Will Cuylle, in his second NHL season, produced a 20-25-45 line while playing all three strengths and showing physical, blue-collar play. He excelled early as part of a dominant third line with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko before that line was broken up. Cuylle started with 3-5-8 in nine games and 9-11-20 in two months, then cooled off and endured a 13-game scoreless stretch from December 22 to January 18, plus several shorter droughts. His on-ice shooting percentage rose to 11.26% from 7.18% the prior year, and GF/60 exceeded xGF/60 substantially. Microstats outside rebounds and deflections were weak. Team instability and frequent linemate changes may have contributed to inconsistency, and at 23 years old he projects to a top-six winger with leadership potential.
Cuylle had a breakout year, his second season in the NHL, putting up a great 20-25-45 and playing all three strengths. He started the season as part of the great third line with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko, completely dominating the opposition. But as we know, that line was broken up and while he didn't necessarily struggle, he certainly cooled off after all the drama and tinkering.
Cuylle's 3-5-8 in the first nine games and 9-11-20 in the first two months of the year turned heads. His blue collar play reminiscent of Ryan Callahan made him a fan favorite almost instantly. But like every other Ranger, Cuylle could not find a rhythm once Winter hit, going on a 13 game scoreless streak from December 22 through January 18. Cuylle didn't have any other large gaps in scoring, but he had a bunch of 3-4 game stretches without points.
What could be a cause for concern is how much Cuylle's inflated on-ice SH% (11.26% last year, compared to 7.18% the year before) impacted his stat lines. Cuylle GF/60 outstripped his xGF/60 by a country mile at 5v5, which is also evident in his GAR vs. xGAR numbers, which weight goals more. Adding to this are his microstats, which are pretty brutal except for his ability to create rebounds and deflections.
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