The New York Rangers are trying to find a solution to their home ice woes. In seven home games, the Rangers have gone 0-6-1 and scored just six goals total. It's a major difference from how they play on the road. The latest example was when the Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Friday on the road, but losing 5-0 to the New York Islanders at home on Saturday.
On Sunday, the Rangers decided to call up top prospect Gabe Perreault, one day after the Rangers' fifth shutout loss at home this season. Calling up a top young prospect will always cause excitement among the fanbase. But fans had to be questioning what kind of role Perreault would serve.
Based on Monday's practice, Perreault was spotted on the top line alongside Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller. Head coach Mike Sullivan was asked about putting Perreault in a top-six role, and Rangers fans will love the answer.
"Our intention is to try to set him up for success so he can play with strengths. So in other words, I don't know that makes a whole lot of sense to call a player up like that and put him on in the bottom six role," said Sullivan, h/t Colin Stephenson of Newsday.
Mike Sullivan makes important decision regarding Gabe Perreault's playing time
This is what Rangers fans want to hear. Perreault has been lauded dating back to his time in the 2023 draft process. He has been cited as a building block of the Rangers' future. If the Rangers call him up, give him a prominent role. The more playing time a top prospect gains, the more beneficial it can become.
Perreault was in serious contention to take one of the Rangers' roster spots out of the preseason. In four games, Perreault scored two goals and recorded two assists. Ultimately, the last roster spot went to Noah Laba, who is currently thriving on the Rangers.
Starting off the season in the AHL with Hartford, Perreault scored five goals and recorded five assists in nine games played. At one point, Perreault had a four-game scoring streak.
Sullivan has done this in the past. Back in the 2016-17 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, they called up Jake Guentzel, and he played a huge role in the team winning their second consecutive Stanley Cup. Sullivan gave Guentzel meaningful playing time and paired him alongside Sidney Crosby. In the playoffs, Guentzel scored a league-high 13 goals, 11 of which arrived on even strength.
It's welcoming words to hear Sullivan express his desire to give Perreault a meaningful role in his season debut. Maybe he'll be the solution to ending the team's rut at Madison Square Garden. But to ensure Perreault has a bright future, Sullivan can't significantly reduce his on-ice time.