Los Angeles Kings forward has reportedly requested a trade

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Cooper Godin
May 30, 2024 (12:06)

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After a third consecutive exit in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, all of them at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, the Los Angeles Kings have some big decisions to make this summer.

Their biggest piece of business will to be to address their goaltending situation. Currently, the Kings have one goaltender from their NHL roster under contract for 2024-25 - David Rittich, while Cam Talbot and Pheonix Copley are set to become unrestricted free agents on July 1st.

While addressing their goaltending will be at the top of Rob Blake's to-do list, there may be another situation brewing in Los Angeles that could see a young player being moved.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, Los Angeles Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev has requested a trade and Rob Blake will try to move him this summer.

"The Los Angeles Kings will look to trade Arty Kaliyev again this summer. The pending RFA has asked for a trade and GM Rob Blake will try to move him � perhaps package him in a deal for an upgrade elsewhere on the roster." Pagnotta said.

Kaliyev, 22, was expected to be a first round pick back in 2019, but dropped down to the second round where the Los Angeles Kings selected him 33rd overall. The pending RFA forward took a step back this season in terms of his production, putting up 15 points (seven goals, eight assists), 14 penalty minutes and was a minus-three in 51 games.

Rob Blake will have plenty of work to do in the coming weeks and as David Pagnotta mentions, maybe Kaliyev could be used as a package to address a need on their roster, potentially between the pipes. The Kings have been linked to Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros in the past, we'll see if they reach out and engage in talks again.