New York Rangers recall Will Cuylle and Sammy Blais, a trade coming?

Anthony Scultore Updated: Feb 5, 2023

Will Cuylle New York Rangers — Jan 27, 2023; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Will Cuylle (50) and Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) fight in the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the New York Rangers officially announced the recall of forwards Will Cuylle and Sammy Blais.

The team will host the Calgary Flames on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.

UPDATE: Will Cuylle has been recalled from @WolfPackAHL. In addition, Sammy Blais has been recalled from his conditioning assignment in Hartford.
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 5, 2023

It’s possible that one of them will be a healthy scratch for the contest, but it’s more likely that both could play. That would mean Julien Gauthier may be scratched and it’ll keep Vitali Kravtsov out of the lineup.

New York Rangers recall Cuylle and Blais

sammy blais new york rangers — Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

Cullye, 21, has recorded 21 points in 41 games for the Wolf Pack this season. In his two game stint prior to the NHL All-Star Break, he did not register a point, but drew a penalty and one his first fight.

“He fought a tough guy but did really well,” Gerard Gallant said. “Good for him. Willy came up and played two games which is pretty exciting… [Keegan] Kolesar is a tough kid and I had him in Vegas… Good for [Cuylle], he showed up.”

Sammy Blais conditioning stint is over and he didn’t waste a single minute by scoring four goals in five games with the Pack. Prior to being sent down, the 26 year-old was struggling with just 5 assists in 38 games and being scratched often.

The moves will now put the Rangers at the 23 max roster and bring them to under $1 million in available cap space. This indicates another transaction is likely coming as the team will want to accrue as much space as possible leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline on March 3.

When it comes to likely trade candidates, Vitali Kravtsov is atop the team’s trade bait list.

Kravtsov, 23, has 3 goals and 3 assists in 27 games this season. He will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer.

The Rangers are believed to be looking at acquiring a top-six right wing rental with Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko being their prime targets despite all the noise surrounding Timo Meier. That’s because the Sharks winger is not a UFA at the end of the season and has a $10 million qualifying offer the Rangers simply can’t give him.