Hockey fans in New York woke up today with their jaws on the floor. As the summer heat rolls in, so too do the trade winds—and this one has the potential to shake Madison Square Garden to its very core. The New York Rangers may be preparing to part ways with one of their most promising restricted free agents, a move that no one truly saw coming. The buzz is deafening. And it’s totally because of money, ego, and a sense that something in the room isn’t quite right.
Sources close to the team have confirmed the Rangers front office is locked in contract negotiations with a breakout RFA forward whose name they’re desperately trying to keep quiet—for now. But we’re hearing it’s likely not who fans expect. It’s not just a depth piece. It’s someone who helped power their offense late in the season, a player fans were hoping would be locked up long-term.
The issue? A projected contract that’s ballooning past what the Rangers had budgeted. With other big deals looming—K’Andre Miller, Braden Schneider, and even Igor Shesterkin looking for term—the Rangers are in a salary crunch. And this particular RFA is reportedly asking for north of $5.5 million per year, a number that shocked even hardened contract watchers around the league.
Insiders believe it’s Will Cuylle, the hard-nosed winger who broke out in 2024-25 with a career-best season. The 23-year-old finally found chemistry alongside the Rangers’ top six and brought a combination of speed, grit, and finishing touch that fans hadn’t seen in years. He became a fan favorite overnight. And now, he may be on his way out.
One Eastern Conference executive said this week: “Teams are calling. They know the Rangers have a cap problem, and they’re circling. This kid is going to get paid, whether it’s in New York or not.”
So where does that leave the Rangers? Reports say they’re exploring trade options while also keeping the door open for a bridge deal. But that might not be enough to keep the player happy. Apparently, the forward in question doesn’t just want money—he wants commitment. He wants to know he’s part of the core moving forward, not a bargaining chip in a messy cap squeeze.
The most shocking element of this saga is that the Rangers may already be fielding serious offers, including one Western Conference team willing to offer a first-round pick and a roster player. That would be a steep price for any club to pay—but this forward’s rise has been meteoric, and several GMs view him as a future star.
This situation is developing quickly, and it’s one that Rangers fans should watch closely. If the team can’t find common ground with their emerging RFA, they might lose more than just a promising player—they might send the wrong message about their future.
A decision is expected before the draft. One path leads to a long-term extension and a future wearing blue. The other leads to a trade headline no Rangers fan wants to read.
Keep your eyes locked. This one’s going to explode. And when it does, the Rangers’ entire offseason might just be flipped upside down.
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