Whether or not a rookie will be on the Rangers’ opening-night roster is yet to be seen, but Will Cuylle and Brennan Othmann are being given every chance to make it happen.
The Rangers’ top two prospects have both played in at least two of the club’s three preseason games thus far. Though it’s not so much about them being in the lineup, but the way they have been deployed.
Cuylle, in particular, has clearly made an impression on head coach Peter Laviolette.
“He can skate, he can hit,” Laviolette said of the 21-year-old wing. “Last year, I think he proved he can fight once in a while. He has good hockey sense and good hands to be able to score goals, as well. He’s going to get more games. I hope he continues to push.”
Since Othmann was sidelined with a minor upper-body injury, Cuylle got the first jab at an exhibition game opportunity in Boston. He skated on the left wing of the top line alongside Filip Chytil and Alexis Lafreniere, as well as on the first power-play unit.
Othmann drew into the lineup against the Islanders and slotted onto the left wing of the first unit with Vincent Trocheck and Kaapo Kakko. The 20-year-old showed some bite, recording a massive hit on Sebastian Aho that ignited a scrum in front of the Islanders’ net.
Both skaters competed in Thursday night’s loss to the Devils. Cuylle got a look on the power play and a brief opportunity on the penalty kill, while Othmann also got some time with the man-advantage before he scored with 34.2 seconds left in regulation.
Cuylle made his NHL debut last season and ended up sticking around for four games. He also scored 25 goals and dished 20 assists for 45 points in 69 games for the Hartford Wolf Pack, marking his most productive AHL season.
“It’s great that I’m getting lots of opportunities to show what I can do and show that I’m more than a one-dimensional kind of player,” Cuylle said. “I think it’s great, lots of opportunity. I just got to show what I can do with it.”
The Rangers’ fourth preseason game against the Islanders at UBS Arena on Friday night was postponed because of flooding and the state of emergency declared by New York State.
The game will be made up Saturday night on Long Island at 7 p.m.
The Rangers put Alex Belzile, Anton Blidh, Turner Elson, Ty Emberson, Connor Mackey and Riley Nash on waivers on Friday. Additionally, Nikolas Brouillard, Karl Henriksson, Ryder Korczak, and Bobby Trivigno were assigned to AHL Hartford. Blake Hillman was released from his professional tryout offer and will report to Hartford’s training camp. Adam Clendening also has been released from his PTO.
