Rangers’ Arthur Kaliyev still settling in with his new team

SALT LAKE CITY — Arthur Kaliyev’s start to the 2024-25 season was unconventional.

For starters, it didn’t officially begin until three games ago on Jan. 9, when the 23-year-old wing was dropped into the middle of the Battle of the Hudson after getting picked up off waivers by the Rangers three days earlier.

Considering the fact he opened the season on injured reserve with a fractured clavicle, Kaliyev has had to not only shake off the rust from missing the first three-plus months of the season, but also re-acclimate to just the second NHL team he’s ever been part of.

Arthur Kaliyev (34) and Sam Malinski pursue the puck during the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Avalanche on Jan. 14, 2025. AP

“I think it’s slowly getting better,” Kaliyev said of how he’s settling after participating in the Rangers’ optional practice at the Olympic Oval on Wednesday afternoon. “Feeling a little better each game. Hopefully, things keep feeling better out there and keep playing my best in all three zones. Hopefully, I start getting more shots and more goals, maybe.”

After skating on the right wing of the third line alongside Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil on Tuesday night, Kaliyev has already played with six different Rangers. He also lined up next to Brett Berard and Jonny Brodzinski in his Blueshirts debut before skating next to Jimmy Vesey and Sam Carrick in the following contest.

All of those factors considered, Kaliyev is understandably still getting his bearings.

“We’re getting a look, we’re trying to get that opinion of his game,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “The conversations with him are to work to make an impact, to show what you’re capable of. We know that he can shoot the puck and he can create. He’s a big guy. He can have that impact in a game. I think he’s played with different linemates just about every game, so trying to find some continuity inside of a line. I think that takes a minute or two.

“I know that he’s a guy that can make a difference offensively and we’d like to see him try and continue to push that.”

Laviolette brought up a shot on goal Kaliyev had against the Avalanche that was “ripped.”

Because Kaliyev is known to have that shoot-first mentality, Laviolette said he wanted to see it more and have Kaliyev find his way into the areas where he can get his shot off.

The adjustment period, however, is still ongoing for Kaliyev.

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Asked how he felt physically and if he was back to game shape yet, Kaliyev said he thinks it’s starting to come along.

“I was doing a lot of skating [coming] off my injury,” he said. “I felt better than I thought I would. I don’t think I’m up there at my best yet, but it’s getting better, I think. Just getting that timing and feeling back everywhere. It was a long time I didn’t play.”

With a 53.8 percent mark, the Rangers rank second in the NHL in faceoff win percentage and have been 50 percent or better in 30 of 43 games so far this season for a 69.8 percent showing.

The Hartford Wolf Pack is having a Matt Rempe bobblehead-themed night on Jan. 25.