As the New York Rangers are now just days away from the start of the regular season, most of the buzz has been around the star players and the prospects battling for the final roster spots in training camp.
However, there are several important Rangers who have gone under the radar throughout camp. While they haven’t made much noise, these players are still primed to have a big impact for New York when the puck drops for the 2024-25 season on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
3 important Rangers who could fly under radar this season
Here are three under-the-radar players on the Rangers to keep an eye on in 2024-25.
Will Cuylle
It feels like Will Cuylle really hasn’t been talked about very much in the offseason or in training camp. The 22-year-old was the biggest surprise coming out of camp this time last year, as the forward forced the Rangers to keep him on the opening-night roster with a very strong preseason.
Cuylle had 13 goals and 21 points in 81 games as a rookie last season, then added a goal and an assist in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games. What stood out was his level of physicality. Cuylle led all rookies in hits last season with 247 despite averaging only 11:07 of ice time per game. He ranked seventh among all NHL players in hits and led the Rangers in that category.
The second-year forward will try to build on an impressive rookie season. Set to begin on a line with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko, he should have no problem generating offense alongside two very skilled young players. With Kakko’s defensive game taking a big step last season, and Chytil showing his commitment to defense early in the preseason, this line could also be used in defensive situations as well. Cuylle could be in line to a take a nice step up in his second NHL season.
K’Andre Miller
K’Andre Miller is another player who seems to have quietly skated through preseason for the Rangers. Most of the focus on the blue line has surrounded the battle for the sixth and seventh defense slots. Defensemen like Victor Mancini and Connor Mackey have gotten most of the attention prior to the start of the regular season. As has Zac Jones, who appears set to assume an everyday role, replacing Erik Gustafsson on the third pair.
However, a big opportunity could be coming Miller’s way. With Ryan Lindgren set to miss a few weeks with an upper-body injury, coach Peter Laviolette is considering pairing Miller with Adam Fox until Lindgren is healthy. That tandem will be the Rangers’ top pairing in their preseason finale against the Islanders on Friday.
Miller had eight goals and 30 points last season, but in 2022-23 registered nine goals and 43 points, NHL career highs. Being partnered with an elite player such as Fox could open up the game for Miller, and allow him to generate even more offense, while remaining a solid defender in his own end.
Regardless of whether that experiment works out, Miller will play a huge role on the Rangers defense corps this season. He’s already become a shutdown defender whose two-way game could lift him into stardom this season.
Jonathan Quick
What was one of the most talked about players in last year’s preseason has barely been mentioned in this one. Jonathan Quick is set to begin his 18th season in the NHL, and will once again serve as the backup to Igor Shesterkin.
After a rough preseason in 2023, many doubted Quick would be a serviceable backup. He quickly shut down any doubts by posting an 18-6-2 record with a .911 save percentage, a 2.62 goals-against average, and two shutouts. Quick was also a huge veteran presence who really helped the team in the locker room throughout the season.
While he’s had a quiet preseason, Quick will get ample opportunity to show that he’s still a very good goalie in what may be his final season in the NHL. He’s closing in on 800 NHL games and 400 wins, milestones that he can achieve this season if he plays in 20 games and wins seven.
