Gabe Perreault could end up being available at our pick. EP's Consolidated ranking has him currently at 24.
Per Scott Wheeler of the Athletic:
11. Gabe Perreault — LW, U.S. NTDP, 5-foot-11
I’m prepared to stick my neck out on Perreault at this point. Eventually, when the points pile up like they have, and they happen making the kinds of plays that he does, you can’t ignore them. There are many who’ve settled on Perreault as more of a mid-to-late-round first because of the combination of his skinny frame and the linemates he plays with. But at this point in time there’s also only one player in the history of the U.S. NTDP who has produced at a higher points per game clip in their draft year than Perreault has this season:
Jack Hughes. Not
Phil Kessel. Not
Clayton Keller. Not
Cole Caufield. Not Logan Cooley. Only Hughes. The U17 team’s leader in assists and points last year, Perreault has played to nearly two points per game with the U18 team this year. And yet most believe he’s the third-most compelling and projectable prospect on USA’s top line.
I’m less and less convinced of that. He’s a clever beyond belief, maneuverable facilitator and playmaker who plays the game with a light touch and a heady spatial awareness of not only where his teammates are, but where he is in the flow of play (and relative to defenders). The son of longtime NHLer Yanic Perreault and brother of
Ducks prospect Jacob, Gabe doesn’t have his dad’s defensive acumen or his brother’s build (he’s listed at 165 pounds now), but he’s an intuitive, highly-intelligent player who sees the play develop offensively at a more advanced level than his two family members did/do — and than almost anybody in the draft does. He’s got some of the quickest hands in the draft. He problem-solves his way out of trouble as well as anyone in this age group. He gets shots off extremely fast and without bobbles in catch-and-release sequences. He plans things out on the ice at speed and then finds ways to make his desired play. He’s a slick one-on-one player. He’s a good skater and should pick up another step as he gets stronger.
Because of his genetics, he should add the necessary weight and strength eventually. I’d eagerly bet on him.
