This rumored Sabres target is looking for a change of scenery.
This rumored Sabres target is looking for a change of scenery.
Earlier this week, The Hockey News Buffalo Sabres' Michael Augello argued that the club should target Los Angeles Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev. The young forward was discussed heavily in the rumor mill at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, and the expectation has been that it will carry over to the summer.
Now, more fire has been added to the Kaliyev trade chatter. According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, Kaliyev has requested a trade out of LA.
Given how this season went for Kaliyev, it is understandable that he wants a fresh start. The 22-year-old dramatically fell on the team's depth chart and was the subject of several scratches throughout the season. He also did not appear in a single playoff game.
Kaliyev struggled offensively in 2023-24, posting just seven goals and eight assists in 51 games. It was a notable drop off from his career year in 2022-23, as he had 13 goals and a career-high 28 points in 56 games.
While Kaliyev had a down year, there is clear reason to believe that he can not only bounce back but also break out. The 6-foot-2 winger has already shown promise in the NHL, and he has the potential to be an impactful sniper with size. As a result, he's the kind of youngster the Sabres should consider taking a flier on, especially with the team needing more scoring.
When it comes to a potential return, could Peyton Krebs make sense? Like Kaliyev, he's a former top prospect who had a rough year and is having trouble breaking out in the NHL. If not Krebs, the Sabres also have picks and forward prospects who could grab Los Angeles' attention.
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