Kalinski's shot could be sooner rather than later. Jon projects to be a third line defensively smart yet offensively talented pest. A fun player to watch he can play with almost anyone, as his abilities are endless.
HockeyFuture.com: "He is willing to stand in and take physical punishment for the chance to make a play."

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