Gabe Perreault's signing of his entry-level contract has delighted the Rangers. However, some are unhappy that the Rangers are burning the first year of his contract when the organization only has eight games left this season and is not assured of a playoff appearance. It has been one of the most extreme rollercoaster seasons of the salary cap era, so is it worth using the first year of a value contract like an entry-level deal for eight games?
The argument for it is strong. Perreault has the best points-per-game percentage of any player at Boston College since the beginning of the 1993-94 season. He will be a good addition to the Rangers' forward core long-term, and giving him extra time to embed himself in the organization is a valid idea. He will need time to adjust to the NHL, and having him gain the experience of a playoff race will suit his development.
However, the Rangers' playoff chances this year are thin at best. Letting Perreault recover from a taxing NCAA season and prep for next year, where he could earn a spot out of camp or spend the year with the Hartford Wolf Pack working on his game, would have been another good idea for the Rangers. It would also allow the Rangers to punt his contract year down the road and use it during a cap crunch.
Overall, the right decision will reveal itself based on how Perreault plays over the rest of the year, but this debate will rage until he gets a new contract in a few years. He's been one of the best scorers in the NCAA during his time at Boston College, and the Rangers would do well to get him scoring at that rate, making burning the first year of his entry-level contract more logical.