The Rangers spent last season scrambling for forward depth, even leaning on Conor Sheary in the top six despite his struggles. This year looks different. Chris Drury brought in a wave of new forwards, and through the first three games, the bottom six has already started to look like a real strength - one that helped New York win its last two games.
That shift shows up most clearly on the third line, where Will Cuylle, Noah Laba, and Eeli Tolvanen have given the Rangers a blend of size, pace, and responsibility. Cuylle, who spent a lot of time on the second line last season, opened this year on the third line after the arrivals of Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand. He’s still doing what he does best: skating hard, attacking the forecheck, winning puck battles, and forcing turnovers.
He also has already made his presence felt on the scoresheet. Cuylle drove to the net and helped create a goal in a 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 1, when a pass to him deflected off a defender and in. The next night, he picked up an assist with a sharp cross-ice pass in a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
Tolvanen, signed to a one-season, $1.5 million contract, has fit in quickly. He has been active on the forecheck and steady in his own end, and he already has two goals in three games. Laba, the 23-year-old center, has also been noticeable defensively and has added an assist.
What makes that line so useful is that it can be trusted in any situation. Cuylle, Tolvanen, and Laba all bring size, speed, and strength, and they’re capable of handling matchups against opponents’ top six forwards.
They’re also all part of the penalty kill, and New York has killed off all 10 penalties it has taken so far. In general, they’ve done a good job keeping plays to the outside and limiting danger from the slot.
The fourth line has brought a different kind of value. Joe Veleno, signed to a one-season, $1.2 million contract, has taken on the center spot after posting two goals and three assists in 61 games with the Montreal Canadiens last season.
He hasn’t recorded a point in his first three games with New York, but he has been effective on the forecheck and on the penalty kill. He’s made smart, low-risk choices and helped the Rangers protect a 1-0 lead in the third period against Detroit.
Tye Kartye has also settled into the bottom six well. He had a strong run with New York last season, finishing with five goals and nine assists in 24 games, and he’s opened this season with one assist in three games. He’s playing with edge, working hard on the penalty kill, and getting to the net with an eye on deflections and rebounds.
The other winger spot has rotated between Matt Rempe and Jaroslav Chmelar. Rempe played in the Rangers’ season-opening 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sept. 29, while Chmelar skated in the last two games. Neither one is part of the penalty kill, but both have brought physicality, pressed on the forecheck, and held up well defensively through New York’s first three games.
The Rangers may not get the same offensive punch from the fourth line that they do from the third, but that group has its own clear job: bring energy, play heavy, and match up with top-six opponents in a shutdown role.
With Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck gone from last season’s offense, New York doesn’t have the same star power up front. What it does have, at least early, is more balance. Through three games, the bottom six has done the dirty work, chipped in enough offense, and given the Rangers a foundation that could matter a lot in close games all season.
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