He has no leverage. They couldn’t move him for a 4th round pick at the draft (the reported price). So if he holds out it’s a ‘so what’ for the Kings because he holds little value.
His only smart play is to sign , play well and get his value up. Maybe along the way they mend some fences.
If the team struggles to score goals, then he has more value as a hold out than under contract. So his leverage has a better chance of increasing by not accepting his QO.
The team was 17th in the league at goals for, with 254. Next season, Kaliyev is a more proven goal scorer than Laferriere, Thomas, Turcotte, and Fagemo.
If he has no trade value, is he better off waiting to take a spot from that group, or surrender his restricted free agency to compete for a spot in camp?
Given the new coach and the goals that departed the roster in the offseason, I don’t see camp as an opportunity for a player in Kaliyev’s position.
If Kaliyev believes in himself more than management does, why sell yourself short? If he was a JAD type player, I’d agree with you. But his pedigree and track record suggests there is more there than he’s been allowed to show.