Arthur Kaliyev: ‘Dream Come True’ To Play For Rangers

Arthur Kaliyev: ‘Dream Come True’ To Play For Rangers

Arthur Kaliyev is coming back home. Well, sort of anyway. Kaliyev is a Uzbekistan native but mostly grew up in Staten Island. After the Rangers claimed him, he will finally be returning to the state of New York.

“I didn’t expect it, obviously, but it’s kind of like a dream come true,” Kaliyev told reporters Tuesday. “I grew up watching and obviously living down here for a long time.”

“I used to always come watch games here (at Madison Square Garden),” he said. “It’s crazy. Not much more words you can say.”

“Been looking for it for quite a bit of time,” he said. “This is going to be really exciting, get a new, fresh starting opportunity to prove yourself as a player. I’m really excited for this opportunity.”

The Kaapo Kakko konundrum

Kaliyev, 23, has yet to play in the NHL this season but has 71 points in 197 NHL career games including playoffs.

In New York, Kaliyev will likely find a home on the third or fourth line. He’s essentially the replacement for Kaapo Kakko in the lines after he was dumped to Seattle. He’s on an expiring contract and will become an RFA at the end of the season so New York will essentially get a free look at him and then can decide from there after the season. It’s not a bad flier to take on a guy who has an incredible shot. He just doesn’t have much else to his game right now.

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