Perreault’s strong camp tests Rangers’ patience in roster decisions

Gabe Perreault’s strong start to Rangers camp is forcing a roster decision for a team weighing development against urgency. The 20-year-old winger, a 2023 first-round pick who signed with New York on March 31 after completing his sophomore season at Boston College, has made a sharper impression than many expected entering the preseason. He appeared in five NHL games last season and has already drawn attention to whether his next step should come in Hartford with the Wolf Pack or on a longer NHL track. As the Rangers try to balance immediate need with long-term development, the conversation centers on how much NHL time Perreault should get this season.

Perreault scored against New Jersey on Sunday and against Boston on Tuesday, boosting his standing in camp and prompting more questions about his eventual role. Head coach Mike Sullivan tempered the chatter by outlining what he looks for in a young player: “I think, obviously, Gabe has NHL talent. He’s a really talented kid. I think he’s a terrific hockey player,” Sullivan said. “He’s young, and it’s my experience approaching players like that, a lot of it is about [mastering] the thankless jobs, knowing when to get a puck deep, defensive responsibilities, awareness in the defensive zone, and then strength, just being strong on puck battles, and being strong in tight areas. But he sees it extremely well and he plays with courage. He’s willing to go into battle areas. I think he can get a little bit stronger and that’s going to help him. But we’ve been really encouraged with his game.”

“I don’t think he needs to be a top-six player [in New York] but 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, in turn, would also be in the best interest of the New York Rangers,” Sullivan added. “Whether that takes place in Hartford or New York is yet to be determined. That’s always going to be the question with young players, what’s the best formula for that player to ultimately become the impact player we perceive? Is it playing a lot of minutes at the AHL level or playing in the NHL? I don’t know if there’s an exact formula for that. It’s kind of a case-by-case basis. What I will tell you, is that he’s an NHL player in the making.”

The Rangers’ leadership group has repeatedly voiced a desire to develop young players without forcing premature NHL responsibility, a topic that’s dogged past top prospects at the club. The team’s camp roster, including Alexis Lafrenière skating on the left with the J.T. Miller–Mika Zibanejad combination and Vincent Trocheck expected between Conor Sheary and Taylor Raddysh for the preseason game against the Islanders, reflects an ongoing effort to balance veteran presence with promising youth. Panarin has not worked with the team since the opening day of camp due to a lingering lower-body issue but skated with coaches before practice resumed.

The question facing the Rangers remains whether Perreault’s long-term value is best served by immediate NHL minutes or by continued seasoning in the AHL. With limited spots available on the NHL roster, management will measure his progress against the club’s immediate needs and his development trajectory, aiming to avoid the mistakes of past prospects who rushed into a top role too soon. The club will finalize its decision as camp unfolds and as the preseason schedule continues.