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 decide who solely has three seasons within the NHL below his belt can be a low-risk high-reward kind of state of affairs for any group. Given Kaliyev’s latest 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 raffle on him. The 23-year-old is presently not below contract. The three-year deal Kaliyev signed again in 2020 completed on the finish of final season. He’s presently 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 a giant one for the Uzbekistan-born winger. He scored in his first and solely recreation as a King that season and had a fairly productive 12 months within the American Hockey League with the Ontario Reign, ending just below a degree per recreation with 14 objectives and 31 factors by 40 video games. That was the identical season he performed an enormous half in main the USA World Juniors group to a gold medal, accumulating eight factors in seven video games.
Issues had been wanting up for Kaliyev as his success and manufacturing ranges within the AHL rewarded him with the chance to take that subsequent huge 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 decide taking part in in his first NHL season.
Enchancment was a typical theme for Kaliyev over the span of three years. He was following the trajectory each group hopes their top-end prospects observe, which was persevering with to enhance and develop every season. Kaliyev completed his 2022-23 marketing campaign with yet one more 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 basically performed his manner into the press field. Kaliyev went from producing 0.5 factors per recreation 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 so much.
What Elements Led to Kaliyev’s Wrestle and What Can Be Accomplished To Change That
Kaliyev had a tricky season however lots of it might have been out of his management. In keeping with Pure Stat Trick, his commonest linemate final season was Pierre-Luc Dubois. Taking part in on a line with 2023-24 Dubois speaks for itself and when the hassle isn’t there out of your linemates it’s straightforward to lose focus. He additionally spent a good period of time taking part in with Alex Laferriere and Phillip Danault. Laferriere was nonetheless studying the ropes and changing into snug as an NHLer so it’s unfair to criticize why manufacturing ranges had been low once they performed collectively. Taking part in with Danault additionally meant taking part in with Trevor Moore lots of the time which gave the impression to be a superb match for Kaliyev. He had seven factors in 10 video games to begin the 2023-24 season taking part in on a line with each Danault and Moore.
For reference, Kaliyev spent a complete of 182:40 minutes taking part in with Dubois and the Kings solely had seven objectives for. He spent a complete of 131:25 minutes taking part in 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 taking part in with Dubois.
The on-ice components are one factor, however when a younger participant is constantly 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 arduous for youthful gamers to get out of a rut when their fundamental focus is worrying about being scratched.
Kaliyev has by no means been identified for his skill to drive play and his skating is the weakest a part of his recreation. 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 area 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 velocity to reel in defenders and permit Kaliyev to seek out his opening within the offensive zone. Moore has some loopy velocity so it’s no shock the 2 of them had been in a position to click on so effectively.
Associated Hyperlink: Analyzing the Kings’ Roster Heading Into 2024-25 Season
If Kaliyev had been to be given one other shot with the Kings, there are a couple of gamers who would give him the very best probability at bouncing again and changing 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. Having the ability to play with a middle like Byfield is simply what Kaliyev must get his confidence again. Byfield’s distinctive skating and talent to realize entry into the offensive zone and transport the puck will pair effectively with Kaliyev’s ending reward. Including a speedy Fiala — who can even rating and use his shiftiness to create area — would give Kaliyev every thing he may ask for and the Kings their most-offensively-talented line. It’s essential for the teaching workers and administration to acknowledge what sure gamers want with the intention to achieve success. Surrounding Kaliyev with high-end expertise in a top-six position is one of the best ways 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, but it surely’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 aim scorers, there isn’t a cause why he doesn’t deserve one other shot.
