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Grading the Rangers’ 2020 NHL Draft Class

By Will Wright

SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: With the first pick of the 2020 NHL Draft, Alexis Lafreniere from Rimouski of the QMJHL is selected by the New York Rangers at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: With the first pick of the 2020 NHL Draft, Alexis Lafreniere from Rimouski of the QMJHL is selected by the New York Rangers at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Forward Will Cuylle #13 of the Windsor Spitfires (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images) /

Round 2, Pick #60: William Cuylle, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Let’s start with the departure of Lias Andersson, because that is the real big news here. Look, I was pretty annoyed when the Rangers took Lias Andersson at seventh overall. As soon as I saw we had acquired that pick in the Stepan trade, I compiled a shortlist of players the Rangers would have realistically been able to pick.

The five names I had were: Elias Pettersson, Gabe Vilardi, Casey Mittelstadt, Martin Nečas, and Nick Suzuki. I would have been happy with any of those five players, but I am not going to lie, Casey Mittelstadt was my first choice. So I guess the Rangers wouldn’t have actually ended up much better off with me at the helm anyway.

I eventually bought into Andersson, as he played well in Sweden, and I was actually at MSG for his first goal as a Ranger in his NHL debut. But ultimately, I think the blame should be shared by both sides, and I hope Andersson has a good career. His selection was a significant miss for the Rangers’ scouting staff though, and one I hope they have learned from. Let’s move on to Cuylle though.

Will Cuylle did not make my final draft board, mainly because he failed to take a step forward after a promising rookie season in the OHL. He does have some great tools to work with though. He has an excellent shot, is not a bad skater and plays a very heavy game that translates well to a bottom-six role. His hands are well above average as well.

The only things I really question are his hockey IQ and playmaking ability. I worry that he isn’t enough of a playmaker to drive play at lower levels, which makes me very skeptical of his NHL projection. If Cuylle was taken in the fourth or fifth round, I would have been happy with the pick, but second round is too high for me. I do think he has a chance to play, but he needs to take a very big step forward this coming season.

Grade: C-

Will Wright Selection: Zion Nybeck, RW, HV71 (SHL)

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