Will the Ottawa Senators claim Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev?

Steve Staios has a long history with the Los Angeles Kings winger who was placed on waivers Sunday.

Published Jan 05, 2025  •  2 minute read

File photo: The Los Angeles Kings' Arthur Kaliyev (No. 34) is seen during a game against the Edmonton Oilers in May 2022. The Senators studied the possibility of acquiring Kaliyev at last year's draft held in Las Vegas. Photo by Codie McLachlan /Getty Images

Steve Staios could be tempted to reach back into his past.

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The Ottawa Senators could use more depth up front and the club is likely studying the option of picking up winger Arthur Kaliyev after he was placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday at 2 p.m.

The 23-year-old Kaliyev, who has yet to suit up for a National Hockey League game this season because of an injury in training camp, was placed on waivers after he completed a two-week conditioning stint with the American Hockey League’s Ontario Reign.

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The expectation is Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, will study the option of claiming Kaliyev because the two have a long history after winning an Ontario Hockey League championship together in 2018 with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Senators owner Michael Andlauer also owns the Bulldogs, who have since transferred their operation to Brantford.

The Senators studied the possibility of acquiring Kaliyev at last year’s draft held in Las Vegas, but opted not to go that route because of the Kings’ asking price.

A restricted free agent making $825,000 U.S., Kaliyev was a prolific goal-scorer in the three seasons he spent with Hamilton. He had 51 goals and 102 points in 67 games during the 2018-19 campaign.

Kaliyev has 35 goals and 71 points in 188 NHL games, but had only seven goals in 51 games last season with Los Angeles.

Somebody will likely want to give him a fresh start if he’s healthy.

If the Senators do make a claim, there is risk involved because that would bring them to the NHL’s limit of 50 contracts and it means if they want to add at the trade deadline in March they’d have to get a player off the books.

Given the fact the Senators are sitting in a playoff position, they won’t have the first selection on the waiver wire. Chicago, San Jose, Nashville, Buffalo and the Islanders are among the teams ahead of Ottawa to make a claim.

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