The New York Rangers have received extraordinary play from third-line winger Will Cuylle, who has surpassed all expectations this season.
Rookie left winger Will Cuylle cemented his spot on the New York Rangers roster with his brilliant play and work ethic through training camp.
The 2020 second-round selection (No. 60) made the most of his minutes and willed his way into a roster spot despite most thinking he was destined to start the season in the American Hockey League with the Hartford Wolf Pack.
The Blueshirts’ roster, which was one of the youngest groups in the league just two seasons ago, is now made up primarily of elder statesmen.
Offseason signings of Blake Wheeler, Tyler Pitlick, Erik Gustafsson, and recently waived Nick Bonino only increased the age of a core comprised of high-level players entering their 30s.
With a team looking for younger, cost-controlled players to perform, Cuylle has been a revelation. At six-foot-three and weighing 210 pounds, the Toronto native brings size and speed to the ice every night.
He leads all NHL rookies in hits with 128, leaving his mark nightly with his physical prowess. Some may say a high volume of hits means a player is looking to lay the body every shift, but not Cuylle.
He doesn’t chase hits. Instead, he uses his physical play in the right situations, often wreaking chaos on the opposition while on the forecheck.
Thus far, the 21-year-old has eight goals and six assists (21 points) in 49 games played, and his contributions in all three zones have vastly outperformed the $828,333 cap hit he carries.
One of the biggest surprises with Cuylle has been how well-rounded his game is.
At such a young age, Cuylle’s maturity with and without the puck is constantly on display. His hockey IQ has made him one of the most consistent performers in the Rangers bottom six.
With a bottom six that has struggled to be effective at times this season, Cuylle stands out. His style of play perfectly contrasts the skill and finesse the top six plays with.
When the Rangers traded Lias Andersson to the Los Angeles Kings for a second-round selection in the 2020 draft, the trade was scoffed at. Sure, the return at the time for Andersson was more than expected, but the pain of not seeing the seventh-overall selection pan out was all people discussed.
Fast forward to the 2023-24 season, and that second-round pick used to select Cuylle is now one of the Rangers' most consistent performers. He is the modern-day grinder, who is hard to play against but can also skate and produce.
Gone are the days of the old NHL tough guys. Today, each NHL team needs four lines that can skate. And while toughness still has its place in the game, you cannot sacrifice a lineup spot for a player who cannot contribute in both zones.
Cuylle is the prototypical modern-day tough guy. We have seen his speed and skill on display. He has a tremendous shot with a quick release, one that the Rangers hope they see more of as his career unfolds.
There is no hesitation when driving the net, exemplified by his deflection goal against the Anaheim Ducks, which essentially saved the Rangers' West Coast road trip. His marker tied the game at two, leading to the eventual surge and a 5-2 victory.
Despite his skills and talent, Cuylle has proven he won’t shy away from a fight or hit, making him the ideal role player.
In fact, as the Rangers head toward the deadline with a mixed bag of results last month, it would be wise to fill the oyster with players that fit the Cuylle mold for the bottom six.
This is just the first full NHL season for the Canadian forward, but his impact has already been felt.
From a slim chance of making the team to a crucial part of it, Cuylle’s 2023-24 season has been remarkable.
And through all the inconsistencies that have plagued the Rangers game of late, there has been one constant; Cuylle finishing his checks and giving 100 percent every night.