Arthur Kaliyev Signs Tryout Deal With Iowa Wild

The 25-year-old forward joins the Iowa Wild on a professional tryout contract.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Hockey

Arthur Kaliyev Signs Tryout Deal With Iowa Wild

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Arthur Kaliyev has signed a professional tryout contract with the Iowa Wild. The veteran forward enters the organization after appearing in 70 AHL games last season with the Belleville Senators.

Why it matters

The signing offers Kaliyev an opportunity to return to form after the Ottawa Senators chose not to extend a qualifying offer this past offseason. He seeks to build on a career that spans 204 NHL games.

Kaliyev was the 33rd overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and recorded 68 total points during his 70-game stint in the AHL last season. He has registered 76 total points over six NHL seasons.

The players

Arthur Kaliyev

He is a 25-year-old professional hockey player who was originally selected 33rd overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Iowa Wild

They are a professional minor league hockey team based in Des Moines that serves as the AHL affiliate for the Minnesota Wild.

The details

Kaliyev joins the Iowa Wild roster following an investigation by the NHL into allegations that he stole $50,000 from a former girlfriend to fund a gambling habit. The league officially cleared him of policy violations in February 2026.

Arthur Kaliyev was selected in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
The NHL cleared Arthur Kaliyev of policy violations in February 2026.
Arthur Kaliyev signed a professional tryout with the Iowa Wild in October 2026.

Season Trajectory

Kaliyev enters this tryout seven years after his selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. This move serves as a critical bridge for his career trajectory as he looks to regain momentum within the AHL following his departure from the Ottawa Senators organization.

Kaliyev will compete for a roster spot in Iowa after recording 40 goals and 28 assists during his 70-game stint in the AHL last season. His performance in Des Moines will determine if he can secure a standard contract and potentially return to NHL-level play.

The takeaway

Kaliyev is focused on proving his value to the Iowa organization after a period of off-ice scrutiny and a move away from the Ottawa system. Consistency during this tryout period remains his primary pathway back to the top tier of professional hockey.