Kings forward requests a trade out of Los Angeles.
After four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, it appears he believes he can do better elsewhere.
The Los Angeles Kings have been presented with a problem early in the offseason, with a National Hockey League insider reporting that one of their forwards has made some trade demands.
According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev is looking for a way out of Los Angeles after requesting a trade from general manager Rob Blake. According to Pagnotta, the Kings will attempt to move the young forward who is a pending unrestricted free agent.
The timing from Kaliyev is less than ideal with the 22 year old former second round pick (33rd overall) at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft coming off arguably the worst season of his career thus far. After putting up 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points over 56 games for the Kings last season, Kaliyev's numbers declined significantly with just 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points over 51 games during the 2023-24 regular season.
Kaliyev is coming off the final year of his entry level contract, one which carried an average annual value of just a little over $1 million per season.
Not only will the Kings be looking to trade Kaliyev at a less than ideal time, but any team acquiring him would only be acquiring his rights and would to sign Kaliyev to a new deal. Both these factors are likely to limit the kind of return the Kings will be able to get in any trade involving Kaliyev, but only time will tell if Rob Blake can pull it off.
