Rangers forward’s production increases after adding ‘maturity’ to his game
The line line of Will Cuylle, Filip Chytil, and Kaapo Kakko is a big reason why the New York Rangers are 6-1-1 to start the 2024-25 season.
They’ve produced at a significant rate with 19 points between them, and have yet to be on ice for a 5v5 goal against through eight games. While Chytil and Kakko get the majority of the attention on that line, it is Cuylle who has been the most productive player.
“There’s a maturity to his game, I think, from this year to last year,” Peter Laviolette said Monday.
Cuylle practically forced himself on to the Rangers roster in training camp last season with his impressive play, and followed it up with a solid rookie campaign, when he scored 13 goals and finished with 21 points. He led all rookies in hits with 274, and is taking his game to new heights so far this season.
In eight games, Cuylle is tied for fourth on the Rangers in scoring with seven points (two goals, five assists). That doesn’t even include two goals that were disallowed after video review, including one Saturday in a 2-1 win against the Ducks.
Despite having one taken away, Cuylle scored again — this one counted — at 11:53 of the third period. That ended up to be the game winner.
Cuylle’s physical play continues to be a hallmark of his game, too. He’s been credited with 36 hits, which leads the Rangers by 12 and is tied for fifth in the League.
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‘Natural progression’ aiding Cuylle’s improvement
While Cuylle has likely worked hard to improve his game, Laviolette believes that it was only a matter of time before he naturally took this next step.
“(Cuylle) has a year under his belt, he’s more confident, he understands the League a little bit better, he understands what it takes to be successful,” Laviolette explained. “He trained hard all summer, came into camp in great shape. I think just the natural progression, somebody at 22, they’re better than they were at 18.”
This natural progression and maturity for the 2020 second-round pick has really helped complete a dynamic third line for the Rangers. Cuylle is a plus-10 in eight games, while Chytil (six points; three goals, three assists) and Kakko (six points; one goal, five assists) are a plus-nine and plus-eight, respectively.
Not only has their offense shined, but they’ve been the best defensive line for New York as well.
“I think we all do different things really well,” Cuylle explained after the win over Anaheim. “I think we all compliment each other well. Talking a lot, going over game clips and different things, we’ve gotten to know each other more and learn from each other.”
Cuylle, Chytil and Kakko are outscoring opponents 8-0 when they’re on the ice and own a 55.29 percent advantage in scoring chances, per Natural Stat Trick. They’re on for 23 high-danger chances for, and only 12 against (65.71 percent). That’s pretty darn good. And they’re doing it against some of their opponents’ top lines.
They’ve greatly improved the Rangers depth in the top-nine forward group from a year ago, when Chytil missed all but 10 games in the regular season and Kakko struggled badly in his 61 games played.
“I think we’re playing pretty well right now,” Cuylle continued. “Every game is a new game. We just try to come out the same way, restart every game as a new game, and just try to play our game.”
Of course, it is just eight games into the season, but Cuylle is on pace to log 72 points if he keeps producing at this rate. That would be a 51 point increase from last season, which is nearly unheard of. While it’s hard to say just how many points he’ll log, it is safe to say that Cuylle should smash career-high this season as he has quickly become an integral piece to New York’s third line and to their roster as a whole.
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