LA Sports Hub
Fansided

4 LA Kings on Thin Ice Following Jim Hiller Extension as Head Coach

After the Kings signed head coach Jim Hiller to a three-year extension, these four Los Angeles players have found themselves on thin ice.

By Devon Platana

Which Kings are on thin ice following the Jim Hiller contract extension?
Which Kings are on thin ice following the Jim Hiller contract extension? / Ronald Martinez/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next

3. Arthur Kaliyev, RW/LW

When the Kings drafted Arthur Kaliyev 33rd overall in 2019, the hope was that he'd eventually develop into a top-six forward. He showed a ton of offensive potential throughout his time in the Ontario Hockey League, so all signs pointed to him thriving in Los Angeles' talented forward group.

Instead, Kaliyev hasn't developed as planned and could be on his way out the door this offseason. The struggling forward only registered 15 points in 51 games this season while his 6.9% shooting percentage was the worst mark of his early NHL career.

While sometimes teams would be willing to allow a 22-year-old to have another year to turn things around, I don't see that happening here. Kaliyev has a healthy scratch more often than not in the second half of the campaign, only playing in 13 of Hiller's 34 games behind the bench. The Uzbekistan native also didn't see a single second of ice time in the playoffs.

The Athletic's Eric Stephens is at the point where he'd be shocked if Kaliyev returns next season. It's clear that the former Hamilton Bulldog needs a change of scenery to help turn things around, meaning the Kings may opt not to tender the pending restricted free agent.

Home/Los Angeles Kings