Former LA Kings goalscorer Arthur Kaliyev officially claimed off waivers by shocking team
Arthur Kaliyev was placed on waivers yesterday by the LA Kings and was just claimed by an unsuspecting team: the New York Rangers.
To say this year has been a disappointment for the New York Rangers would be an understatement. Heading into the season with Stanley Cup aspirations, the Rangers have struggled and now sit at tied for last in the Metropolitan division with 37 points.
It is clear they needed a spark and have tried to do anything to get it. Whether that means they trade their captain Jacob Trouba or 2019 2nd overall pick Kaapo Kakko, the Rangers have taken drastic measures in an attempt to get the ball rolling.
Today, it was announced by insider Elliotte Friedman that the Rangers claimed Arthur Kaliyev off waivers from the LA Kings.
Kaliyev, once one of the most highly-touted prospects in hockey scoring 44 goals in 57 OHL games, has struggled to adapt to the NHL game. However, he does provide upside on a powerplay and could one day score 20-30 goals for the Rangers if he is put in a position to succeed alongside Artemi Panarin.
Kaliyev's best NHL season came in 2022-23 where he scored 13 goals and 28 points in 56 games as a 21-year-old.
He will now look to get back to this form with the Rangers and with coach Peter Laviolette doing anything to get the Rangers going, he may find himself thrust into a position where he can succeed and help the Rangers make a late-season surge to somehow make the playoffs.
If the Florida Panthers in 2022-23 or the St. Louis Blues in 2018-19 have proved anything, anything can happen in the NHL and once the playoffs begin, every team has a shot to go the distance and make the Stanley Cup Final or even win the whole thing.
The Rangers will try to replicate these two performances and hopefully Kaliyev could help them do just that.
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