Rangers Claim Arthur Kaliyev From Kings

Rangers Claim Arthur Kaliyev From Kings

Chris Drury continues to shuffle around deck chairs and furniture while creating the worst culture imaginable all at the same time. I guess this is the Kaapo Kakko replacement after they traded him to Seattle? New York has claimed Arthur Kaliyev off the waiver wire after the Kings gave up on him.

The Rangers team website was the first to report the news:

The Kings posted, “Good luck in the Big Apple, Arty!” on social media after the Rangers claimed him.

Kaliyev, 23, has yet to play in the NHL this season. Kaliyev has 35 goals and 36 assists for 71 points in 197 NHL career games including playoffs.

The Uzbekistan native was a second round (33rd overall) pick of the 2019 NHL Draft. He just never found a home in LA. However, this is a bit of a homecoming considering that he grew up in Staten Island, NY, and played for the US World Junior team way back in 2020 and 2021. Maybe this is the change of scenery he needs to get back on track.

Maybe that will be different with the Rangers. In the handful of times I’ve seen him, his shot is absolutely legit. He just needs work in the other areas of his game but is still plenty young enough to become something.

The winger carries an $825,000 cap hit and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. He’s likely going to be part of the third or fourth line in New York for the time being.

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