Will Cuylle’s role with the New York Rangers has shifted in a way few probably expected when the 2026-27 season began. Instead of chasing a full-time spot in the top six, he’s settled into a third-line job that’s become one of the team’s steadiest pieces.
That doesn’t mean his impact has shrunk. Cuylle is still scoring, still bringing size, and still showing why the Rangers have leaned on him in bigger situations. The 24-year-old has already shown he can put the puck in the net, and even after another 20-goal season, Mike Sullivan has found more balance by keeping him on the third line.
That line has taken on a heavy workload through eight games. It’s been used in defensive-zone starts, matched against top opposition, and asked to do plenty of the hard stuff without the puck. Cuylle says that challenge has been part of the growth.
“I think it’s been kind of building,” Cuylle said of his game this season. “I feel like I’ve been working hard out there, taking a bigger role on the PK and getting some tough matchups… It’s a big step, going against top power play units, some of the most skilled guys in the league.
You gotta be really focused and dialed in. I think the coaches have done a great job helping us grow over the years.”
Sullivan has left that line alone while continuing to shuffle the rest of his combinations, and he likes what he’s seeing. The coach pointed to the chemistry and identity forming there, along with the way the line has embraced the assignment.
“I think Laba’s line is really starting to build chemistry, and they’re also building an identity for the line and what their contribution is to helping our team win,” Sullivan said. “They get a lot of D-zone starts against top top lines.
They defend hard, but there's an offensive dimension to their line, all three of those guys. I think that's an important element of having a third line that's capable of playing on both sides of the puck.“
There's more dimension to their line, and that's the conversation that we had with all three of them when we put them together is here's how we envision you guys helping us have success here and helping us win. I think the last two or three games, their game has been at another level.
It's almost like it's been an aha moment for them to know what they're capable of… I think they’re establishing an identity for themselves that they embrace and understand.”
Cuylle’s edge has shown up physically, too. At 6-foot-4, he’s been leaning into a straight-ahead, north-south style that has made him one of the Rangers’ most noticeable hitters. His 37 hits lead the team by a wide margin, with Tye Kartye next at 19.
Sullivan said the biggest conversation around Cuylle has centered on his work away from the puck, and that part of the game appears to have settled in.
“I think the biggest thing that since I've been here, my observation and our coaching staff and the discussions that we've had with Will revolve around two things. One is his valuing the play away from the puck and playing defense, and I think he has a solid grasp of that, and he's committed to playing defense,” Sullivan said.
“He's using his athleticism, whether it be his foot speed, his size, his strength, and just challenging defensemen with his puck possession game, taking pucks inside, going to the net. Will is getting inside more.
He's taking pucks from below the goal line, strong moves to the net. So those are just some specific things on offense that I think Will continues to grow and develop.”
With the Rangers leaning younger, Sullivan also sees Cuylle taking on more of a leadership presence in his fourth NHL season. Cuylle says he’s not trying to reinvent himself or step outside his own game.
“I’m just trying to be myself,” Cuylle said. “I’m not trying to be someone that I’m not.
Just play the game I know how to play, and be vocal when it’s time to be vocal. It’s not really too much, I’m just trying to be me.”
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