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Rangers face Stars, Kaliyev claimed, lineup impact |
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The Blueshirts kick off a rough stretch of games Tuesday, as they face the Stars at home. Following tonight’s contest, New York next four games are home vs. New Jersey and on the road in Vegas and Colorado. The Blueshirts have a shiny new player after claiming Arthur Kaliyev off waivers from LA. We will see if Kaliyev dresses tonight.
Kaliyev, selected 33rd overall in 2019 by the Kings, is a shoot-first right winger. That latter skill is an area of need for New York, as they lack someone who is willing to grip it and rip it. A broken clavicle suffered in training camp sidelined him to start the season. LA had others fill top-nine roles, relegating Kaliyev to the press box.
He is far from a perfect winger, which is why he was placed on waivers and failed to earn a full time role. Kaliyev has 35 goals and 36 assists in 188 games and fits best in a top-six role. His skating and defensive play leave a lot to be desired, as those areas of his game failed to develop. The same to a certain extent with his inability to set up his teammates.
New York was able to claim Kaliyev due to their slump, as that slid them down the standings, creating the opportunity. Adding Kaliyev is a good low risk, possible decent reward. With the team looking for scoring and depth, Kaliyev gets a shot to show he can stick. If he fails to take advantage of this change, he will end up back on waivers.
Kaliyev’s addition impacts several others. Room for him was originally created due to Chris Kreider’s injury. If CK ends up on IR, that’s a roster spot. To make room - right now - for Kaliyev, Matt Rempe was sent down. Rempe has one game remaining on his eight game suspension. If Kreider ends up on IR, Rempe will get called back up to initially serve that extra game. He actually could use additional time in the minors to learn how to consistently play without taking stupid penalties, especially ones that result in suspensions.
Jonny Brodzinski, who dressed and scored in placed of Kreider on Sunday, is the one likely to be scratched for Kaliyev. Reilly Smith could get bumped down a line. Smith has played better lately, so it’s possible he stays on the Mika Zibanjead line with Brett Berard dropped to the fourth line. If that happens, Kaliyev will skate next to Filip Chytil and Will Cuylle. But if you are going to give a Kaliyev a true chance, he should be deployed on the Zib trio.
Brennnan Othman, recently back from his injury, will continue to marinate in the minors. Sooner or later the organization has to see if he can fill a top-six or -nine slot. For now, Othmann benefits from top line minutes at Hartford. But each winger addition pushes him further down the pecking order. His growth has not been linear, but if he gets hot, Othmann will deserve a place in New York. The question is whether one will exist and if he will still be here.
More to come once lines are announced.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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