Career
He was drafted by the Sabres 18th overall in the 1998 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He had an injury plagued 2005-2006 season, but did not miss a game in the 2006-2007 season. He scored the National Hockey League"s first goal in the 2006-2007 season, at 9:09 of the first period in the season opener at the Carolina Hurricanes.
Kalinin became an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2008 and two days later signed a one-year contract with the New York Rangers.
On March 4, 2009, Kalinin was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes along with Petr Průcha and Nigel Dawes for Derek Morris. On July 21, 2009, Kalinin signed a two-year contract with the Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Kalinin had a successful two seasons with Salavat before signing with SKA Saint St. Petersburg. He continued his success in the KHL with SKA and gained recognition as one of the most feared defensemen in the KHL. Prior to the beginning of the 2012-2013 season, he was named Saint St. Petersburg"s captain, after being a major factor in his team"s Gagarin Cup victory the season before.
His only season as captain was a success in returning SKA to the playoffs.