Something we have been pondering since the Rangers were eliminated by the New Jersey Devils was who were the Blueshirts going to take on the draft. They took the United States Development Programs’ single-season points record holder and all-time assist record holder Gabriel Perreault. This was a great selection for the Blueshirts as they ended the slide of a projected top-ten selection at 23rd overall.
At 5’1, 165, there’s a lot of growing that needs to be done before Perreault will be able to slot onto the NHL roster. As a stronger player in the draft, this value at 23 is beyond excellent. He’s got the upside to be a big-time contributor in the league for a long time when he is eventually NHL-ready. As a fan, this is a pick that I am excited for because he has the ability to break the Rangers roster in a year or two when he’s put on some extra muscle and has had some time to develop.
Perreault is the son of Yanic, who played in the league from 1994 to 2008. That experience he will have to rely on will be huge when he is in the dressing room and needs help dealing with the stress of pushing to contend for the Stanley Cup. That combined with his pure talent should have fans extremely happy with this selection. There’s no reason for the Rangers to not enjoy this selection.
Gabe Perreault played under new assistant head coach Dan Muse in the development program so the instant familiarity with someone that is sitting on the bench of the New York Rangers is a good sign for both the coaching staff and the front office in terms of making sure everything works. Logically, there’s a lot to like here. Time will tell how this pick pans out, but I do not think this is a move the Rangers will regret.