The Los Angeles Kings have re-signed Arthur Kaliyev to a contract extension. It is a one-year deal worth $825,000 to stay as a member of the club and join them as camp opens.
1 year $825,000 https://t.co/LVDqizKz3C
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) September 18, 2024
Arthur Kaliyev Signs Contract Extension With the Kings
Kaliyev has only played for the Kings over his four-year NHL career. He potted seven goals and eights assists for 15 points in 51 games this season. The Tashkent, Uzbekistan born player had a Corsi for of 61.5 and a relative Corsi of 10.0.
He has 35 goals and 36 assists for 71 points in 188 career games. Los Angeles originally drafted him in the second round, 33rd overall of the 2019 NHL Draft. His best season goal-scoring season was in 2021-22 when he netted 14 goals. However, he got one more point in the 2022-23 campaign for his career-best total in that category.
He played on Team USA at the World Junior Championships in 2020 and 2021. Kaliyev racked up a total of seven goals and seven assists in those two tournaments. He played his junior hockey with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League
What it Means
Kaliyev has seen his playing time go down but hopes to get it to bounce back. The now 23-year-old has the potential to be a big part of the lineup. However, he does need some time to grow. There was some early progress with the Kings, but his playing time dwindled this past campaign. Both player and team will look at this as an opportunity to give the player a second chance.
He did have a 51-goal season with the Bulldogs in 2018-19, so the potential is there. It seemed that Kaliyev hasn’t so far fit into the scheme of new head coach Jim Hiller. His new team will hopefully give the youngster the opportunities needed to grow into a reliable goal-scorer. It’s too early to throw the bust title out at him. Kaliyev wants to have a big 2024-25 season, to expand his opportunities, if not in L.A., then elsewhere once this contract expires in the summer. Also, if he gets hot this year, his $825K is a total bargain for the Kings.
Main photo by: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
