The New York Rangers have had a fantastic start to the 2026-27 season, which is giving this city some new hope following last season's debacle. Every player that is expected to perform has, and is doing so at a very high level.
One of the key components thus far has been Will Cuylle, and it could not have come at a better time. With a new contract on the horizon, No. 50 is chasing a serious bag of cash at the end of the 2026-27 season.
Grittiness and tenacity are his game, and man, is Cuylle excelling at it.
Only Ranger to reach dual milestones so far
Cuylle is the only Blueshirts player to have registered 10 or more hits and 10 or more shots on goal thus far, and that is a great sign. He has been a frequent visitor to the 300-plus hit club the last two seasons, and with a team-leading 12 already in four games, he is on pace for just under that at 252 hits. Braden Schneider and Tye Kartye have 11 and 10 hits, respectively.
Teams throwing the most hits 👀
— NHL Forum (@NHLxForum) October 5, 2026
1. #FlaPanthers – 111
2. #NYR – 108
3. #Canucks – 100
4. #TusksUp – 97
5. #LetsGoOilers – 89
6. #CarolinaCulture – 86
7. #Flames – 81
8. #LetsGoFlyers – 81
9. #NHLBruins – 78
10. #GoBolts – 61
There is a very likely chance that he will increase that pace, as he was on pace for 308 hits prior to the contest against Utah.
Cuylle is an important part of that third line, as he brings a pure offensive threat to a checking line. He can forecheck and bang bodies like the best in the NHL, but he also brings a speedy, swift aspect, getting the puck to the net in bunches.
Recipe for an extension
Cuylle fits nicely into this notion of being a younger team. At 24 years old, he could be a perfect role player for this team going forward, as there are not many other players in the farm system who brings the same kind of playstyle as him.
Currently, Cuylle is on the hook for the rest of the season at $3.9 million and will be a restricted free agent. That means that the Rangers hold the advantage in keeping him, and since he is a draft pick of the Blueshirts, they also might hold a sense of a hometown discount.
Should Cuylle decide to give the Rangers some leeway?
The growing trend of RFAs has been for teams to give them outlandish contracts to lock them up for the long term. Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the next max-length is at seven years, instead of eight, which leaves millions on the table for younger players. Cuylle could get a seven-year deal from the Rangers after this season, but depending on his eventual goal and point count, it could be another $4-5 million AAV range over that time.
That would be perfect for both parties, as the Rangers have a number of contracts due this offseason that carry just as much priority to extend. Gabe Perreault is atop that list, and he will be getting a big-time contract as well following this season. Even with a Salary Cap increase of $9.5 million next summer, it might not be enough to retain them both.
Obviously, in a toss-up between Perreault and Cuylle, the answer is obvious. But, Cuylle should still be heavily considered to re-sign over some of the other pending UFAs and RFAs. He is off to a great start this season, and the hope is that it continues as the Rangers keep on winning.
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