The Chicago Blackhawks are looking to improve upon last season when they finished second-worst in the NHL and set a franchise record with 53 losses. This might be done by utilizing some of the salary cap space the team has and bringing in some veteran players and building through younger talent. Taking chances on a player or two, starting this offseason, could really help Chicago. There are a lot of areas where the Blackhawks need to improve, but acquiring more young forwards is near the top. Some options don't come from Chicago's system. The Los Angeles Kings are reportedly trying to move winger and former OHL sniper Arthur Kaliyev as the pending RFA once again asked for a trade. The Kings just haven't given Kaliyev, who turns 23 on June 26, much of a chance and he has a ton of potential if given more room to grow. As L.A. is a playoff contender, there isn't much room for error and to give a long leash to younger players ready to take the next step. FORMER OHL SNIPER Kaliyev, a native of Uzbekistan, played three seasons in with the OHL Hamilton Bulldogs. He scored 126 goals and posted 248 points in 192 junior games, topping out with a 51-goal, 51-assist season in 2018-19. The Kings drafted him in the second round, 33rd overall in 2019. Published reports have suggested that Kaliyev could be traded as part of a package to upgrade elsewhere on the Kings' roster. The Blackhawks don't really have much in the way of what the Kings would be looking for in that regard. This doesn't mean Chicago won't or can't make the best offer. Kaliyev played 51 games this season in the 2023-24 regular season and averaged 11:48 of ice time. He got into just two of the Kings' five playoff games in the same role. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Kaliyev is an excellent shooter even though he only scored seven goals and 15 points last season. He was utilized on the second power-play unit, but with an opportunity, could really do some damage on a first unit, say next to Connor Bedard in Chicago. If the Blackhawks were to acquire Kaliyev in a trade, he would get the room to grow. Every player under contract in Chicago is coming into training camp in the fall fighting for a spot on the team. That is a great mentality put forth by general manager Kyle Davidson and coach Luke Richardson, and could really give some young players a good chance at earning a spot for the first time. See Davidson in the following video. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson talks about the possibility of trading draft picks. Due to where the Blackhawks finished in the standings in 2023-24 (31st), not much is set coming into next season. Maybe Bedard and Philipp Kurashev are a lock to start on the same line, but players are going to have to prove they deserve to play and get more ice time. Kaliyev's 6.9% shooting percentage tailed off last season, meaning it is bound to rise to the mean eventually. He took about two shots per game, and that was on the Kings' fourth line. With a couple of more minutes on the ice and in the offensive zone per game, he could get that up to 2.5-3 shots per game and finish more. The Blackhawks would not only get a sniper before he even hits his prime, Kaliyev also brings physicality. He's had to grind due to where he's played in the lineup. Chicago has more than enough draft picks to win over the Kings in a trade as the Blackhawks have five first-round picks, seven second-round picks, four third-round picks, and four fourth-round picks over the next three years. RECENT BLACKHAWKS NEWS Could D-Man Who Broke Connor Bedard's Jaw, Devils Brendan Smith, Become A Blackhawk? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/players/could-d-man-who-broke-connor-bedards-jaw-devils-brendan-smith-become-a-blackhawk] Blackhawks Have Great Veteran UFA Defense Target in Vegas' Alec Martinez [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/blackhawks-have-great-veteran-ufa-defense-target-in-vegas-alec-martinez] Blackhawks Should Lock In "Identity Pieces" Colin Blackwell and Joey Anderson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/players/blackhawks-should-lock-in-identity-pieces-colin-blackwell-and-joey-anderson] Which Potential 2024 Draftee Got Blackhawks to Move Up Two Spots to 18th? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/latest-news/which-potential-2024-draftee-got-blackhawks-to-move-up-two-spots-to-18th]
