If utilized in the right way, Will Cuylle could become a scoring machine for the Rangers.
Will Cuylle’s two-goal performance in the New York Rangers’ 4-3 over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night was no coincidence.
To start the season, Cuylle played on a line alongside Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko where he thrived offensively.
Cuylle, a player who only scored 13 goals last year, suddenly emerged as one of the team’s top offensive threats.
The 23-year-old’s 6’3’’ frame on top of his impressive speed and powerful shot was on full display to start the season.
It was clear when watching Cuylle that his confidence was continuing to grow from an offensive standpoint.
With the Rangers struggling as a group though, Cuylle’s role eventually changed with his scoring numbers going down.
Cuylle was put in more of a shutdown defensive role as he was going up against the opposition’s top lines and playing alongside players who are more defensively minded.
Not to say Cuylle wasn’t performing well in this new position, but it felt as if the Rangers were not utilizing the young forward’s full potential.
There was a point this season when Cuylle didn't score a goal over the span of 15 games.
After weeks of inconsistent offensive play, Peter Laviolette decided to place Cuylle on the second line with Alexis Lafrenière and Vincent Trocheck.
That move helped Cuylle come alive and score two goals while generating multiple high-quality scoring chances on Saturday night.
“I think it’s really good,” Laviolette said via Mollie Walker of The New York Post about the increased role Cuylle has seen this season. “He’s stepping up like that inside of a game that we need to win after a game like [Friday night against the Penguins], I thought it was real important.”
The sky’s the limit for what Cuylle can accomplish, but the Rangers have to utilize him in the right way and give him a chance to transform into a legitimate scoring threat.
