Newest Rangers forward is ‘one-dimensional’ player with limitations: NHL insider
Arthur Kaliyev has at least one key skill that the New York Rangers could use more of. But the 23-year-old claimed off waivers by the Rangers on Monday has several limitations, holes even, in his game that may limit the opportunity he gets with his new team.
That’s the opinion of Dennis Bernstein, the NHL insider for The Fourth Period who’s based in Los Angeles and got a close-up look at the first four seasons of Kaliyev’s NHL career with the Kings.
“The player is a one-dimensional player,” Bernstein told the Rink Rap podcast presented by Forever Blueshirts. “Now, one-dimensional players play in this league. But they have to be elite one-dimensional players, and Arthur has a great shot, he does. But the problem is, not a great skater, doesn’t really play defense, the attention to detail really isn’t there.”
It’s that shot, though, that helped Kaliyev get selected in the second round (No. 33) of the 2019 NHL Draft. That shot produced 51 goals in 67 games with Brantford of the Ontario Hockey League in 2018-19 and another 44 goals in 57 games the following OHL season. That wicked release produced his game-winning goal for the United States against Finland in the semifinals of the 2021 World Junior Championship. He had three goals and eight points in seven games to help lead the U.S. to the gold medal that year.
So, though he had his struggled in three-plus seasons with the Kings, there’s still something to like about Kaliyev and his greatest skill: his shot. Though Bernstein acknowledges that specific skill, he held firm on his overall take with Kaliyev.
“I don’t think Artie is a 25-goal scorer in this league because I don’t think he can play top-six minutes because of his speed and defensive game,” he stated.
Bernstein compared Kaliyev to Daniel Sprong, who’s scored 87 goals in 363 NHL games for six teams since 2015-16 — someone who can add production in a bottom-six role, and help out your power play. Kaliyev has 35 goals in 188 NHL games, never more than 14 in his rookie season in 2021-22. Half those goals (17) were scored on the power play.
With Chris Kreider landing on IR on Tuesday, there’s a chance Kaliyev could get an opportunity on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Reilly Smith, at least to start. He won’t be in the lineup against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, though, despite participating in the morning skate at Madison Square Garden. Jonny Brodzinski skates in Kreider’s spot Tuesday. But Thursday against the New Jersey Devils? There’s a chance.
“I think the best-case scenario is you put him in the bottom six, you give him some power-play time and maybe he gives you some production,” Bernstein said. “I think at best, Artie is what he was at his best with LA, a 12-13 minute a night guy who gave you 10-12 goals.”
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Rangers must ‘manage … expectations’ with Arthur Kaliyev, insider believes
Though it appears Bernstein isn’t high on the Kaliyev addition, the veteran reporter did note that a change of scenery was needed in this case. He also said he expects a “super motivated” Kaliyev to be re-energized returning to New York, where he grew up on Staten Island and played a year with the Jr. Rangers.
A fresh start is needed after Kaliyev asked the Kings for a trade last season, which made the forward “persona non grata” with the team. According to Bernstein, the Kings tried to trade Kaliyev at the 2024 draft in Las Vegas but couldn’t.
“Trust is a two-way street. You want to talk about players trusting coaches, there’s also coaches trusting players, and the trust wasn’t there (last season with Kaliyev),” he explained. “Remember, there were two different (Kings) coaches last season. At the beginning of the season, it was Todd McLellan, and the second half with Jim Hiller. They’re two very different personalities, and Artie couldn’t seem to get through to either one of them.”
Another important factor this season is that Kaliyev has yet to play an NHL game. He sustained a broken clavicle the first day of training camp and has only played five games on an AHL conditioning stint, collecting one goal and one assist.
That won’t make it easy for him to jump right into the Rangers’ lineup either.
“You’ve just got to manage your expectations with him,” Bernstein concluded.
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