Just some months in the past, a few NHL insiders reported that Los Angeles Kings ahead Arthur Kaliyev was now not joyful and had requested a commerce out of Los Angeles. There was ample time for common supervisor Rob Blake to make this commerce occur however no transfer was ever made.
Buying a former second-round choose who solely has three seasons within the NHL underneath his belt can be a low-risk high-reward kind of scenario for any crew. Given Kaliyev’s current season and the very fact he was a wholesome scratch for lots of it, the Kings wouldn’t have a lot leverage, making it simpler for groups to chew the bullet and take a chance on him. The 23-year-old is at present not underneath contract. The three-year deal Kaliyev signed again in 2020 completed on the finish of final season. He’s at present a restricted free agent (RFA) giving Los Angeles full management over whether or not or not he returns as a King.
Kaliyev Discovered Success Early on as a King
Kaliyev was drafted thirty third general in 2019 and was ranked No.25 in The Athletic’s prospect rankings in 2021 (from ‘NHL prime 50 prospects, 2021 version,’ The Athletic, August 16, 2021). The 2020-21 season was an enormous one for the Uzbekistan-born winger. He scored in his first and solely sport as a King that season and had a moderately productive yr within the American Hockey League with the Ontario Reign, ending slightly below a degree per sport with 14 objectives and 31 factors by means of 40 video games. That was the identical season he performed an enormous half in main the US World Juniors crew to a gold medal, gathering eight factors in seven video games.
Issues have been wanting up for Kaliyev as his success and manufacturing ranges within the AHL rewarded him with the chance to take that subsequent large step. He performed in 80 video games for the Kings in 2021-22 and ended the season with 14 objectives and 27 assists. These are fairly respectable numbers for a second-round choose enjoying in his first NHL season.
Enchancment was a typical theme for Kaliyev over the span of three years. He was following the trajectory each crew hopes their top-end prospects observe, which was persevering with to enhance and develop every season. Kaliyev completed his 2022-23 marketing campaign with another level than he completed with the earlier season however the distinction was that he performed 24 fewer video games.
What’s stunning is how all that progress appeared to vanish final season the place he primarily performed his means into the press field. Kaliyev went from producing 0.5 factors per sport in 2022-23 to being a daily wholesome scratch and solely managing to place up seven objectives and 15 factors in 51 video games. The decline in manufacturing was astronomical and it’s no surprise he was sat loads.
What Elements Led to Kaliyev’s Wrestle and What Can Be Finished To Change That
Kaliyev had a troublesome season however lots of it could have been out of his management. In keeping with Pure Stat Trick, his most typical linemate final season was Pierre-Luc Dubois. Taking part in on a line with 2023-24 Dubois speaks for itself and when the trouble isn’t there out of your linemates it’s straightforward to lose focus. He additionally spent an honest period of time enjoying with Alex Laferriere and Phillip Danault. Laferriere was nonetheless studying the ropes and turning into snug as an NHLer so it’s unfair to criticize why manufacturing ranges have been low once they performed collectively. Taking part in with Danault additionally meant enjoying with Trevor Moore lots of the time which appeared to be an excellent match for Kaliyev. He had seven factors in 10 video games to start out the 2023-24 season enjoying on a line with each Danault and Moore.
For reference, Kaliyev spent a complete of 182:40 minutes enjoying with Dubois and the Kings solely had seven objectives for. He spent a complete of 131:25 minutes enjoying with Moore and the Kings had 11 objectives for. The GF% (objectives for share) when Kaliyev was on the ice with Moore was 73.33% versus solely 53.85% when he was enjoying with Dubois.
The on-ice components are one factor, however when a younger participant is persistently scratched and sat within the press field when issues aren’t going as easily, it takes a toll on the mentality and steals confidence. it’s exhausting for youthful gamers to get out of a rut when their foremost focus is worrying about being scratched.
Kaliyev has by no means been recognized for his capacity to drive play and his skating is the weakest a part of his sport. He’s nice at discovering open areas within the offensive zone and his launch is deadly. He’s a pure sniper who doesn’t want that a lot time and house to get the puck off his stick. For a participant like Kaliyev to be probably the most profitable, he must be surrounded by quick skaters, gamers who can use their pace to reel in defenders and permit Kaliyev to seek out his opening within the offensive zone. Moore has some loopy pace so it’s no shock the 2 of them have been in a position to click on so nicely.
Associated Hyperlink: Analyzing the Kings’ Roster Heading Into 2024-25 Season
If Kaliyev have been to be given one other shot with the Kings, there are just a few gamers who would give him one of the best likelihood at bouncing again and turning into a scoring risk the Kings desperately want extra of all through their lineup. Reuniting him with Danault and Moore can be an possibility because it appeared to work out for a bit final season.
Another choice can be to place him on a line with Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala. With the ability to play with a middle like Byfield is simply what Kaliyev must get his confidence again. Byfield’s distinctive skating and skill to achieve entry into the offensive zone and transport the puck will pair nicely with Kaliyev’s ending reward. Including a speedy Fiala — who may rating and use his shiftiness to create house — would give Kaliyev the whole lot he may ask for and the Kings their most-offensively-talented line. It’s essential for the teaching employees and administration to acknowledge what sure gamers want with a purpose to achieve success. Surrounding Kaliyev with high-end expertise in a top-six position is the easiest way to see how a lot they will get out of him.
If that doesn’t work out then the argument to maneuver on from him can be robust, however it’s too quickly for the Kings to surrender on a participant like Kaliyev. With the manufacturing and progress he had in his first two seasons, the circumstances he needed to endure final season, and the truth that the Kings want extra objective scorers, there is no such thing as a cause why he doesn’t deserve one other shot.