Another year, another playoff loss for the Los Angeles Kings. That has been the story of the Kings, who have fallen into mediocrity after their memorable 2013-14 season that concluded with them as Stanley Cup champions. This season was no different. Los Angeles made the postseason but was quickly bounced by the Edmonton Oilers. After another disappointing season, rumors are beginning to swirl about upcoming offseason moves. One rumor centers are the young Arthur Kaliyev.
According to insiders, Kings’ forward Arthur Kaliyev is ‘clearly getting dealt’ this offseason.
The rumors started with general manager Rob Blake’s recent comments, saying “he [Kaliyev] didn’t help us down the stretch at all.” The Kings’ swift playoff exit has fueled further speculation that a change is coming soon.
Elliotte Friedman shared his thoughts on the situation on his 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. “Kaliyev is clearly getting dealt, its the best outcome for the player,” Friedman said. “Rob Blake was quite blunt when talking about that. It’s the best outcome for the player, they didn’t use him and he needs to go kickstart his career somewhere else.”
Kaliyev was selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. He is only 22 years old and has logged 35 goals and 36 assists for 71 total points across 188 games played.
One team to watch as a potential suitor is the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins need to reinforce their lineup and could see Kaliyev as a low-risk, high-reward trade target. The Kings could be interested in players like Jesse Puljujarvi in return, who boasts impressive defensive skills and a hard-nosed attitude. He could make an impact right away for the Kings.
Recapping Kings vs. Oilers playoff series
The Los Angeles Kings faced off against the Edmonton Oilers in the playoffs for the third year in a row. The third time wasn’t the charm and they limped home after losing the series in five games.
In hindsight, there was little chance that the Kings could win the series. According to The Athletic, Los Angeles only had a 29% chance to win the series. They also successfully predicted that the series would end in a five-game victory for Edmonton.
The Oilers have been a serious roadblock for the Kings recently. The two teams have met 10 times during the playoffs since 1982. Edmonton has won eight of those series.
The Kings held their own for a good portion of the series. Aside from a 6-1 thumping in Game 3, the Kings hung with the Oilers and made for an exciting series to watch.
Game five was decided by special teams with two of Edmonton’s goals coming just after time expired on penalties.
“That was a difference in this series,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said, referring to special teams.
Both coaches agreed that it decided the game, and possibly the series.
“It’s pretty simple to write this one,” Kings interim head coach Jim Hiller said. “You saw one team execute, and one team not, on special teams.”
The Kings have a lot of work ahead of them if they’re going to get over the hump in the 2024-25 NHL season.
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