3 Players The Chicago Blackhawks Should Acquire Who Need Change of Scenery

Arthur Kaliyev

Kaliyev has always been a highly skilled winger with a natural ability to score goals. Many considered him a first-round talent in the 2019 draft, but ultimately fell to the second round where the Los Angeles Kings selected him 33rd overall. The 6'2 winger tallied 51 goals and 102 points in 67 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL during his draft year.

Kaliyev became a full-time NHL player during the 2021-22 season with the Kings, tallying 14 goals and 27 points in 80 games. Last season saw Kaliyev's best points percentage in his career so far, where he totaled 28 points in 56 games, a 41-point pace across a full 82-game schedule. However, following up his quietly productive sophomore season, he only has 6 goals and 14 points in 44 games this season, putting him at a 26-point pace (per 82 games).

This season, Kaliyev has found himself as a healthy scratch much more frequently since Jim Miller took over as the Kings' new Head Coach. His career average ice time is 12:23, putting him at primarily bottom-six minutes with time on the second power-play unit.

A player of Kaliyev's caliber is not going to be able to take that next step offensively while playing in a bottom-six role. However, he's proven to be a decent presence on the power-play with 17 of his 34 career goals coming on the man advantage.

Kaliyev has the tools to become a solid NHL winger due to his size (6'2 210lbs) and natural ability to score. A change of scenery could be in order to send Kaliyev to a team willing to give him a larger role in their lineup. The Blackhawks could be a great fit for the young winger, as a team who can give him the ice time to prove himself with more meaningful minutes. Also, at 22 years-old, Kaliyev could possibly find his way into the Blackhawks future plans if he finds his game.