The trio of Will Cuylle, Filip Chytil, and Kaapo Kakko has been a significant factor in the New York Rangers’ strong start to the 2024-25 season, boasting a record of 6-1-1. Together, they have amassed 19 points and have not allowed a single 5v5 goal against in eight games. While Chytil and Kakko often receive more attention, Cuylle has been the standout performer. “There’s a maturity to his game, I think, from this year to last year,” commented Peter Laviolette on Monday.
Cuylle impressed during last season’s training camp, earning a spot on the roster, and he had a commendable rookie year, scoring 13 goals and finishing with 21 points. He led all rookies with 274 hits and is currently elevating his game even further this season. In the first eight games, Cuylle is tied for fourth in scoring on the team with seven points (two goals and five assists), not counting two goals that were disallowed after review, including one in a recent win against the Ducks.
Despite having a goal taken away, he scored another—this one counted—during the third period, which turned out to be the game winner. Cuylle’s physical style remains a key aspect of his play; he has recorded 36 hits, leading the Rangers by a wide margin and ranking fifth in the League.
Laviolette believes Cuylle’s progress is a natural result of his experience. “(Cuylle) has a year under his belt, he’s more confident, he understands the League a little bit better,” he explained, highlighting Cuylle’s hard work during the summer and his impressive conditioning at camp. At just 22, Cuylle’s growth has significantly enhanced the Rangers’ dynamic third line, where he holds a plus-10 rating, while Chytil and Kakko have plus-nine and plus-eight ratings, respectively.
Their offensive prowess is accompanied by solid defensive play, making them the Rangers’ best defensive line as well. “We all do different things really well,” Cuylle noted after the game against Anaheim, emphasizing their effective communication and teamwork.
Cuylle, Chytil, and Kakko have outscored opponents 8-0 while on the ice and boast a 55.29 percent advantage in scoring chances, according to Natural Stat Trick. They have created 23 high-danger chances compared to just 12 against (a 65.71 percent advantage), and they’ve achieved this against some of the opposing teams’ top lines.
This season, they have significantly strengthened the Rangers’ top-nine forward depth compared to last year when Chytil was sidelined for most of the regular games and Kakko faced challenges throughout his 61 appearances. “I think we’re playing pretty well right now,” Cuylle said, emphasizing the importance of treating each game as a fresh start.
Though it’s only eight games into the season, Cuylle is on track for an impressive 72 points if he maintains his current production, which would represent a remarkable 51-point increase from last season. While it’s challenging to predict his final tally, it’s clear that Cuylle will likely set new career highs this season, solidifying his role as a crucial component of both the Rangers’ third line and the roster overall.
