The New York Rangers got steady, reliable play from rookie winger Will Cuylle last season and he did a nice job on the team’s third line with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko missing extended time with injuries. There will likely be some changes to the third and fourth lines in 2024-25 but the team should continue to count on Cuylle in their bottom six.
Cuylle’s Play in 2023-24
The Rangers drafted Cuylle late in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft and he had 25 goals and 20 assists playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2022-23. He also got a taste of the NHL, playing four games for the Blueshirts.
Last season, Cuylle made the opening night lineup and scored his first NHL goal in the Rangers’ second game of the season. He used his speed to get in on the forecheck and never passed up the opportunity to throw hits. At 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, he used his strength to knock opponents off the puck.
Though Cuylle played with physicality and even dropped the gloves a few times, his hits were clean, and he avoided taking unnecessary penalties. He led the Rangers with 249 hits. He also played well defensively, blocking shots, backchecking, and making smart decisions with the puck. Though he did not kill penalties in 2023-24, he could contribute on the penalty kill this season.
Cuylle consistently drove to the front of the net and scored some goals on deflections last season. He did not force passes and looked to get the puck to the point or get shots on goal. When he had time and space, he showed off an impressive wrist shot and chipped in offensively while playing on the third or fourth line. He finished the season with 13 goals and eight assists in 81 regular season games.
The Rangers acquired Alexander Wennberg and Jack Roslovic in separate trades before the deadline and got Chytil back in the postseason but Cuylle remained in the lineup. He earned his spot, playing in all 16 of the team’s playoff games, finishing with one goal, one assist, and 46 hits.
The Rangers’ Options for Their Bottom Six
Though Chytil spent time as a winger last postseason, he will likely be the Rangers’ third-line center this season. Kakko played well on the third line last season and there is a good chance he will continue to play there this season.
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