2024-2025 Will Cuylle report card

One of the few bright spots on the team, our Will Cuylle report card will have a more positive feel to it. Cuylle had a breakout year, his second season in the NHL, putting up a great 20-25-45 and playing all three strengths. He started the season as part of the great third line with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko, completely dominating the opposition. But as we know, that line was broken up and while he didn’t necessarily struggle, he certainly cooled off after all the drama and tinkering.

Cuylle’s 3-5-8 in the first nine games and 9-11-20 in the first two months of the year turned heads. His blue collar play reminiscent of Ryan Callahan made him a fan favorite almost instantly. But like every other Ranger, Cuylle could not find a rhythm once Winter hit, going on a 13 game scoreless streak from December 22 through January 18. Cuylle didn’t have any other large gaps in scoring, but he had a bunch of 3-4 game stretches without points.

What could be a cause for concern is how much Cuylle’s inflated on-ice SH% (11.26% last year, compared to 7.18% the year before) impacted his stat lines. Cuylle GF/60 outstripped his xGF/60 by a country mile at 5v5, which is also evident in his GAR vs. xGAR numbers, which weight goals more. Adding to this are his microstats, which are pretty brutal except for his ability to create rebounds and deflections.

At just 23 years old, this something to watch for now. Given his play style, I can’t see him being an empty calorie scorer and am willing to chalk this up to whatever the team was at this point. Perhaps a steadier and more consistent role and linemates will help, as Cuylle was bounced around the lineup and played 200+ minutes with 8 players, including two that would be traded by January (Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko) and a struggling Mika Zibanejad.

Many have Cuylle penciled in as a future alternate captain, which is fine. He’s expected to step into a top-six winger role this year, so we will see how much that play without the puck improves with this consistency and with Mike Sullivan at the helm. Cuylle feels like a long term fit with the Rangers, as long as some of these underlying numbers improve with age and experience.

2024-2025 Will Cuylle report card grade: B