The New York Rangers' struggles have seen the organization drop in the standings. Almost entirely out of the playoff race, the Rangers are looking to the future. When it comes to players, the Rangers should be looking to pick up; one may have presented itself to the Blueshirts via the waiver wire. Arthur Kaliyev has been placed on waivers by the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers might have a shot at claiming the young forward, who is becoming a reclamation project.
Yes, Kaliyev is, at this point, a reclamation project, but there is undeniable talent in the 33rd overall pick of the 2019 NHL entry draft. Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Kaliyev has recently struggled to break into the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings. In his 188-game career, Kaliyev has recorded 35 goals and 36 assists for 71 points. That's not special, but this is his fourth year in the NHL, and he's only played more than 60 games once.
A constant run of games for Kaliyev could get him into a rhythm and show the talent level that made him a projected first-round pick. He fell a long way out of round one in that draft to the Kings, and the Rangers could now add the 23-year-old for free, as Los Angeles has given all 31 other teams the chance to nab him before they can assign him to the AHL.
Since the Rangers have been imploding recently, they're high in the waivers pecking order. Only Chicago, Nashville, San Jose and Buffalo have claiming rights before the Rangers. Chris Drury could end up with another young winger to replace Kaapo Kakko, who was traded to the Seattle Kraken for Will Borgen and a draft pick. It's not a certainty, but it could work well for the Rangers, given how everything else is falling apart.
Kaliyev makes just $825,000 against the cap for the remainder of the season, so there's no big money cost, and the Rangers can let him go if it doesn't work out. If it does, he'll be an RFA on expiry, meaning he could be re-signed because of his team control. He'll have arbitration rights, and the Rangers might find themselves debating his value, but that ensures a contract, at least.
Kaliyev's shot on the Rangers powerplay would be a weapon that could spark the Blueshirts into life. As a right-winger, he could be a fit for the Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider line. He will not be worse than the current rotation that has been put on that trio. His youth and determination to make it in the big leagues might make him worth the claim. There's no risk, so we'll see where this goes.