Boston Bruins could strike bold offer sheet for rising rangers forward

After trading away Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, and Trent Frederic, the Boston Bruins are heading into a crucial offseason with serious holes to fill up front.

Young power forward Will Cuylle emerging as a dark horse target

While unrestricted free agents like Mitch Marner, Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Sam Bennett are expected to dominate headlines, Boston’s front office might be eyeing a different approach, one that involves targeting a restricted free agent.

Among those RFAs, few are more intriguing than New York Rangers winger Will Cuylle.

At 23, Cuylle is still early in his NHL career, but the way he plays already aligns with Boston’s DNA.

A 6-foot-4 forward who doesn’t shy away from contact, he’s the kind of gritty, physical presence the Bruins lacked after shedding multiple core pieces at the trade deadline.

Cuylle’s physical edge paired with breakout season raises eyebrows

Coming off a strong year with the Rangers, Cuylle put up 20 goals, 25 assists, and 45 points while playing all 82 games.

That alone is a solid progression for a young forward, but it’s his league-leading 301 hits that truly stand out.

He didn’t just show up. He made opponents feel him shift after shift. That kind of presence would immediately make Boston harder to play against again.

And with the Bruins needing both production and edge in their middle six, Cuylle could be a seamless fit.

Versatility makes him more than just a power forward

Cuylle has the tools to impact the game in multiple ways.

His strength down low and willingness to battle in front of the net make him a possible power-play option.

On the flip side, his commitment defensively and high motor could give the Bruins another penalty-kill asset.

He’s not a one-dimensional hitter, he’s rounding into a true two-way forward with upside.

Boston has cap space, and a unique opportunity

The Bruins have positioned themselves well cap-wise, which opens the door to more creative acquisitions.

Offer sheets are rare, but in Cuylle’s case, it could be a worthwhile gamble. He’s still young, controllable, and appears to be trending upward.

In a post-Marchand era, Boston needs new identity pieces, and Cuylle already plays like one.

This could be the swing Boston needs to reset its forward core

Cuylle’s age, style, and growth curve make him a fascinating possibility for a Bruins team in transition.

He hits, scores, and battles in the hard areas, a combination that’s becoming harder to find.

Boston has the flexibility. The need is clear. And the fit? Almost too perfect to ignore.

If the Bruins want to shake things up and get younger without sacrificing identity, a well-timed offer sheet for Will Cuylle might be the most Bruins-like move they could make.