It’s been a tough preseason for the Rangers, but Will Cuylle’s play has been a bright spot and the youngster has been rewarded with a roster spot.
“He’s a big presence out there, so he did a lot of things and he did them consistently through camp.” Head coach Peter Laviolette announced following Saturday’s practice. He earned himself this opportunity.”
Cuylle, 21, definitely made an impression during camp and the preseason as Laviolette and his staff chose him over some of the team’s veterans. The Rangers got their roster to 22 players on Friday after assigning Brennan Othmann to AHL Hartford and waiving Jonny Brodzinski and Ben Harpur.
The Toronto native recorded three points (two goals, one assist) playing alongside regulars during the six-game preseason. Not bad from the Rangers’ 2020 second-round pick.
“It was a long camp and long couple of weeks with lots of skating, but it feels good.I accomplished my goal to make the team, so I’m happy,” Cuylle said. “I knew I had a shot. I knew I had to come here and play hard and play my game, and I think I did that. I think I showed what I can do. It was an opportunity to make a first impression with the new coaching staff, so that was a focus for me.”
Under the previous regime, Cuylle made just four appearances — all coming last season — where he had less than 30 minutes total on the ice, and being minus-two in those games. Now under Laviolette and his staff, Cuylle is getting his chance to play.
But despite being on the roster when the season starts Oct. 12 against the Buffalo Sabres, Cuylle knows he has to continue to work and improve if he wants to stay.
“The hard work is just starting,” he said. “I’ve got to elevate my game more and keep getting better every day and just try to learn from other guys in here. Obviously, it’s a pretty veteran team. I just have to learn as much as I can and put my work boots on every day and try to show up and be the best I can be.”
