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

[HatTrick Swayze]

Made the trek to St Paul yesterday and went to the game last night. Had to see this line in action live.

GP's vision is truly special and stands out even more live when you can really take in the whole sheet. Last night he had multiple incredible seeing eye passes that found his teammates' sticks for quality shots on goal. I tried not to do any NYR homer preselling to my buddy sitting next to me, but unprompted he was shocked by Perrault's vision and passing ability multiple times.

I thought GP and the entire Freshman line had a lackluster regional (by their high standards) so it was nice to see them bringing their usual heat last night.

And say what you will about Gauthier but that kid can finish. I'm glad he's out of the division.

1+ more game to go to watch these kids play together. Hope for another great performance by Perrault tomorrow night.

 

[Wieters]

The quality of the coaching is undoubtably better in the pros. Also, while it may be disputed if Perreault can hold up in the NHL, it's near certain that he can be a top-6 player in the AHL where the competition is massively better. Beating up on children who are just happy to get a scholarship and mostly will never play a non-beer league game ever again after graduation isn't what he needs. I understand it would be fun to watch him score 72 points in 38 games, but practicing against pros puts him on a different level.

This attitude is parroting a completely outdated view of college hockey that doesn't reflect the reality of the modern-day NCAA. It's also irrelevant because elite prospects are now sooner to tell their NHL team to shove it than be told they have to leave a college to go to the AHL.

If you want a model for how Perrault could improve in college, look no further than Cutter Gauthier on his own team. He went from merely scoring goals last season to now being a true 200-foot player.

 

[JCProdigy]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. What gives me the most hope is that Gabe is absolutely unafraid to go to the dirty, difficult parts of the ice and battle. He's not a perimeter player. Like most his age, he'll have to get stronger to do it successfully at the next level but the will is there and with his dad a former NHLer and older brother struggling to get to the NHL, I think his mindset on the work that's needs to be put in to do so is set.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

3 hours till the championship game!!!

 

[Rempe73]

3 hours till the championship game!!!

And 6 hours until we sign him!

 

[GAGLine]

Good defensive play by Gabe to break up the cycle. Got the puck with his stick, then checked the player to let his teammate grab the puck.

 

[GAGLine]

Wow! What a pass by Perreault! Stretch pass sent Smith in all alone but the goalie made the save.

 

[2014nyr]

And 6 hours until we sign him!

1 year and 6 hours

 

[GAGLine]

Another great play by Gabe, taking the puck through the middle and to the net.

 

[2014nyr]

filthy handles by gabe to create another chance but this davis kid is a monster

 

[RempireStateBuilding]

Real good chance in tight by Gabe, couldn't convert though. Good puck control and hands.

 

[bleedblue94]

Gabe has been the best player this far on BC.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Gabe’s been the best player on both teams so far.

 

[bleedblue94]

Gabe’s been the best player on both teams so far.

Most noticeable for sure.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Leonard and Smith have been ass so far, wake the f*** up and help Gabe.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I don’t like the number 34

 

[bleedblue94]

And like him stepping in for Smith at the end of the period.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Gabe with the nice crosscheck to someones face at the end, love it. Kid is low key chippy.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Gabe gooning it up

 

[bhamill]

Gabe coming to Smith’s defense. He’s got moxie.

 

[bleedblue94]

Leonard and Smith have been ass so far, wake the f*** up and help Gabe.

This is why I said I would love to see these guys all go and have Gabe be back next year to lead the team. See gabe be the guy rather than be the distributor.

 

[Svenhart2008]

Realistically, Gabe by himself will not put up these kinds of numbers

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Realistically, Gabe by himself will not put up these kinds of numbers

Indeed, none of them would as freshmen.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Realistically, Gabe by himself will not put up these kinds of numbers

Thanks Islanders fan.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

What’s Denver’s team name? The Pie-Os?