Things seem to be going from bad to worse for the Ottawa Senators.
They’re already struggling to stay rack up meaningful wins in the absence of their captain, Brady Tkachuk. Now, Ottawa has been hit with another controversy.
However, this time the issues aren’t on the ice but rather have something to do with the recent allegations against one of Ottawa’s developmental players. While the Senators are trying to get to the root of this new development, NHL fans already want the player off the team.
Why Are Fans Calling For The Senators To Release Arthur Kaliyev?
With a record of 6-5-2, the Senators have found themselves in hot water since the season began. However, their latest challenge has nothing to do with on-ice performance. Instead, it concerns allegations against Arthur Kaliyev.
The ex-Rangers winger is signed to the Belleville Senators, the AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, and was seen as a rising prospect for the side. But Mollie Walker from the New York Post brought some troubling allegations to light.
According to Walker’s article, Kaliyev was accused of scamming his ex-girlfriend out of over $50,000 to fuel what she describes as a severe gambling addiction.
While investigation from the NHL’s side is still pending, fans have already given their verdict. “Really nice signing, Staois! This kid is pure trash and filth. Terminate his contract immediately,” one furious fan wrote, pointing fingers at general manager Steve Staios.
It appears the Senators simply cannot catch a break when it comes to player conduct issues.
Rangers fans, meanwhile, are breathing a collective sigh of relief that Kaliyev is no longer their problem. “Glad he’s off our hands,” one supporter commented, while another took a shot at the forward’s skating ability: “Won’t be hard to catch; he’s the slowest skater I’ve ever seen.”
But the harshest criticism came from those who read The New York Post’s detailed investigation. “This is well documented. He has a lot of off-ice issues that have gotten in the way of a once-promising career. No way would LA have waived him,” one NHL fan wrote.
However, while fans have already given their verdict, for the Senators, the timing couldn’t be worse. The franchise has been working overtime to rebuild its reputation both on and off the ice.
Now the Senators are faced with a decision: cut ties immediately or conduct their own investigation?
One thing’s for certain: the hockey world will be watching closely to see how Ottawa handles this latest crisis. Based on fan reaction, nothing short of swift, decisive action will cut it.