Rangers' forward production exceeds expectations after maturing this season

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Joshua Deeds
October 28, 2024 (7:00 PM)

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The New York Ranger's 3rd line of Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko, and Will Cuylle has been one of the factors driving the team's offense this season.

They're a reason the team has had a great start with a 6-1-1 record in the regular season. They're a defensively sound unit, without a 5v5 goal against this year, while producing points between the three forwards.

A significant amount of production and reliable defense between the three is notable. One of these notable forwards who could be primed for a breakout this season is Will Cuylle who has caught the eye of head coach Peter Laviolette.

«There's a maturity to his game, I think, from this year to last year,» Peter Laviolette said Monday.

Cuylle fought his way onto the Rangers roster last season after training camp and produced 21 points( 13 G, 8 A) and a whopping 274 hits leading all rookies last season.

His sophomore season in the NHL has been nothing short of great, as he's scored 7 points( 2 G, 5 A), 18 shots, 4 blocks, and 13:98 TOI in 8 games.

He's set a new bar for production this season and can build upon it with the linemates he's built chemistry with in Kaapo Kakko, and Filip Chytil.

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.

Cuylle has been an offensive wunderkind for his line and leads the Rangers in physicality with 36 hits. 12 more than the rest of his teammates.

«(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.»

Cuylle's natural progression has led to the Ranger's third line being another unit of players, the team can call upon to be an offensive threat, as the 2020 2nd-round pick has proven to be a dynamic piece of the line.

«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.

This line is currently one of the Ranger's best, compromised of offensive threats and two-way play. A coach's dream.

With Chytil healthy the Rangers top-nine group is one of the best in the league and could be the key with Cuylle to long-term success and hopefully a Stanley Cup.