Draft Round 1 #23: New York Rangers Select RW Gabriel Perreault (Boston College, NCAA)

[PuckLuck3043]

I’m going off of what experts said- not my evaluation of him. They are experts- I’m not. I’m glad you love the guy and are anointing him the next great New York Ranger. I hope you are right but let’s be a bit slower on falling in love with records and little bit more practical about how a guy with questionable skating and is on the smaller side might translate into the NHL. That’s all I’m saying.

I’m even ignoring my strongest point which is this organization just drafted 2 similar forwards( 3 if you include Kravstov) and none have lived up to anywhere near their hype/billing.



A very long time ago in essentially a totally different league in which clutching and grabbing was exactly what everyone did.

I just showed you a quote from an NHL scout and have read similar reports from others. His skating is not an issue it's just not as elite as his other skills. What he did by breaking Matthew's record is not insignificant. He's nothing like the bust Kravs or anybody else we drafted. The kid is a stud and we were lucky to get him at 23.

 

[Synergy27]

When does the BC schedule come out? I’d love to catch a few of their games next season.

Also, I feel like I saw these stats somewhere but I don’t remember where. Did Gabe put up over 40 points against NCAA teams last season? Gonna be interesting to see what that line does as a unit this year.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

FWIW:

 

[UnSandvich]

FWIW:

He was listed as LW for a while this season iirc

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He was listed as LW for a while this season iirc

Yes, because a lot of kids on the US NTDP play out of position because of the logjams they have.

Perreault played RW most of his career, but with Leonard at RW, he moved to the left.

This is a very similar situation to Alexander Holtz being listed as LW going into the draft. Holtz played LW on Sweden u20 with Lucas Raymond on the opposite wing, yet at Djurgården, Holtz played RW every game.

Now, Perreault hasn't had that type of "spread" so to speak with his games but it's important to note that a lot of players switch positions after turning pro.

Sebastian Aho was a RW
Kevin Hayes was a LW
JT Miller was a C
Zac Jones was a C

Kaapo Kakko played a lot of LW and center growing up, and even played LW and center in pro hockey before he was drafted.

Brennan Othmann played center until Shane Wright joined his team. Then he moved to RW, before ending up at LW in the OHL. But in Switzerland, for EHC Olten, he played both sides regularly, and even post-draft he has lined up at RW a lot in games where he was listed as LW.

Especially in today's game, with how dynamic the game has become, fewer and fewer players are limited to a single side.

 

[Synergy27]

Yes, because a lot of kids on the US NTDP play out of position because of the logjams they have.

Perreault played RW most of his career, but with Leonard at RW, he moved to the left.

This is a very similar situation to Alexander Holtz being listed as LW going into the draft. Holtz played LW on Sweden u20 with Lucas Raymond on the opposite wing, yet at Djurgården, Holtz played RW every game.

Now, Perreault hasn't had that type of "spread" so to speak with his games but it's important to note that a lot of players switch positions after turning pro.

Sebastian Aho was a RW
Kevin Hayes was a LW
JT Miller was a C
Zac Jones was a C

Kaapo Kakko played a lot of LW and center growing up, and even played LW and center in pro hockey before he was drafted.

Brennan Othmann played center until Shane Wright joined his team. Then he moved to RW, before ending up at LW in the OHL. But in Switzerland, for EHC Olten, he played both sides regularly, and even post-draft he has lined up at RW a lot in games where he was listed as LW.

Especially in today's game, with how dynamic the game has become, fewer and fewer players are limited to a single side.

The fact that Laf can’t adapt to RW is one of the most concerning things about his game to me. Switching wings is not hard, and many high end scorers prefer to play the off side because of the shooting angles.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

The fact that Laf can’t adapt to RW is one of the most concerning things about his game to me. Switching wings is not hard, and many high end scorers prefer to play the off side because of the shooting angles.

Yeah, I've discussed it in my prospect interviews and social interactions at junior tournaments with almost every forward I spoke to. And the answers and responses range from guys being very comfortable to do it (Berard, Kakko, Othmann, Holtz, Stützle, Cuylle, Edström, Höglander, Raymond) to guys who have a very outspoken preference to one side (Lafrenière, Ronning, Rueschhoff, Pajuniemi).

I have seen the same thing in other sports. Wingers in rugby are always very outspoken whether or not they can play the 11 and 14 positions or rather stick to just one spot.

You'd expect a 1st overall pick to have gotten used to that, but when you look at his trajectory throughout his childhood, he was always the best player on his team. So there was never a reason to play "out of position" and as such never got used to it.

Kreider had the same problem. He was always the best, most mature specimen on his teams, in HS-Prep, even in college and for national teams at different age groups. He was never asked to switch positions because he was often the first or second name on the line-up sheet.

 

[Synergy27]

Yeah, I've discussed it in my prospect interviews and social interactions at junior tournaments with almost every forward I spoke to. And the answers and responses range from guys being very comfortable to do it (Berard, Kakko, Othmann, Holtz, Stützle, Cuylle, Edström, Höglander, Raymond) to guys who have a very outspoken preference to one side (Lafrenière, Ronning, Rueschhoff, Pajuniemi).

I have seen the same thing in other sports. Wingers in rugby are always very outspoken whether or not they can play the 11 and 14 positions or rather stick to just one spot.

You'd expect a 1st overall pick to have gotten used to that, but when you look at his trajectory throughout his childhood, he was always the best player on his team. So there was never a reason to play "out of position" and as such never got used to it.

Kreider had the same problem. He was always the best, most mature specimen on his teams, in HS-Prep, even in college and for national teams at different age groups. He was never asked to switch positions because he was often the first or second name on the line-up sheet.

Not for nothing, but every legitimate NHL prospect would have been by far the best player in every team they played on growing up. I don’t buy that as an excuse.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Not for nothing, but every legitimate NHL prospect would have been by far the best player in every team they played on growing up. I don’t buy that as an excuse.

Yeah, at age 8. Not at age 14 and up.

 

[dangsLITE]

After watching extensive tape of this kid since we drafted him all I'm saying is he has this extra thing that will help him a ton in the NHL. Two actually, first his hockey IQ is insanely high, kind of like Adam Fox in that he sees plays happen before they happen. And on top of that he has some phisicality that a lot of people over look, he is no Artemi Panarin, that's for damn sure. This kid is easily a top 10 pick that fell to us. I don't see the bad skating. Yeah he doesn't blow past people but he as at least as good a skater as Mika. He looks better than Lafreniere skating.

wait what?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

wait what?

"not an elite skater" doesn't mean Perreault is a bad skater. There are worse skaters on this team than him.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Vince did an interview article about Gilbert aka Gabriel.

NY Rangers development camp: Gabe Perreault adds 'elite hockey sense' to prospect pool

This year's first-round pick gives the Blueshirts' pipeline a much-needed jolt of skill and 'offensive instincts.'

www.lohud.com

 

[bhamill]

Yes, because a lot of kids on the US NTDP play out of position because of the logjams they have.

Perreault played RW most of his career, but with Leonard at RW, he moved to the left.

This is a very similar situation to Alexander Holtz being listed as LW going into the draft. Holtz played LW on Sweden u20 with Lucas Raymond on the opposite wing, yet at Djurgården, Holtz played RW every game.

Now, Perreault hasn't had that type of "spread" so to speak with his games but it's important to note that a lot of players switch positions after turning pro.

Sebastian Aho was a RW
Kevin Hayes was a LW
JT Miller was a C
Zac Jones was a C

Kaapo Kakko played a lot of LW and center growing up, and even played LW and center in pro hockey before he was drafted.

Brennan Othmann played center until Shane Wright joined his team. Then he moved to RW, before ending up at LW in the OHL. But in Switzerland, for EHC Olten, he played both sides regularly, and even post-draft he has lined up at RW a lot in games where he was listed as LW.

Especially in today's game, with how dynamic the game has become, fewer and fewer players are limited to a single side.

Good info!

 

[mas0764]

The fact that Laf can’t adapt to RW is one of the most concerning things about his game to me. Switching wings is not hard, and many high end scorers prefer to play the off side because of the shooting angles.

Is it concerning about Kreider too?

 

[Synergy27]

Is it concerning about Kreider too?

No because he was always a player with a limited skillset and he’s old now. I do think he should be able to play that side without issue but I think these are very different players.

 

[JHS]

I just showed you a quote from an NHL scout and have read similar reports from others. His skating is not an issue it's just not as elite as his other skills. What he did by breaking Matthew's record is not insignificant. He's nothing like the bust Kravs or anybody else we drafted. The kid is a stud and we were lucky to get him at 23.

I’m sure we can all find quotes raving about Krav, Lias, Kappo and Laf…I just caution you to be labeling this guy with such promise as you seem to have— I hope you are right but let’s face it- the odds are stacked against this guy from the start…because he was drafted by this organization.

The fact that Laf can’t adapt to RW is one of the most concerning things about his game to me. Switching wings is not hard, and many high end scorers prefer to play the off side because of the shooting angles.

Everything for Laf is hard- literally everything. The thought that he’d line up on the other side of the center on face offs would throw him totally off…

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

 

[NickyFotiu]

I was wondering who he would be compared to. I see a little Joe Mullen in him although he is taller than Joe.

 

[Levitate]

The fact that Laf can’t adapt to RW is one of the most concerning things about his game to me. Switching wings is not hard, and many high end scorers prefer to play the off side because of the shooting angles.

I don't think he looked bad at RW, Gallant just scrambled the lines after they went a few games not looking like world beaters.

Gallant had his pairs and matches he wanted and didn't have much patience

 

[bhamill]

I don't think he looked bad at RW, Gallant just scrambled the lines after they went a few games not looking like world beaters.

Gallant had his pairs and matches he wanted and didn't have much patience

Yeah, I mean if you want to see how someone adapts to an off wing I think you need more than two or three games. Hahahahah. Some of these guys are hell bent on him being a bust, double standards, like "Not being able to adapt to off wing" is super concerning about Laf but fine for the veteran Kreider. Hahahaha. And how about Bread? Can't adapt to off wing: I don't think he will be an effective NHLer...

 

[Synergy27]

I don't think he looked bad at RW, Gallant just scrambled the lines after they went a few games not looking like world beaters.

Gallant had his pairs and matches he wanted and didn't have much patience

Laf has openly stated that he’s uncomfortable there and that he wants to stay on the left side.

 

[LaffyTaffyNYR]

"As coaches I guess we've got to try to fix that sooner or later," Gallant said of changing things to allow Lafreniere to flourish. "But when you've got things going, you've got your superstars ahead of them, sometimes you have trouble getting a certain amount of ice time.”

“It hasn't helped Lafreniere that Gallant prefers him to play on his strong side, meaning at left wing, where he usually is behind Panarin and Kreider.”

 

[Bacon Artemi Bravo]

Laf has openly stated that he’s uncomfortable there and that he wants to stay on the left side.

“I played left wing my whole life so obviously I was more comfortable there, but I’m ready to adjust and change to right wing and try to play the best hockey I can,” Lafreniere said. “It’s obviously a little bit different coming back into your own end, and it might take a couple of games, but I’m comfortable with it.”

Alexis Lafreniere goes to right wing to stick in Rangers’ top six

Rangers youngster Alexis Lafreniere will get another chance to make it [on the] right while getting his second straight look on the line with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin.

nypost.com

 

[bhamill]

Laf has openly stated that he’s uncomfortable there and that he wants to stay on the left side.

He also openly said he's willing to play RW... having a preference isn't unusual.

“I played left wing my whole life so obviously I was more comfortable there, but I’m ready to adjust and change to right wing and try to play the best hockey I can,” Lafreniere said. “It’s obviously a little bit different coming back into your own end, and it might take a couple of games, but I’m comfortable with it.”

Alexis Lafreniere goes to right wing to stick in Rangers’ top six

Rangers youngster Alexis Lafreniere will get another chance to make it [on the] right while getting his second straight look on the line with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin.

nypost.com

exactly

 

[Levitate]

Laf has openly stated that he’s uncomfortable there and that he wants to stay on the left side.

source please

he's also openly stated he'll play wherever they want him to