After leading the AHL with 40 goals, the lethal sniper enters unrestricted free agency. Will an NHL team gamble on his elite shot, or is Europe calling?
Arthur Kaliyev is a player worth keeping an eye on as NHL free agency gets underway on July 1st.
The Ottawa Senators elected not to tender the 24-year-old restricted free agent a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
The decision comes after a season where Kaliyev did just about everything he could at the AHL level. He spent most of the year with the Belleville Senators and led the league with 40 goals in 70 games.
The numbers were impressive, but they never really led to an opportunity in Ottawa. The Uzbekistan native appeared in just two NHL games despite finishing as the AHL's leading goal scorer.
It'll be interesting to see where he lands next. There should be NHL teams willing to take a chance on a player with that kind of shot and finishing ability. If that opportunity doesn't come together, though, it wouldn't be surprising to see him head overseas, where his scoring touch would likely make him a very intriguing option for clubs in Europe or the KHL.
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