Los Angeles Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev was suspended for two preseason and two regular-season games without pay on Thursday for kneeing Anaheim Ducks forward Chase De Leo.
Kaliyev initiated a knee-on-knee hit against De Leo Tuesday night in a preseason game between the Kings and Ducks. De Leo was hurt on the play, and Kaliyev was handed a two-minute minor penalty.
Kaliyev had a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday before the ruling was handed down Thursday.
“Kaliyev adjusts to De Leo’s movements by extending his knee forward, significantly ensuring contact is made,” a Department of Player Safety official said in an explanation video. “This extension results in knee-on-knee contact with force necessary to merit supplemental discipline.”
Kaliyev had been fined once previously in his NHL career. This marks his first suspension.
He will be forced to sit out the Kings’ season opener against the Colorado Avalanche Oct. 11 and a game against the Carolina Hurricanes Oct. 14, both games at home.
In his second full season in the NHL in 2022-23, Kaliyev had a career-best 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in just 56 games. He has 28 goals and 28 assists in 137 career games for the Kings.
–Field Level Media