This was posted on the prospect board a little earlier in the day.
Obviously this could be completely wrong but this a scenario I wouldn't mind given that I don't love Perrault's game and he'd probably be considered a slight reach at 17, giving a greater chance of one of the better forwards slipping down to our spot like Seth Jarvis
I'm going to need to correct something about the poster you are quoting, because it's necessary. If I was ranking the skating of consensus top RWs Holtz, Quinn, Jarvis, Mercer, Perreault and Gunler -- well, Perreault is the fastest skater out of all of those players. I don't know who had a problem with Perreault's skating, but the kid is an elite skater, so maybe they're thinking of someone else?
Quite simply, Jacob Perreault is the most physically gifted RW in the 2020 draft. Even if you considered Lucas Raymond a RW (which some do), Perreault would still be the highest upside RW in the draft. The question with Perreault is not physical ability, it's all less tangible. You worry that he's going to show up for camp in share, then you worry that he's going to give consistent effort, then you worry that he's going to give that effort for all 200 feet of the ice.
But Perreault at #17 cannot be considered a reach, because if this kid puts it all together, then look out. He's just ridiculously talented.
I agree that I would not draft Perreault over a surer bet like Mercer or a similarly talented but high-motor kid like Jarvis. I also agree that if Chicago took Perreault at #17 and it pushed a Mercer or Jarvis to the Devils, that would be great news. But if that's not the case, Perreault would be an outstanding pick for the Devils at #18 or #20.