What should each of the Penguins - including the head coach Mike Sullivan and GM Kyle Dubas - resolve to strive for in 2025?

On Sunday, the Los Angeles Kings placed struggling young forward Arthur Kaliyev on waivers.

Kaliyev, 23, had struggled to find a regular role in the Kings' lineup over parts of four seasons. He was injured to start the season, returned to L.A. briefly, and just recently came off of an AHL conditioning stint.

Kaliyev is only on the books for this season at $825,000 after signing a one-year deal with the Kings in restricted free agency this summer. He is a buy-low, high-upside option for many teams who may be interested in giving the forward a change of scenery and a new chance to thrive in the NHL.

It's likely that several teams will be interested in his services. And the Pittsburgh Penguins should be one of them.

Penguins GM and POHO Kyle Duba should be jumping at the chance to take a flier on Kaliyev, who has put up 35 goals and 71 points in 188 games with the Kings. He has a wicked shot, a defensive conscience, and an ability to be deployed up and down the lineup, making him an attractive option because of his age and upside.

Although Kaliyev's skating leaves a little bit to be desired, the other aspects of his game would be a good fit for the Penguins' bottom-six. He excels at burying second-chance opportunities and plays well in the danger areas:

Dubas has taken chances on guys like this before. The first was former first-round pick Cody Glass, who he acquired from Nashville over the summer, and the second was forward Philip Tomasino - also a former first-round pick - who he traded for on Nov. 25, 2024.

Both players have done some good things for the Penguins, and Dubas had to give up little to get them. They, like Kaliyev - who was a second-round pick (33rd overall) of the Kings in 2019 - are also age 25 or younger, and youth is something that the Penguins are trying to inject more of into their lineup.

It would also make sense for Dubas to submit a claim for Kaliyev because Tomasino was just injured during Friday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers, leaving the Penguins short a forward who may be able to provide a similar kind of spark to their middle-six.

Since Kaliyev was placed on waivers Sunday, teams have 48 hours to submit a claim for him. If multiple teams submit claims, the team with the lowest point total in the standings who submitted a claim will also win his services.

Therefore, Kaliyev isn't likely to make his way to Pittsburgh. But, still - at the end of the day - this is definitely a forward worth trying for.

Penguins Need To Take A Chance On Kaliyev