Will Cuylle is a 6’3” left wing who is humble and yet brimming with confidence. It’s a nice combination of maturity for a 21-year-old to have and that’s why he is a player to watch as the New York Rangers open up training camp in the coming weeks.
“I’m just going to try and play my game. Play hard. Play physical. Just try to be noticed out there every shift,” Cuylle stated, while attending the 2023 Upper Deck/NHLPA Rookie Showcase. “Not trying to float around. Just trying to make an impact every shift.”
Last season in Hartford, he had 25 goals and 45 points. That’s a solid rookie season it gave the prospect something to build off. The Rangers have brought in Peter Laviolette who is different than Gerard Gallant, but both of those coaches do like big, physical players.
“It was great. I think I had a great first year. I had a lot of opportunities. Lots of penalty kills. Lots of power play,” said Cuylle. “Lots of special teams. Five on five. Everything. A lot of minutes. It was great for me to work with the coaches and development staff. We worked on things that I need to be successful. It was a good first year for sure.”
“I get asked about preseason and why do I bother covering it. Players like Cuylle need those games to prove themselves especially when they have a brand-new coaching staff. He needs to get in as many games as possible and he knows it.
“100%. That’s the time I will be able to showcase myself to the new staff so that’s really important for me and that’s what I’ll be trying to do,” Cuylle reiterated.
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The Rangers have high expectations for this season.
“The expectation for the Rangers is to win the Stanley Cup. That’s been the goal for the last couple of years. They’ve come close and last year didn’t go as planned,” Cuylle explained. “We are in win-now mode.”
Cuylle is focusing on one goal.
“My goal out of camp is to make the team. I always say if you’re here you might as well make it. I’m there and I’m trying to make the team,” Cuylle added. “I try to focus on the present and the now.”
Cuylle looks stronger than last year, and he knows what challenges lie ahead. He did play in four NHL games last season.
“I think it elevates my physicality and aggressiveness. I know I need to be more aggressive about older guys who are stronger,” Cuylle said honestly.
According to InStat, Cuylle averaged .91 hits per game. In comparison, Barclay Goodrow averaged 1.04 last season, so getting this player on the 4th line could make the Rangers harder to play against. Cuylle won 44% of his puck battles all in 17:27 average ice time. He’s a skilled shot blocker. 62% of his shots got on goal. Cuylle is an average skater with decent acceleration. He shields the pucks from defenders and really battles in the slot.
Cuylle could suffer from a numbers game if he doesn’t make the team out of camp. He should be one of the first call-ups if that happens. Let’s see how his camp and preseason go before I decide who he can supplant in the Rangers’ everyday lineup.
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