Stan Fischler On Rangers Cup Chances

Ever try shaking hands with a porcupine?

Of course not; but a reasonable facsimile would be trying to bodycheck Rangers left wing Will Cuylle.

Then again, maybe the porcupine would be easier.

This much is certain, the Blueshirts Human Energy Bar is Peter Laviolette's surprise rookie for the pure and simple reason that he never was supposed to make the big club this season.

The Hockey News Yearbook had left wing Brennan Othmann listed number one among the Rangers Top Ten Prospects.

Cuylle was 'way down in fifth place.

As it happened, the brass decided that Othmann would benefit from a few more months checking out Beautiful Downtown Hartford.

Cuylle was given an audition and handsomely passed muster. Just to be sure that boss Chris Drury knew what he was doing, I double checked Steve Zipay's THN scouting report on Willing Will:

"He wowed with his performance as an AHL rookie," wrote Zipay. "It was enough to earn an NHL call. Cuylle needs no time to find the twine."

After 70 games, Will has been a more-than-modest twine-buster with 12-8-20 and a plus-four. Or as one scout reports:

"He plays hard, throws his body around and chips in just enough offense. Watch him tonight (against Philly) and see how he goes after loose pucks. Offensively, he has soft hands around the net."

Bottom Line: Cuylle won't make the Calder Trophy grade but he has made the Big Club.

Ready, Will-ing and rather able at that!

Where There's a Will, There's a Way; On The Rangers, It's Will Cuylle