Short term extension is great for the Rangers and Will Cuylle

Over the past few weeks, New York Rangers fans have been begging for President and General Manager Chris Drury to keep forward Will Cuylle.

That wish was granted. During the first few hours of free agency on Tuesday, the Rangers agreed to terms with forward Will Cuylle on a two-year contract extension. Cuylle served as a light in the Blueshirts' most recent season en route to them missing the playoffs the very year after winning the Presidents' Trophy; he established career-highs in goals (20), assists (25) and points (45) in 82 games played during the 2024-25 season.

Cuylle was also named the winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, chosen by the fans as the Rangers player who “goes above and beyond the call of duty.”

At 23-years-old, Cuylle agreed to a two-year deal worth $3.9 million per season in order to stay at Madison Square Garden,

Here's why this move benefitted both Cuylle and the New York Rangers.

Great for the Rangers

The reason this deal is so good for the Rangers is simple; Cuylle is a good player who shows promise in the top six.

Cuylle brought a physical edge that the Rangers value and became one of the team’s penalty killers this season. Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, his 550 hits rank third among all NHL skaters and first among the Blueshirts.

So, while keeping Cuylle is good for the Rangers because of his skill, the deal they worked out for him is also good for their cap space.

If the Rangers had more cap space, a long-term deal for Cuylle would have made a lot of sense. Instead, it's a cost-effective bridge deal that avoids the risk of an offer sheet while also keeping things in check.

Great for Cuylle

Would Cuylle have liked to see more money? Sure. But let's also remember his age.

Cuylle was originally selected by the Rangers in the second round, 60th overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft. While he did play in four games throughout the 2022-23 season, he was still seeing a rookie award the very next year. In 2023-24 he won the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award, given to the top rookie from training camp.

He's also only been in the league for two full seasons. So, a change in franchise isn't a jump that would necessarily be good for his development. This deal from Drury will allow him to continue his growth on and off the ice while also letting him continue to prove he's worth more.

Bottom line — Cuylle staying a Blueshirt is great for the Rangers' franchise, the fans and himself. His future shines bright as a New York Ranger, and the sky is the limit for the left-handed phenom.