Arthur Kaliyev proved, yet again, that you can go home.
Well, sort of, anyway.
The New York Rangers claimed the former Staten Island resident off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, the club announced.
The 23-year-old Kaliyev was actually born in Uzbekistan, but moved to the Island along with his family when he was just two-years-old. The right wing lived here for 11 years before moving to Michigan.
The slumping Rangers are looking for some additional punch offensively and although Kaliyev has yet to play in the NHL this season because he broke his clavicle during training camp with the Kings, he has appeared in 188 contests with the West Coast club. In fact, he’s got 35 goals and 36 assists to his credit while playing for Los Angeles in parts of four seasons.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Kaliyev is a 2019 second-round pick (33rd overall) of the Kings. The Blueshirts, of course, traded former No. 2 overall pick Kappo Kakko to Seattle last month and may attempt to replace the bust with their new claim.
Kaliyev is making $825,000 this year and will be a restricted free agent when the season is over. To make room for Kaliyev, the Rangers sent Matt Rempe to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. Rempe has one game remaining on an eight-game suspension.
The Rangers are back in action Tuesday when they host the Dallas Stars (7 p.m.). It is unclear if Kaliyev will be in the lineup or not.