Gabe Perreault forcing Rangers into tough roster decision

The mantra for Gabe Perreault echoing off the Garden walls has been, “Don’t rush…don’t rush,” ever since the 2023 first-rounder signed with the Rangers last March 31 after his sophomore season at Boston College.

The winger, selected 23rd overall, made a five-game cameo appearance but expectations over the summer were that Perreault would need time in the AHL to adjust to the pro pace and physical demands of the pro game. 

When he skated the first day of camp with Noah Laba in the middle and Brett Berard on the left, it might have been a preview of the Wolf Pack’s first line.

But Perreault’s work through camp and in the first two exhibition games, in which he scored against New Jersey on Sunday and against Boston Tuesday, has elevated No. 94’s already high profile.

The Rangers do not have many spots open, but the 20-year-old has certainly made an impression.

“I think, obviously, Gabe has NHL talent. He’s a really talented kid. I think he’s a terrific hockey player,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “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.”

The hierarchy now has to evaluate — or perhaps reevaluate — whether the 5-11, 180-pound winger’s progress would be accelerated or stunted by playing more of a support role in New York than by headlining the Wolf Pack.

Did the Rangers rush Kaapo Kakko? Did they rush Lias Andersson? These are unanswerable questions. But GM Chris Drury, the rest of management and the head coach do not want to make the mistake of rushing Perreault.

“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 said. “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,” said Sullivan, “is that he’s an NHL player in the making.”

Alexis Lafrenière has skated on the left every training camp session. He will be on left wing with the J.T. Miller-Mika Zibanejad combination for Thursday’s preseason match against the Islanders at the Garden. Vincent Trocheck is projected to play between Conor Sheary and Taylor Raddysh. 

Artemi Panarin, who has not worked with the team since the first day of camp (lower body), skated again with coaches before the formal practice sessions commenced.