New York Rangers Bottom-Six Forwards Deliver Strong Early-Season Impact

The New York Rangers entered the season with renewed forward depth after addressing their bottom-six needs during the offseason. The additions have paid immediate dividends, with the group contributing to the team’s strong start and helping secure victories in their first two games.

Third Line: Will Cuylle, Noah Laba, and Eeli Tolvanen

Last season, gritty winger Cuylle spent a lot of time on the Rangers’ second line, but with the addition of wingers Pavel Dorofeyev and Oliver Bjorkstrand, he was moved to their third line to start this season. He is a good skater and uses his speed and strength to get in on the forecheck, win battles for the puck, and force turnovers.

Cuylle drove to the net and helped the team score a goal as a pass to him deflected off a defender and into the net in a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Oct. 1. He also got an assist with a nice cross-ice pass in a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 2.

The Rangers signed Eeli Tolvanen to a one-season, $1.5 million contract, and he has done a nice job to begin this season. He has also been noticeable on the forecheck and provided strong defensive play, as has 23-year-old center Noah Laba. Tolvanen already has two goals in three games this season, and Laba has an assist.

Whether the Rangers are ahead or behind, their third line can be trusted, as Cuylle, Tolvanen, and Laba are all strong defensively and capable of contributing offensively. They all have size, speed, and strength, which helps them match up with opponents’ top-six forwards. All three are a part of the team’s penalty kill unit, which has killed off all 10 penalties that New York has taken thus far this season. For the most part, they have kept shots to the perimeter and not allowed many chances from the slot.

Fourth Line: Tye Kartye, Joe Veleno, and Jaroslav Chmelar/Matt Rempe

The Rangers signed defensive-minded center Joe Veleno to a one-season, $1.2 million contract this offseason. He had just two goals and three assists in 61 games with the Montreal Canadiens last season, but he was a reliable fourth-line center. Though he has no points in his first three games with New York, he has been effective on the forecheck and penalty kill. He makes smart, safe decisions and did a nice job helping the team protect a 1-0 lead in the third period of their victory against the Red Wings.

Tye Kartye did a great job with the Rangers in a bottom-six role last season and finished with five goals and nine assists in 24 games. This season, he has one assist in three games, has played with physicality, and has done a great job on the penalty kill. He is noticeable on the forecheck and drives to the net, looking to score on deflections and rebounds.

Physical winger Matt Rempe played in the Rangers’ season-opening 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sept. 29, while Jaroslav Chmelar, who also plays with physicality, played in their last two games. Neither one kills penalties, but both are able to get in on the forecheck, and they have both been solid defensively in New York’s first three games.

While the Rangers’ fourth line likely will not produce as much offensively as the third line, they are physical and capable of matching up with opponents’ top-six lines in a shutdown role.

Bottom-6 Forwards Will Be Key This Season

The Rangers lost two of their top offensive players from last season in Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, but they have more depth throughout their lineup. Through three games, their bottom-six forwards have done a great job defensively while chipping in offensively, and the hope is that they can make a difference for New York in close games throughout this season.

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