Kings Arthur Kaliyev progresses to a spot on the roster – Pasadena Star News

Heading into opening night, the Kings were scheduled to face the Ducks at Staples Center on Saturday to close the preseason in their final opportunity to assess the players before making some suddenly intriguing Final Cups. Monday is the deadline for submitting rosters to the NHL, and the Kings kick off their campaign on Thursday.

a ankle injury center rookie Quinton Byfield, who Kings coach Todd McLellan said on Wednesday would almost certainly have been in the Game 1 roster had he been in good health, opened up a place in the roster as well as opportunities for move in alignment.

A player of interest is winger Arthur Kaliyev, the Uzbek American with a precise shot and titillating landing shot. Kaliyev, 20, had a hat trick in Wednesday’s 6-3 win over the Ducks, and also saw his longtime friend Alex Turcotte score. While Kaliyev was happy with the development, he didn’t worry about saving pucks for posterity when asked if anyone had caught the cookie for his third baseman.

“I don’t know; it’s preseason,” Kaliyev said with a smile.

But Kaliyev made his preseason count, not only with three goals on Wednesday, but with attention to detail in other areas of the game. Well known for his scoring ability, Kaliyev had to walk away. of the puck, improving his defensive play and offensive positioning.

“He still has a long way to go, but as I mentioned the gap between last year and this year is closed,” said McLellan. “He’s picked things up, he’s done it right and he’s pushing for a place in the roster. Will it be right away? I do not know.”

McLellan continued to be cautious about Kaliyev’s status on Friday, mentioning current big-budget players he coached early in their careers, like Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse, who cut their teeth at minors. But Kaliyev continued to skate as part of the four main lines and the Kings main group in training.

Moore in the middle, Maatta on the mend

The injury of Byfield, a center, opened up a potential place for Kaliyev, a winger, due to the versatility of forward and San Fernando Valley native Trevor Moore. The spark plug and penalty killer has primarily been a left winger in black and silver, but he has experience down center, including for red, white and blue at the 2021 World Championships.

Moore centered a better scoreline for the Americans and produced to the tune of nine points in 10 games and a plus-seven rating, helping the United States to a bronze medal.

“He had a great tournament, he played in the middle there, he commanded the ice when he played there on the big box of ice,” McLellan told reporters on Friday.

Defender Olli Maatta skates non-contact, progressing to a comeback. The veteran plans to be the Kings seventh defenseman at the start of the season if he is available.

Toews may be ready, the price is not

Two of the NHL’s most revered names, Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, provided status updates.

Price, 34, unexpectedly led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup final last season. He is the highest paid goaltender in the league and the last goaltender to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP. After an offseason that saw him recover earlier than expected from a torn meniscus and be exposed to the expansion draft (he was not selected), Price appeared physically ready to start the season with a reduced workload. .

But Price has voluntarily signed up for the NHL and NHLPA Player Assistance Program and will be out of the ice for at least 30 days. While few details are given in such situations, the context of comments by Canadiens coach Dominique Ducharme and an Instagram post by Price’s wife Angela imply that Price is dealing with his mental health.