Peter Laviolette takes a cheap shot at Arthur Kaliyev while explaining why he's being benched

That isn't a glowing endorsement by Head Coach Peter Laviolette, as Kaliyev, hasn't found himself in the lineup since January 28th.

Kaliyev has put up underwhelming numbers during his short stint with the Rangers as a waiver claim.

In 10 games this season, he's only scored 3 points (2 G, 1 A) on a team that could use an impact player.

Nothing of what Kaliyev's done has stood out as that kind of player with the team. Instead, he's been removed from the lineup in favor of Jonny Brodzinski, who has also been a bit of a disappointment.

He's only played 20 games this season, and has served as a healthy scratch as well scoring only 6 points( 3 G, 3 A).

With Laviolette's latest comments, will it be a longer stretch for Kaliyev to sit than he did in Los Angeles?

Or is this another case of a Head Coach mistakenly placing his trust in a forward like Brodzinski whose been unable to crack the lineup for some time?

The winds seem to favor veterans, as once again Laviolette has given up on a depth forward who hasn't gotten ample time to build chemistry with the rest of the lineup.

While the Rangers are aware he wasn't brought in to score goals like Artemi Panarin, he still has plenty to offer the team.

The former Januar 6th waiver claim will have to fight his way off of the bench and onto the ice, this time in New York instead of Los Angeles.

With Laviolette's recent statements, is the relationship doomed from the start?