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The New York Rangers Claim Arthur Kaliyev Off Waivers

keith fries
·3 min read

On Sunday (January 5th, 2025), the Los Angeles Kings put Forward Arthur Kaliyev on waivers with the intention of sending him down to the American Hockey League's (AHL) Ontario Reign where he recently spent time on a conditioning stint (5GP-1G-1A-2P, 8 PIMS, and -2).

This morning, it was reported that the New York Rangers have claimed the former second-round draftee.

During his time with the Los Angeles Kings, Kaliyev appeared in one hundred eighty-eight regular season games, recording seventy-one points (35G, 36A). Additionally, he played in nine postseason matchups without a point.

Consistently scratched throughout the 2023-24 season, Kaliyev requested a trade which never came to fruition. This summer, Kaliyev held out on re-signing with the team before eventually putting pen to paper on September 18th, 2024 – one day before to the start of training camp.

Upon re-signing with LA, both the team and Kaliyev let bygones be bygones, choosing to move forward and let any issues stay in the rear view.

Personally, I've had my hang ups with Kaliyev even before he was selected by the Kings in 2019. Here's an excerpt from one of my writings:

The kid can score like nobody’s business. It’s a beautiful shot, and it’s really something fun to watch. But that’s it. I see no compete. I see no hustle. For a kid who’s 6’2” – 190, I see no checking. It’s incredibly frustrating. Do I think he’s a first-round talent? Absolutely. But a late first-rounder. Anyone telling you he’s a top-10 pick lives in a padded cell. - Keith Fries, June 2019

Fans had been critical of the coaching staff's use of Kaliyev (or lack thereof), arguing that the sniper would've been an asset on the power play – one that is presently ranked twenty-seventh in the league with a 16.0% success rate. Yet, time on specials teams is earned not given. We can argue all day and night if that's an old school mentality that no longer suits the game of hockey. But, it's just the way it is.

Kaliyev has yet to skate in an NHL game, this season, after suffering a broken collar bone during training camp. He's on a one-year deal worth $825K and will be a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights, this summer.

The Rangers have struggled mightily, this season, currently in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division with an 18-20-1 record. Claiming Kaliyev is a no risk situation for a team looking to throw anything at the wall to see what sticks.

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