The New York Rangers have struggled to fill their first-line right wing hole this offseason. They brought in veteran Reilly Smith as a potential upgrade for the position, however, that was far from the big splash that fans were hoping to see. Fans are already speculating on who the Blueshirts could target at the trade deadline.
But Perhaps the Rangers’ best option for the role is already on the roster. The emergence of 22-year-old Will Cuylle could solve the team’s issues in the top six.
Could the Rangers play Will Cuylle on the right wing?
The Rangers enjoyed a solid rookie season out of Cuylle in 2023-24. The bruising 6-foot-3 winger posted only 21 points (13 goals and eight assists) in 81 games last season but played with an unprecedented level of physicality on the team’s third line. Cuylle ranked seventh in the NHL with 247 hits.
Cuylle spent the entire 2023-24 season playing left wing, however, switching him over to the right side is something that head coach Peter Laviolette considered last offseason (h/t The New York Post):
“It is something I’m considering,” Laviolette said of Cuylle playing on the right last year. “I’m going to wait and see how things shake out with regard to health, but I think he had a very good camp. With the opportunity of players not being in the lineup, you’re looking at the lineup and you need to fill holes and put things together. So he’s gotten an opportunity on the right and he’s looked good in practice.”
Could the Rangers move Cuylle into a top-six role?
The Rangers are set on the left side with Chris Kreider on the first line and Artemi Panarin on the second. Cuylle played well on the third line last season but if the Rangers are eager to move him into a top-six role, he could potentially play on the first or second-line right wing.
Moving up Cuylle, however, would create questions for second-line right winger Alexis Lafreniere. The Rangers enjoyed a breakout 2023-24 campaign from Lafreniere as his expanded role in the top six sparked increased production. Lafreniere posted career highs with 28 goals, 29 assists, and 57 total points. He was also a standout performer in the postseason.
Breaking up the world-class second line of Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere would be a massive risk. That line was the engine that drove the Rangers to the President’s Trophy and a deep playoff run.
However, moving Lafreniere up to the first line could open up a spot for Cuylle in the top six on the second line alongside Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. Or, the Rangers could opt to move Cuylle all the way up to the first line, adding his physicality to the ice alongside the playmaking and scoring of Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.
Ultimately, Cuylle’s playing style is perfectly suited for the bottom six. His physicality and defensive ability are just what the Blueshirts need on their third line. While they do lack those traits up on the first line, and Cuylle would be able to upgrade an area of weakness in that role, his skill set will make more of an impact in the bottom six.
