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

[Machinehead]

The problem with our core of offensive players isn't defense imo. Reaching is a team problem, and that needs to be addressed in its own right, but again, a lot of really good forwards that win aren't good at defending.

The problem I have with our top guys is that they're very niche. They have what works, and if it doesn't work, or a team takes it away in a series, that's it. There isn't a plan B.

Kreider is good at tips and finding little spots but he's not opening up a defense. Zibanejad has a very good shot and is a better than average passer, but his ability to handle the puck under pressure and shed defenders is almost non-existent. He has to already be in a good spot which relies on someone else making a play, plus the defense can plan for it. Lafreniere is an excellent finisher but his ability to get to that point from the start of a possession relies almost entirely on his teammates. Even Panarin, who is a very good player, leans too much on pulling up and finding a pass.

I feel like this has become a toxic environment for offense (maybe I'm wrong) so I'm not sure what version of Gabe ends up being on the Rangers, but Gabe has a bag. He can do a number of different things if the first couple of options aren't hitting, and he's not a niche offensive player that has to button-mash the same move.

We've really lacked that over the years. The deepest offensive bag on the team probably belongs to Filip Chytil, which is sad, all due respect to Chytil.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

The problem with our core of offensive players isn't defense imo. Reaching is a team problem, and that needs to be addressed in its own right, but again, a lot of really good forwards that win aren't good at defending.

The problem I have with our top guys is that they're very niche. They have what works, and if it doesn't work, or a team takes it away in a series, that's it. There isn't a plan B.

Kreider is good at tips and finding little spots but he's not opening up a defense. Zibanejad has a very good shot and is a better than average passer, but his ability to handle the puck under pressure and shed defenders is almost non-existent. He has to already be in a good spot which relies on someone else making a play, plus the defense can plan for it. Lafreniere is an excellent finisher but his ability to get to that point from the start of a possession relies almost entirely on his teammates. Even Panarin, who is a very good player, leans too much on pulling up and finding a pass.

I feel like this has become a toxic environment for offense (maybe I'm wrong) so I'm not sure what version of Gabe ends up being on the Rangers, but Gabe has a bag. He can do a number of different things if the first couple of options aren't hitting, and he's not a niche offensive player that has to button-mash the same move.

We've really lacked that over the years. The deepest offensive bag on the team probably belongs to Filip Chytil, which is sad, all due respect to Chytil.

Kreider and Zib are a terrible influence on the team. They play the wrong way, even when they were good producers. We need modern hockey players who play a modern style.

Panarin can get a pass because he’s actually elite and scored 120 gyat damn points. But I think even he and Fox would change their game a little bit if the rest of the drivers played proper hockey. Can’t wait to be rid of 93 and 20 for good.

 

[Machinehead]

Kreider and Zib are a terrible influence on the team. They play the wrong way, even when they were good producers. We need modern hockey players who play a modern style.

Panarin can get a pass because he’s actually elite and scored 120 gyat damn points. But I think even he and Fox would change their game a little bit if the rest of the drivers played proper hockey. Can’t wait to be rid of 93 and 20 for good.

I do think the influence of the vets is a potential issue. Kreider and Zib really had to lean into gimmick offense to stick around in this league. Zibanejad always was a flawed player and Kreider just isn't that skilled. The concern is potentially rubbing off on guys who can do more.

Granted, whenever the discussion of laziness and bad habits comes up, I do think there's always a huge element of "if he could, he would." That's kind of where I am with Lafreniere at this point. His skating, IQ, and ability to handle the puck don't stand out at this level.

I do notice that Panarin and Fox are becoming more button-mashy the longer they stick around, however, and I know they can do more, so that element certainly exists.

They need a Torts. They need a guy that says "this is the way you're playing or you're not playing" and doesn't care who it is.

Also, don't hand the keys over to players who were always limited. What do you think happens when B+ is the standard? That's why "turn it over to Laf and Cuylle" makes me cringe.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I do think the influence of the vets is a potential issue. Kreider and Zib really had to lean into gimmick offense to stick around in this league. Zibanejad always was a flawed player and Kreider just isn't that skilled. The concern is potentially rubbing off on guys who can do more.

Granted, whenever the discussion of laziness and bad habits comes up, I do think there's always a huge element of "if he could, he would." That's kind of where I am with Lafreniere at this point. His skating, IQ, and ability to handle the puck don't stand out at this level.

I do notice that Panarin and Fox are becoming more button-mashy the longer they stick around, however, and I know they can do more, so that element certainly exists.

They need a Torts. They need a guy that says "this is the way you're playing or you're not playing" and doesn't care who it is.

Also, don't hand the keys over to players who were always limited. What do you think happens when B+ is the standard? That's why "turn it over to Laf and Cuylle" makes me cringe.

Man, I remember how much we wanted Torts gone in 2013 and now people are pining for him like he's Scotty Bowman.

 

[Machinehead]

Man, I remember how much we wanted Torts gone in 2013 and now people are pining for him like he's Scotty Bowman.

He's probably not the guy you win with and that team was ready to stop getting screamed at. He's a foundational coach that sets up good habits.

We tried to do that with David Quinn, but it didn't work, and then we went right into caretaker coaches with a roster that wasn't ready to win anything.

 

[Machinehead]

Also, to be fair to Laviolette, he was pretty strict with the 1-3-1 when he first started, and then that went to hell when the team was generating like 4 chances a game.

We don't have the talent to play right and stlll produce.

Gabe has the kind of ability where he can beat guys 5v5 in a real hockey game.

 

[Lion Hound]

Congrats to Perreault and Team USA. 2 Golds in WJC is quite the accomplishment.

For Perreault, i think he is the most cerebral prospect the Rangers drafted had since Derek Stepan. Stepan however never had the skill level or skating to go with it. Gabe gets some knocks for his skating but I think he's above average there. Perreault just thinks the game at a much higher pace. Clearly evident when he is out there. As a trio I think his line throughout the entire tournament was the top line in the WJC. Consistently a threat. The production was there, however...I felt like it could have been much higher then what they finished. They created so many A scoring chances with Perreault driving a lot of the offense for them. Leaves you wishing to see he and Leonard both on Broadway together but Caps just wont move a player like that.

Have to also give Team USA some props for how well they were coached for the tourney. In the OT, these players were very mindful to change up and not get burnt out on a shift. Team USA deserved Gold in this one.

 

[Levitate]

I do think the influence of the vets is a potential issue. Kreider and Zib really had to lean into gimmick offense to stick around in this league. Zibanejad always was a flawed player and Kreider just isn't that skilled. The concern is potentially rubbing off on guys who can do more.

Granted, whenever the discussion of laziness and bad habits comes up, I do think there's always a huge element of "if he could, he would." That's kind of where I am with Lafreniere at this point. His skating, IQ, and ability to handle the puck don't stand out at this level.

I do notice that Panarin and Fox are becoming more button-mashy the longer they stick around, however, and I know they can do more, so that element certainly exists.

They need a Torts. They need a guy that says "this is the way you're playing or you're not playing" and doesn't care who it is.

Also, don't hand the keys over to players who were always limited. What do you think happens when B+ is the standard? That's why "turn it over to Laf and Cuylle" makes me cringe.

I think it helped Laf a lot to be paired with Panarin but he's also picked up a lot of bad habits from Panarin like always pulling up inside the zone and not driving play towards the net enough.

That line really wants to try to stretch the defense out and thread passes but most defenses (at least good ones) are far too disciplined at this point to fall for it over and over. IMO that line needs to play more downhill to the net...they can keep with the passing and all but make passes that are to guys going to the net not trying to feather it all the way across the ice to some guy who's just skating into the zone so now everyone has time to reset.



DUnno, I think he (Laf) could play a different style of attackign the net more if he had the linemates to do so. But also he's not really skilled enough himself, as so far as he's shown, to drive the line like that himself.

 

[eco's bones]

I thought he elevated his game the longer the tournament went on. A ton of the goals USA scored started with smart decisions, steals and great quick passing by Gabe. I thought he was kind of ignored by EJ and Granato throughout the games, but thats the kind of sneaky effective player he is.

Man, Leonard is a force. The Rangers really could use a young power forward like him. Pissed that the Caps are getting him and we will have to deal with him in the division. Gabe is a peripheral player, extremely intelligent and anticipates everything in the offensive zone so well. You could see how fast his processing of the game is.

A lot of reaching in his game defensively. He'll improve, but I dont see him becoming a super strong two way guy. Saw a few checks but that's not his game at all. Which to me, is a problem considering its the same stuff we've seen from the core players on this team.

I dont want to shit on him after winning Gold, but while Perreault will be very good at the NHL level, he'll be the same skilled winger that helps gets you to the dance - but he will need to be surrounded by a stronger, physical compliment of players if they want to win it all. Its just about where this Rangers team is now and what weve seen from the current core of forwards. They need straight line players and not softer skilled guys.

Gabriel was snakebit somewhat the WJC's. It seems like he hit several posts. He's not the same kind of player that Leonard is. Leonard is more North/South crash the net and corners with a shoot first mentality. Gabriel is more like Panarin and he likes setting his teammates up. He has way more vision for the game than Leonard. He's also got a knack for taking unconventional routes to scoring areas when he doesn't have the puck. He's just a very very clever player.

I wouldn't say he couldn't work more on his two way game but what I've seen he's a diligent back checker. USA also used both him and Leonard on the PK. Quite often they'd go on for the last 30 seconds or so and into the time their player was coming out of the box. But Carle didn't seem to have an issue with using them for that.

As of now Panarin still is the guy that makes the Rangers offense tick. Panarin uses his teammates in much the same way that Perreault does. It's the Gretzky model really. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Machinehead]

I think it helped Laf a lot to be paired with Panarin but he's also picked up a lot of bad habits from Panarin like always pulling up inside the zone and not driving play towards the net enough.

That line really wants to try to stretch the defense out and thread passes but most defenses (at least good ones) are far too disciplined at this point to fall for it over and over. IMO that line needs to play more downhill to the net...they can keep with the passing and all but make passes that are to guys going to the net not trying to feather it all the way across the ice to some guy who's just skating into the zone so now everyone has time to reset.



DUnno, I think he (Laf) could play a different style of attackign the net more if he had the linemates to do so. But also he's not really skilled enough himself, as so far as he's shown, to drive the line like that himself.

Lafreniere has been pulling up and looking for a pass through a pair binoculars since he was in the Q.

Not moving his feet enough was one of the few criticisms of his game coming up.

 

[Levitate]

Lafreniere has been pulling up and looking for a pass through a pair binoculars since he was in the Q.
Not moving his feet enough was one of the few criticisms of his game coming up.

And I think he could play a more productive game but most of his habits have been reinforced by Panarin.

But obviously it also helps to play with a guy like Panarin, as well.

I think it's silly to pull out this kind of talk about laf when he's not playing well right now. He played fine last year and parts of this year, btu this board loves to find a whipping boy

 

[Machinehead]

And I think he could play a more productive game but most of his habits have been reinforced by Panarin.

But obviously it also helps to play with a guy like Panarin, as well.

I think it's silly to pull out this kind of talk about laf when he's not playing well right now. He played fine last year and parts of this year, btu this board loves to find a whipping boy

When you look at Lafreniere and compare him to most other 1st overall picks, I think it's really condescending to tell people they just want to find a whipping boy.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Perreault was named to the tournament All-Star team with forwards Leonard and Stancl (CZH).

 

[mrmovies779]

When you look at Lafreniere and compare him to most other 1st overall picks, I think it's really condescending to tell people they just want to find a whipping boy.

did you have these same complaints about Laf vs the Panthers in the playoffs when the kid was doing everything he could to will his team to victory?You are a great poster,but man,you turn and flip opinions on this kid like people change their underwear

 

[noncents]

Or, crazy idea, he could put up more than 14 powerplay points in 5 seasons.

dunno why but your anti laf game hits much diff than your anti kakko. good shit

Man, Leonard is a force. The Rangers really could use a young power forward like him. Pissed that the Caps are getting him and we will have to deal with him in the division.

Plus Hutson, who actually was their MVP in the elimination round games.

 

[Machinehead]

dunno why but your anti laf game hits much diff than your anti kakko. good shit

You know what would hit?

Having a homegrown star at forward that's just great and we don't have to have discussions about how useful they are/can be, or what the problem is.

I'm sure Devils fans haven't had an argument about Hughes in four years. That's gotta be nice.

 

[Machinehead]

did you have these same complaints about Laf vs the Panthers in the playoffs when the kid was doing everything he could to will his team to victory?You are a great poster,but man,you turn and flip opinions on this kid like people change their underwear

He went right back to being f***ing useless.

If you don't change your opinion when the stimulus changes, you're not very smart.

 

[Machinehead]

Sure. Hischier on the other had, I'm sure they've had plenty to talk about even though he's a well-rounded player.

I expect laf to hit 55 points again this season once the dust has settled. But that, while not nothing, is not the continued growth NYR expected with his contract.

Assuming Laf continues to be a 50-60 point 2nd line player, that's only an OK contract, especially when factoring in that he's not an all situations player, the amount of RFA years, or a defensive force like Hischier. Still, I'm not opposed to including him in the right trade, but he's far down my list of concerns.

As a player, if you take what he is now, I don't know if I would say I'm particularly concerned. Not yet, anyway.

I think it's feasible that he gets back to being a 60ish point guy and he's a strong 5v5 attacker. At the price point we signed him, I think you need to get something out of him on special teams. That's going to be a priority.

A lot of my vitriol comes from having to read about it. Same with Kakko. Every day is another inane excuse about linemates and ice time. You can't even suggest maybe moving on without somebody screaming at you that he's (whatever age he is when the screaming is being done).

He's a 1st overall pick. The onus is on the player for being disappointing. The onus is on the player to get better.

 

[Fitzy]

As a player, if you take what he is now, I don't know if I would say I'm particularly concerned. Not yet, anyway.

I think it's feasible that he gets back to being a 60ish point guy and he's a strong 5v5 attacker. At the price point we signed him, I think you need to get something out of him on special teams. That's going to be a priority.

A lot of my vitriol comes from having to read about it. Same with Kakko. Every day is another inane excuse about linemates and ice time. You can't even suggest maybe moving on without somebody screaming at you that he's (whatever age he is when the screaming is being done).

He's a 1st overall pick. The onus is on the player for being disappointing. The onus is on the player to get better.

Sure. But we did hear a lot of "This guy will be very good, but not great" before the draft. He drew comparisons to Huberdeau when he was a 65-75 point player. Hardly a top 20 forward in the league.

The pre-draft vibe on the difference betwenchoices 1 and 2 felt a lot more like Tyler Seguin/Taylor Hall than Ovechkin/Malkin or McDavid/Eichel

So maybe the board collectively over-set our expectations.

Perreault, ironically enough, I see in that same tier. 70 points, first line complementary player or 2nd line X factor star on a top team.

 

[Machinehead]

Sure. But we did hear a lot of "This guy will be very good, but not great" before the draft. He drew comparisons to Huberdeau when he was a 65-75 point player. Hardly a top 20 forward in the league.

The pre-draft vibe on the difference betwenchoices 1 and 2 felt a lot more like Tyler Seguin/Taylor Hall than Ovechkin/Malkin or McDavid/Eichel

So maybe the board collectively over-set our expectations.

Perreault, ironically enough, I see in that same tier. 70 points, first line complementary player or 2nd line X factor star on a top team.

Huberdeau was well over 90 per 82 during his prime. Even that seems lofty.

 

[RempireStateBuilding]

You know what would hit?

Having a homegrown star at forward that's just great and we don't have to have discussions about how useful they are/can be, or what the problem is.

I'm sure Devils fans haven't had an argument about Hughes in four years. That's gotta be nice.

Who haven't Rangers fans argued about? There's not a single person in the organization, NHL 1st line through the ECHL lineup to the janitorial staff at XL Center, that has been spared.

People are throwing Fox out the door because he's hit the geriatric age of 26. But it's because Fox - and the entire team, save some of the kids who still have pulses - are playing well below their average and generally look like shit.

@nyr2k2 had a post recently about it being difficult/unfair to judge players during years like this where everything is just abject horror. In Laf's case, I agree it sucks he's not the level of your "stereotypical" 1OA where they impose their play style on the game. But like you also mentioned in one of your recent posts, this team's vet presence could be a detriment to the room right now.

I do think the vets are sucking the life force out of the kids and it's showing. Boring, bland, lifeless play from the top 6 is for sure a major dark spot. But Chytil's perseverance (and hopefully continued health), Cuylle's step forward, guys like Berard and Mancini getting their feet in the door are some bright spots that I like to hold on to. I can't not be excited for the bright spots because the dark spots exist.

This team won't always look like this, and they won't always suck like this.

They'll find new and innovative ways to suck, and the journey will probably not be fun but we'll do it anyway.

 

[Levitate]

When you look at Lafreniere and compare him to most other 1st overall picks, I think it's really condescending to tell people they just want to find a whipping boy.

no because I don't feel like people argue this in good faith.

Yes, he's a disappointment for a #1 overall. It's pure bullshit the Rangers wiffed on both of those picks through no fault of their own (they don't need help f***ing up)

BUt this board has a habit of talking down players like they're borderline AHL trash when people could display the slightest nuance

 

[Machinehead]

no because I don't feel like people argue this in good faith.

Yes, he's a disappointment for a #1 overall. It's pure bullshit the Rangers wiffed on both of those picks through no fault of their own (they don't need help f***ing up)

BUt this board has a habit of talking down players like they're borderline AHL trash when people could display the slightest nuance

I'm not saying that tendency doesn't exist, but I'm not seeing it with Lafreniere. I don't see people just shitting on him recently, and it's certainly nothing undue.

If anything, people are attacking Panarin to preemptively run defense on the next Laf excuse, because they know he's been bad.

If anybody fits what you're describing, it's Fox. the guy is having a slightly down year with still pretty good results and we're harping on absolute nonsense. When people get into "I don't like the way he looks/I don't like the way he acts/I don't like his hobbies," that's when you're getting into whipping boy territory. It's been done to Fox, Miller, Zibanejad, Trouba.

Nobody has said anything about Lafreniere that isn't a hockey take.

 

[Fitzy]

I guess my roundabout point is that as good as Gabe could be, I don't think he's the kind of guy you build a championship around either. Could he be a big part of a top 6 that wins a cup? Absolutely. But I see Perreault and Lafreniere more as a roster's Landeskog rather than it's MacKinnon

NYR will need a superstar all situations forward to win a cup. Finding one is going to be next to impossible. Top centers don't make UFA as the right age. Perreault, Othmann, Laf, Cuylle is a solid set of top 6 wingers, evem moreso if we keep Panarin, but you really need a Sakic/Yzerman/Crosby/Sundin/Barkov/Kopitar... you truly need a 22 minute all situations 1C there to make that a competitive roster. We knew Mika wasn't a top 10 league center but for a season or two he did provide that, which is what we're lacking. Trocheck is awesome but he's overplayed right now next to what he should be- prime Steve Rucchin lined up behind Adam Oates when the team was at its best.

And that's before we deal with the defense.

 

[Ratelleitlikeitis]

I guess my roundabout point is that as good as Gabe could be, I don't think he's the kind of guy you build a championship around either. Could he be a big part of a top 6 that wins a cup? Absolutely. But I see Perreault and Lafreniere more as a roster's Landeskog rather than it's MacKinnon

NYR will need a superstar all situations forward to win a cup. Finding one is going to be next to impossible. Top centers don't make UFA as the right age. Perreault, Othmann, Laf, Cuylle is a solid set of top 6 wingers, evem moreso if we keep Panarin, but you really need a Sakic/Yzerman/Crosby/Sundin/Barkov/Kopitar... you truly need a 22 minute all situations 1C there to make that a competitive roster. We knew Mika wasn't a top 10 league center but for a season or two he did provide that, which is what we're lacking. Trocheck is awesome but he's overplayed right now next to what he should be- prime Steve Rucchin lined up behind Adam Oates when the team was at its best.

And that's before we deal with the defense.

Or a Bergeron, who beyond his top level talent was willing to take a salary that allowed the team to chase titles.