VANCOUVER, British Columbia − No one would have blamed Will Cuylle for questioning the official review that robbed him of his second career NHL goal.
It was determined that the Rangers’ young forward kicked the puck into the Edmonton Oilers’ net during Thursday’s 3-0 win, even though we’ve seen much more deliberate kicking motions permitted on previous goals.
So, did he get an explanation as to why the league felt this particular play rose to the level of reversal?
“I didn’t ask,” Cuylle said with a not-so-subtle grin. “I don’t want to make any comments to the ref.”
The rookie is wise enough to save those inquiries until he’s earned some veteran clout. After all, there’s no sense in burning a bridge over a call that’s made, not by the officials on the ice, but by the NHL’s Situation Room in his hometown of Toronto.
But while Cuylle is treading lightly around referees, the confidence to assert himself in other areas is growing quickly.
Just a few weeks after bulldozing his way onto the roster with a standout training camp, the 21-year-old says he’s feeling at home.
“I’m definitely more comfortable,” he said following Friday’s practice at Rogers Arena. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of the guys and I feel like a part of the team, which is obviously really huge and makes it a lot easier to play out there, knowing the guys have your back. And on the ice, every game I feel more comfortable with timing and speed.”
New system: Rangers use two forechecking looks to shore up defense
That’s allowing Cuylle to play more freely.
He can tell he’s making progress because he senses his instincts taking over, as opposed to playing passive to avoid mistakes.
“I’m not scared to make a play,” he said. “It’s hard to explain, but it just helps so much.”
Upon further reflection, the power winger came up with this example.
“I’m holding onto the puck a little longer, maybe trying to beat a guy wide or trying to beat a guy to the middle,” he said. “Whereas, in the past, I would have just chipped it in and chased it. Obviously, there’s a time and place for that, but I’m noticing my confidence in little ways like that.”
Cuylle also feels he has a good grasp of Peter Laviolette’s system, noting, “I’m super comfortable with it now.”
The head coach sees it the same way.
“There haven’t been these ‘Uh oh’ type moments with Will,” Laviolette said last week. “He’s done a really great job of playing defense and using his size and power and physicality and speed.”
Cuylle has only been on for one goal against across 93:19 time on ice this season while registering a team-high 19 hits, trends he knows must continue to solidify his spot as a lineup regular.
“I think I’ve shown that I can be pretty reliable in the D zone,” he said. “I’ve been going out for D-zone draws in certain situations against teams’ top lines. That shows trust in me, so I’m going to keep trying to show that I can be responsible in my own end.”
That defensive focus may be holding Cuylle back a bit offensively, but he’s hopeful those results will improve in time.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder scored his first career NHL goal in the Oct. 14 loss to Columbus and nearly got a second Thursday in Edmonton, but he knows that six shots on goal through seven games isn’t nearly enough for a player who led AHL Hartford with 25 goals last season. His heavy left-handed wrister is one of the tools the Rangers’ coveted when they selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft, with Laviolette recently promoting Cuylle to the second power-play unit to give him a better chance to use it.
“I have a really good shot,” he said. “Obviously, I want to get more shots and get more looks at the net. That hasn’t been exactly where I want it to be, so that’s another thing I’m trying to work on. I’m just trying to funnel more pucks to the net.”
Much of the same can be said for his entire line, which also features veterans Vincent Trocheck and Blake Wheeler. Cuylle noted that those two, in particular, have spent a lot of time talking with him and helping him feel welcome.
They’ve yet to produce a goal, although they came close on a few occasions against the Oilers. Wheeler hit a post on one attempt, while many would argue that Cuylle’s third-period tally should have been upheld.
Of course, the rookie isn’t going to complain. He’s soaking in life as an NHLer and putting in extra work to make sure he sticks.
He was among a few players who stayed on the ice for close to 30 minutes after Friday’s practice ended, which has become a habit.
Now is not the time for complacency.
“There’s always stuff to work on,” he said with a smile. “It’s still early.”
NY Rangers (5-2) projected lineup: Game 8 at Vancouver Canucks (4-2)
When: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena in Vancouver
TV/Radio: MSG Network/98.7 FM
Forwards
Top line ⊳ Chris Kreider (LW) ⋄ Mika Zibanejad (C) ⋄ Kaapo Kakko (RW)
Second line ⊳ Artemi Panarin (LW) ⋄ Filip Chytil (C) ⋄ Alexis Lafrenière (RW)
Third line ⊳ Will Cuylle (LW) ⋄ Vincent Trocheck (C) ⋄ Blake Wheeler (RW)
Fourth line ⊳ Barclay Goodrow (LW) ⋄ Nick Bonino (C) ⋄ Jimmy Vesey (RW)
Defensemen
Top pair ⊳ Ryan Lindgren (L) ⋄ Adam Fox (R)
Second pair ⊳ K’Andre Miller (L) ⋄ Jacob Trouba (R)
Third pair ⊳ Erik Gustafsson (L) ⋄ Braden Schneider (R)
Goalies
Starter ⊳ Igor Shesterkin
Backup ⊳ Jonathan Quick
Healthy scratches: D Zac Jones and F Tyler Pitlick
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY Rangers lineup: Will Cuylle adjusting quickly to life in the NHL
