Putting Gabe Perreault in a position to succeed is the biggest test of the Rangers retool

There is no way that the New York Rangers could possibly spoil yet another blooming prospect, right? It seems like anyone who is a first round selection from the Rangers for the better part of a decade has not worked out whatsoever.

But that could change with one of the most recent first rounders to make their way up to the NHL level, Gabe Perreault. He has been fantastic for the Rangers this season, on a team that is slowly dissolving itself into its next era, a full retool.

Alexis Lafrenière's "bust" status as a first-overall pick is still in question, but it seems like he has been playing much better lately. Maybe the sense that this team was not fighting for a playoff spot has given him some ease of mind. It's also possible being out of Artemi Panarin's shadow has enabled him to be more aggressive and control when he's on the ice. But this story isn't about Lafrenière, but his current running mate on the top line.

Let's go over why Perreault has to be handled carefully by the Rangers, as this next phase relies on his development and plays into the overall success of the post Letter 2.0 retool/rebuild.

Blueshirts' No. 1 prospect is heating up

Perreault has six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 30 games this season. He started the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and it was clear that after 10-7-17 in 20 games earlier this season that he was better served playing against stiffer competition at the NHL level. In his last five games with the Blueshirts, Perreault has three goals and two assists, helping the Rangers glide along to a 3-1-1 record over that span.

This is the perfect time for him to be heating up, as even though the Rangers are not fighting for a playoff spot, some of their opponents are. Perreault is not doing well against fringe AHLers and instead is taking it to some of the top teams in the league in higher leverage matchups.

His development will be critical over the last 19 games.

Most interesting Rangers player to watch for the rest of this season

There is a case to be made that Perreault will be the most interesting Rangers player to watch for the rest of the way. He has taken some major strides in his first full go-around the NHL level, and he has not backed down from the challenge.

Some nights, it seems that he is much more than a rookie, as exhibited in the 6-2 rout of Philadelphia on Monday. He had a goal and an assist, getting his tally on the powerplay. Perreault was fast with the puck, creative, and smooth up the ice. There is a distinction in his game that sets him apart and is definitely the reason why Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury took him No. 23 overall during the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

The Rangers cannot miss on this kid, and let him join the other failures. Right now he's living up to the hype, and it is crucial to put him in a position to succeed from this point onward. The future of the retool depends on it.