The Unlikely Emergence of Krys Kolanos

 

It’s appropriate a shroud of mystery surrounds Krys Kolanos in the days after his professional tryout contract (PTO) with the Abbotsford Heat expired.

Kolanos, a former first-round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes with a reputation for being something of an enigma, was scratched from the lineup Saturday against the Texas Stars because his PTO came to an end after Friday’s game against the same Stars.

Kolanos, 30, had seven goals and 13 points in seven games and was part of a three-way tie for the team lead in scoring. The Heat have played 15 games so far, which is an indication of the torrid offensive pace Kolanos was on when his PTO expired.

Kolanos had a massive red ‘X’ next to his name on the Heat’s roster at www.theahl.com, which means he is no longer on the active roster. According to sources with the Heat, Kolanos had been negotiating with the Calgary Flames for a contract. However, it’s unknown at this point if he was looking for a two-way deal. He is unable to rejoin the active roster without a contract, whether it’s of the two-way or minor league variety.

Kolanos, who has a history with Heat head coach Troy Ward dating back to their days with the Houston Aeros, was in Abbotsford when minor league training camp began on Sept. 23 after missing the entire 2010/11 season recovering from microfracture hip surgery. He signed a PTO with the Heat on Oct. 12 and made his debut on Oct. 28 against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

And what a first impression it was. He scored a hat trick and added an assist as the Heat dumped the Detroit Red Wings farm hands 5-1. The 13 points he notched in the seven games in Abbotsford was just two off what he put up in 27 games with the Adirondack Phantoms in 2009/10. Kolanos was sensibly named "AHL player of the week" on October 31st following his explosive debut with the team. 

Safe to say, unlike other free agent journeymmen, Kolanos has some leverage in negotiations.