Grading the Rangers depth last year is a tough task, as role in the lineup is a much larger factor than the stars, who have specific expectations. The 2024 Will Cuylle report card, for example, will have to take into account not just his role in the lineup, but the fact he was a rookie and only played at 5v5. Cuylle was most certainly a pleasant surprise for the Blueshirts, and he put to bed the concerns that he was just another Ryan Gropp. That is a win on its own.
As a predominately third line player last season, Cuylle started the season in what was expected to be a tertiary scoring role with Filip Chytil and Blake Wheeler. The Filip Chytil injury blew that up, and Cuylle wound up spending most of the season with Jonny Brodzinski as his center and Kaapo Kakko on the RW (300+ TOI). He also spent significant time (200+ TOI) with both Wheeler and Nick Bonino, which certainly impacted his effectiveness.
Despite the juggling in the bottom of the lineup, Cuylle still put up a respectable 13-8-21 in 81 games. Given his centers–Brodzinski, Bonino, Alex Wennberg–weren’t exactly scoring machines or even offensively inclined players, his production was pretty solid.
This shows in Cuylle’s possession metrics, where he appears to be struggling at driving offense. I don’t believe that to be the case, and more a product of who he spent most of his ice time with. Naturally, we will know more this coming season whether the red on offense can improve with more stable linemates. Of course, that applies to the solid defensive numbers as well. Kakko in particular has a way of boosting defensive numbers for all his linemates.
It’s fair to say Cuylle met all expectations in the regular season, eclipsing 10 goals and 20 points as a rookie playing mostly with replacement level players or defensive specialists. But it was the postseason where he shined, as one-third of the best shutdown line in the playoffs with Wennberg and Kakko. The trio didn’t score much, with Cuylle notching a goal and an assist in 16 games, but boy were the effective at shutting down the opposition.
It’s too bad they weren’t used against true top competition–Mika Zibanejad was. I’m sure Peter Laviolette would re-do those matchups if he could. Lesson learned, and both wingers get a massive upgrade this season at center assuming Chytil stays healthy. Cuylle could be in for a nice season.
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