As the New York Rangers continue to work their way out of the basement of the Metro Division (again), one third line youngster has been impressing as of late, leading to speculation that he could become a underrated star on the Rangers' roster. Will Cuylle is on track for his second consecutive 20-goal season, where so far in 2025-26 he's posted eight goals and as many assists for 16 points in 31 games. Last season was his first 20 plus goal campaign, in his 2nd NHL season, with the bare minimum alongside 25 assists for 45 points. Cuylle also played in all 82 games that season, and should be expected to do the same by the middle of this upcoming April when the regular season concludes just before the playoffs get underway.
Cuylle thriving with another youngster in Rangers lineup
Cuylle is currently on the Rangers' third line alongside another budding star, a 22 year old Michigander who's also got a few goals and assists under his belt in his first professional season, after he split time with the Rangers' AHL affiliate in Hartford and his collegiate team in Colorado College. Laba posted 10 goals and 16 assists for 16 points with the Tigers that season while also wearing the alternate captain's letter. That's a bit of a similarity to Cuylle, who wore the captain's letter with his junior team in 2021-22, the Windsor Spitfires, where in his final OHL season, Cuylle logged an impressive 43 goals and 37 assists for 80 points in 59 regular season games, while adding a further 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points in 25 playoff games as the Spits fell in seven games to the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Cuylle was originally a second round draft choice by the Rangers back in 2020, and had his first NHL season in 2022-23, where he'd play in just four contests, spending the majority with Hartford (25 goals and 20 assists for 45 points in 69 games) Cuylle's first season as a pro saw him get 13 goals and eight assists while appearing in all but one regular season game, and as mentioned earlier, he'd follow it up with his first 20 plus goal campaign.
Could Cuylle fill void Rangers still haven't filled?
And Cuylle might just be the Ranger who is in the best position to fill one of the most significant gaps in the lineup after the summer departure of longtime right wing Chris Kreider to Anaheim, who's having his own success out where Disneyland resides. Not to mention that Cuylle is also a close range sharpshooter, where 14 of his 20 goals came from in close to the opposing net. That's a kind of skill that veteran superstars have, not necessarily young sophomores like Cuylle. The fact he's doing such things this early in his career is a very promising sign of what may come.
Meanwhile, Cuylle's linemate in Laba has his own strengths- literally. Laba is a physically punishing rookie who's definitely not afraid to go in there and dig for a loose puck along the boards, kind of like another Rangers enforcer, Matt Rempe. Thing is, Laba can put pucks in the net alongside being physical, and that's another key type of player you'd want on your team. Maybe the hiring of Mike Sullivan was just what the Rangers needed. There's still plenty of time left to get this season turned around. New York could be a real dark horse playoff candidate come April.