Rangers claim Arthur Kaliyev off waivers from Kings

The Rangers announced on Monday that they claimed right winger Arthur Kaliyev off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings.

Kaliyev, 23, has played parts of four seasons with the Kings, appearing in 188 games while tallying 71 points (35 goals, 36 assists) in his career. He has not appeared in the NHL at all this season due to a broken clavicle he sustained in training camp, however, he completed a five-game conditioning stint for the AHL’s Ontario Reign, finishing with one goal and one assist.

A former second-round pick (33rd overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, Kaliyev gives the Blueshirts a low-risk, potentially high-reward young forward that can replace Kaapo Kakko who was dealt to the Seattle Kraken in December.

While the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder’s goal-scoring dropped off last season in Los Angeles, he has experience on the power play and can be used as a trigger man likely on New York’s second, third or fourth line.

With a salary of $825,000 this season, Kaliyev will be a restricted free agent this offseason. However, if the Rangers choose to retain him they have his rights for next season and beyond due to his age.

To make room for Kaliyev on the roster New York sent Matt Rempe, who still has one game left to serve on his eight-game suspension for elbowing Miro Heiskanen, to the AHL.