Senators Bet on Arthur Kaliyev’s Untapped Potential in Bold Signing
Arthur Kaliyev is officially joining the Ottawa Senators, and while it may not be a blockbuster signing, this could be a quietly impactful move for both the player and the team. After bouncing around the league last season, the talented winger is now getting what could be his last, best shot at finding a stable NHL home—and it’s happening in Ottawa.
Kaliyev, a 2019 second-round draft pick, was once considered one of the best pure shooters in his class. He impressed early in his career with the Los Angeles Kings, especially in the 2021–22 season where he put up 14 goals and 27 points while playing in all 80 games. But as the seasons rolled on, his defensive play and inconsistency saw him fall out of favor. Injuries certainly didn’t help his cause, especially a clavicle fracture and upper-body setbacks that limited him to just 19 professional games in 2024–25, split between the NHL and AHL.
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Despite those struggles, Kaliyev’s scoring efficiency is worth noting. Across his 202-game NHL career, he’s averaged 15 goals and 30 points per 82 games—all while playing under 13 minutes per night. That type of low-risk, high-reward scoring potential is exactly what teams like Ottawa need to gamble on, especially when filling out their bottom six forward group.
The Senators clearly believe there’s more to Kaliyev’s game than we’ve seen recently. It helps that the team’s leadership is familiar with him—Ottawa’s current ownership and front office worked with him during his OHL days with the Hamilton Bulldogs. Back then, he was a dominant offensive force who helped lead the team to an OHL title.
This signing likely slots Kaliyev into a fourth-line role to start, but there’s an opportunity for him to grow into more. He could follow in the footsteps of someone like Adam Gaudette, who turned a similar role into a 19-goal season before cashing in elsewhere. The Senators are hoping Kaliyev can do the same—or even better.
While details of the contract haven’t been released, one thing is clear: this is a fresh start for a player who once looked destined to score 25 goals a season. If he stays healthy and earns some power play time or mid-six minutes, Kaliyev might finally find the stability—and success—that’s eluded him so far.
For Ottawa, this is a smart, calculated swing on a player with a wicked shot and something to prove. And for Arthur Kaliyev, it’s time to turn potential into performance.
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