Gabe Perreault hasn't looked out of place for the New York Rangers thus far during the 2025-26 NHL preseason, but it appears the brain trust has bigger plans in mind for the team's top prospect.
The varsity squad practice on Friday morning, and Perreault did not take part. Instead, he joined fellow prospect Brennan Otthman and a second group of players which seemingly indicates he'll be starting the season in the minors.
#NYR Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault are flanking Dylan Roobroeck in Group 2
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) September 26, 2025
Perreault has appeared in three games and has two goals which leads Rangers this preseason, and puts him third in total scoring. While he still has a chance during these final three games to change hearts and minds, an assignment to Hartford may be in both parties best interests.
Perreault needs to play as much as possible
A few days ago Mike Sullivan was asked about Perreault, and his answer was direct.
Via Mollie Walker of the New York Post:
#NYR coach Mike Sullivan says Gabe Perreault "has NHL talent" and is "an NHL player in the making." On whether he thinks No. 94 has to play in top 6 or if he's comfortable with him in a 3/4 line role: "I don't think he needs to be a top six player. I think it's important that he gets minutes and that he plays because it's probably in the best interest of his overall development, which would in turn be the best interest of the New York Rangers. Whether that takes place in New York or in Hartford is yet to be determined. We're really encouraged by his game. He seems to get better with each game that he plays."
The simple fact is that top line minutes and power play time is more beneficial for Perreault at this stage of his career. We've seen in recent years how young players like Alexis Lafrenière has struggled to get opportunities, and with that in mind it's hard to see things easily opening up for Perreault. And that's normal, and may be better in the grand scheme for his overall development. The goal for this season is NHL minutes, but we've seen top prospects like Kaapo Kakko flounder in year one, and that negatively impacting development and growth. The Rangers likely want to learn from previous mistakes.
There's no need to rush Perreault along
Perreault has the potential to be a big part of the Rangers' immediate future, but he just ended his NCAA career of two seasons. There's nothing wrong with him getting 20 to 30 games in the AHL, and then the Rangers reassessing the situation depending on how he's playing.
An assignment in Hartford would be in line with how the Rangers treated Brennan Othmann, a player who debuted in the AHL with 21 goals, 28 assists, and 49 points in 67 games, and followed that up with a 12-8-20 line in 27 games last season. That the two are likely going to play together is great, because developing chemistry in Hartford could lead to them both having success later on in the NHL which will only make the Rangers a better team.
This isn't what fans wanted to see happen, but it is better for the Rangers to take it slow, and then have him join the team after he's proven that the AHL is no longer the right place for him.