Rangers fans should set realistic expectations surrounding Gabe Perreault

The New York Rangers are severely lacking talent within the organization from the NHL roster, all the way to its prospect pool. That reality has naturally put a spotlight on 20-year-old forward Gabe Perreault.

Whenever a prospect shows flashes at the NHL level, especially in an organization searching for offensive juice, it’s easy for expectations to get carried away. The former first-round pick has provided plenty of reasons for fans to stay engaged with the season. He displays great skill and the kind of offensive instinct that can’t be taught.

But how does his NHL career really project?

What fans should expect from Gabe Perreault

Multiple experts indicate Perreault possesses elite hockey IQ, strong playmaking ability and excellent vision in the offensive zone. The knocks on his game have been his lack of straight-line speed and limited ability to separate. He processes the game quickly, yet he doesn’t have the wheels to drive pace.

There’s a difference between a player who can create offense within structure and one who can drive play on his own. Most scouts have viewed Perreault as a complementary top-six winger as opposed to a franchise-altering talent.

Perreault projects best alongside elite offensive talent, where his puck distribution and IQ has the opportunity to be amplified.

He sees lanes extremely well, anticipates coverage, and can operate effectively on a power-play. Those are traits that translate well to the NHL game. What likely puts a cap on his ceiling is the skating. NHL defenders close space quickly, and without a true acceleration, there’s a natural limit to how much offense he can generate on his own.

Thus far he's appeared in 29 games for the Rangers, and he's scored three goals while adding five assists for eight points while averaging 14:53 a game. With Artemi Panarin no longer a Ranger, there's more playing time up for grabs.

To his credit, he has dominated lower competition and has shown flashes in New York. His anticipation allows him to find open ice, and his hands are impressive in tight areas. But unless there’s a meaningful jump in explosiveness, he probably isn’t profiling as an elite top-6 winger.

And that’s where expectations need to be tempered.

If Perreault becomes a 55–65 point winger who excels next to a top center and contributes on the power play, that’s a success. But all signs indicate that he’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle — one that Chris Drury must solve by adding true difference-making talent to the organization’s pipeline.

Understanding that allows fans to appreciate his progress without placing unrealistic expectations on a 20-year-old still adjusting to NHL pace.