And here we go.
Parents often teach their kids that nothing is easy in life. A concept Arthur Kaliyev should easily relate to at this point. Originally selected by the Kings in 2019, while tearing up the OHL (including 51 and 44 goal seasons, the 23-year-old forward went on to win a gold medal with Team USA at the 2021 World Junior Championship before beginning a somewhat tumultuous pro career.
Over the past few years, Kaliyev’s story feels like a series of starts and stops. After battling through a few injuries and various other obstacles, things appeared to be on an upward trajectory following his 2022-23 campaign in Los Angeles. He had just recorded 13 goals in 56 games (which projects out around a 20-goal season when playing a full 82 games); all while largely playing fourth line minutes.
Coming into last season, Kaliyev was targeted for a bigger role. Somehow, though, he was caught up in the PL Dubois vortex and ended up forgotten about during the second-half of the season. An expected trade for a change of scenery never materialized over the summer. Just as training camp was about to open back in September, he agreed to a one-year contract extension and both sides were talking about a clean slate.
Then, it happened.
He was injured during one of the team’s first scrimmages and his fresh start was over before it even really began. Now recovered from his broken collar bone and itching to get his NHL career back on track, Kaliyev was assigned to AHL Ontario earlier this week for a conditioning assignment. As we recently noted, plans call for him to play in four games leading to the Christmas break. He’s penciled in for Ontario’s home games today and Wednesday, then next weekend the Reign have a home-and-home series with Coachella.
For now, he’s sort of moving from the doghouse to the Garage (that’s the nickname for Toyota Arena, for those who don’t keep up with those sorts of things).
Perhaps most interesting heading into today’s contest with the visiting San Jose Barracuda is the fact Kaliyev has been practicing at left wing the past few days. He’s been used quite a bit at right wing during his time in LA, yet played over on the left side rather often when he was in junior.
Coach Marco Sturm will be dealing with a other roster changes, as well. Jakub Dvorak will be gone for the next few weeks (he’s joined Czechia at the World Juniors), Caleb Jones was assigned to Ontario after clearing waivers, and Andre Lee was recalled to the Kings on Friday.
REIGN PROJECTED LINEUP vs. BARRACUDA
If there are any key changes during pregame warm-ups, this article will be updated.
Hudon – Gawdin – Malott
Kaliyev – Studnicka – Fagemo
Chromiak – Pinelli – Ward
Element – Jamsen – Madden
Hicketts – Millar
Jones – Walsh
Booth – Rowe
Portillo (starter)
Copley
Other roster options include: (F) Doty, Lawrence (D) Krygier
Puck drop is scheduled for 5:00 pm Pacific Time and the game can be viewed on FloHockey. An audio only feed is also available on the ESPN LA app.
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