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

[Machinehead]

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.

I don't think you're wrong, because they're doing it to Fox, and he is that level of player.

This fabase has a type and I don't think that type exists. It's open season on anybody who's not and nobody is. Rangers fans want their star player to be Rambo, and also be a Hall of Fame talent. Folks, there was one Mark Messier and he's going to be 64 this month. It's over.

Still, I don't ever recall having a pissing match within the fanbase about Aaron Judge, or Jalen Brunson, or Sabrina Ionescu, or Mohammed Salah, or even Eli Manning who had a few warts.

The Rangers are my only team that haven't had a relatively stress-free offensive superstar, and all of the above are current except for Manning. I don't think that's our fault. I think that's the team's fault.

 

[bhamill]

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. It’s 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.

Gabe is not a peripheral player. He goes wherever on the ice the play needs to be. In all zones. One of the forwards I saw coming back to help in front of his goalie, as if he was the center. He goes to the net, he plays along the boards in the muck when it’s the right place to be. He doesn’t cause physical havoc but he certainly doesn’t avoid contact. As he is in every other part of his game he’s f***ing SMART about it. He doesn’t do ANYTHING purely for the sake of doing it, he does whatever he has to to make the smart, correct, effective play. When he gets big and strong enough to hit effectively I don’t doubt we will see more of that too.

And he’s always raised his play in big games. Not sure why you think that will change once he is a pro…

All in all we really lucked out getting this kid.

 

[JohnC]

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

If Laf turns things around and plays out the rest of the season the way he looked last year expect MH’s opinion to totally flip flop. It’s the way of the world.

I like the guy, but consistently inconsistent is his MO.

 

[Machinehead]

If Laf turns things around and plays out the rest of the season the way he looked last year expect MH’s opinion to totally flip flop. It’s the way of the world.

I like the guy, but consistently inconsistent is his MO.

This is such a bullshit take and I resent it.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

I think we’re underestimating parts of Perrault’s game here. In part due to the fact that he plays with Leonard.

He’s never going to be a bull in front of the net, but he goes into the traffic areas. He’s got great perception and is a pretty effective forechecker as a result (see his assist last night).

He didn’t do it last night, but he also steps up and commands the puck in big moments. The NCAA final was the best example of this.

These are Leonard’s superlatives so everyone is going to look insufficient in comparison. I don’t think perimeter player is a fair description of Perrault though.

Edit: I also don’t think we saw Perrault’s best in this tournament either. I’d give him a B-, he was solid but has another level. That alone is reason to be excited.

 

[Profet]

I don't think you're wrong, because they're doing it to Fox, and he is that level of player.

This fabase has a type and I don't think that type exists. It's open season on anybody who's not and nobody is. Rangers fans want their star player to be Rambo, and also be a Hall of Fame talent. Folks, there was one Mark Messier and he's going to be 64 this month. It's over.

Still, I don't ever recall having a pissing match within the fanbase about Aaron Judge, or Jalen Brunson, or Sabrina Ionescu, or Mohammed Salah, or even Eli Manning who had a few warts.

The Rangers are my only team that haven't had a relatively stress-free offensive superstar, and all of the above are current except for Manning. I don't think that's our fault. I think that's the team's fault.

Jagr? But yeah.

 

[Machinehead]

Jagr? But yeah.

I had a good time with Jagr and his teams but it was a pretty short window.

 

[DanielBrassard]

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

Huberdeau is far more skilled and has far better vision than Laf at this level. And he wasn’t #1 overall either.

 

[Fitzy]

Jagr? But yeah.

Until we lost Nylander, Straka declined and ended up on the 3rd line, and Jagr was out there with Dubinsky and Isbister.

 

[noncents]

Gabe is not a peripheral player. He goes wherever on the ice the play needs to be. In all zones. One of the forwards I saw coming back to help in front of his goalie, as if he was the center. He goes to the net, he plays along the boards in the muck when it’s the right place to be. He doesn’t cause physical havoc but he certainly doesn’t avoid contact. As he is in every other part of his game he’s f***ing SMART about it. He doesn’t do ANYTHING purely for the sake of doing it, he does whatever he has to to make the smart, correct, effective play. When he gets big and strong enough to hit effectively I don’t doubt we will see more of that too.

And he’s always raised his play in big games. Not sure why you think that will change once he is a pro…

All in all we really lucked out getting this kid.

I love Perreault and think he's the steak of the draft and will put up big seasons.

But I believe he is ultimately an excellent Robin. a guy you can win with as Robin.

He's not Batman.

tbh i'm not sure Leonard is Batman either.. he might have been in this wjc but NHL is just different.

 

[bhamill]

I love Perreault and think he's the steak of the draft and will put up big seasons.

But I believe he is ultimately an excellent Robin. a guy you can win with as Robin.

He's not Batman.

tbh i'm not sure Leonard is Batman either.. he might have been in this wjc but NHL is just different.

IMO the US does not win that gold without Perrault. Or without Leonard for that matter.
Not every team that wins the cup has a Messier/Batman. In fact few do.

 

[SeanAveryTheGreatOne]

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)

Don't know about that... I still think KK and Laf develop far better if drafted elsewhere. I think, just like NYR has great goalie development, it has atrocious forward development.

 

[Levitate]

This is such a bullshit take and I resent it.

You are 100% a "what have you done for me lately" poster

which isn't bad but you really go all in, whichever way things are swinging

Don't know about that... I still think KK and Laf develop far better if drafted elsewhere. I think, just like NYR has great goalie development, it has atrocious forward development.

I think they develop better but I don't think they were ever the talents we hoped they'd be

e: Jagr was a good time but maybe even by year 2 people were complaining about him a bit iirc

 

[Machinehead]

You are 100% a "what have you done for me lately" poster

which isn't bad but you really go all in, whichever way things are swinging

Let me throw some names at you

Chris Kreider
Adam Fox
Ryan Lindgren
Kaapo Kakko
Vince Trocheck
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Mika Zibanejad
K'Andre Miller
Braden Schneider
Will Cuylle
Brett Berard
Artemi Panarin

If I've changed my opinion in a significant way on any of these players in the last 18-24 months, please show me the receipts.

This is some absolute made up Schroedinger's Machinehead bullshit.

Lafreniere was garbage, transformed into Bill Guerin for a year and change, and then became garbage again. I responded accordingly, as did most other people.

@JohnC Show me your evidence, guy.

 

[kovazub94]

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

Outrages thought - making PP2 more cohesive and able to produce if PP1 is not going...

 

[Fitzy]

Outrages thought - making PP2 more cohesive and able to produce if PP1 is not going...

I haven’t broken down the points vs time on ice, but I’ve gotten the impression that if you were to extrapolate out the estimated PP conversion rate assuming the second unit played the whole thing, power plays would be awful.

I could count anecdotally the number of “good” second units that regularly get production in their 45 seconds on one hand

 

[Machinehead]

I haven’t broken down the points vs time on ice, but I’ve gotten the impression that if you were to extrapolate out the estimated PP conversion rate assuming the second unit played the whole thing, power plays would be awful.

I could count anecdotally the number of “good” second units that regularly get production in their 45 seconds on one hand

Second units are terrible and don't score a lot.

Almost everyone playing on second units since Lafreniere came into the league has more points on them than Lafreniere does.

Both things are true.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

If Laf turns things around and plays out the rest of the season the way he looked last year expect MH’s opinion to totally flip flop. It’s the way of the world.

I like the guy, but consistently inconsistent is his MO.

prisoner of the moment

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Gabe is not a peripheral player. He goes wherever on the ice the play needs to be. In all zones. One of the forwards I saw coming back to help in front of his goalie, as if he was the center. He goes to the net, he plays along the boards in the muck when it’s the right place to be. He doesn’t cause physical havoc but he certainly doesn’t avoid contact. As he is in every other part of his game he’s f***ing SMART about it. He doesn’t do ANYTHING purely for the sake of doing it, he does whatever he has to to make the smart, correct, effective play. When he gets big and strong enough to hit effectively I don’t doubt we will see more of that too.

And he’s always raised his play in big games. Not sure why you think that will change once he is a pro…

All in all we really lucked out getting this kid.

I guess the whole tournament was peripheral-ish then. Wasnt really any checking with a purpose or plan behind it. I guess thats ok and usual for the age group. Im not disagreeing with you. I think Gabe will be a very good NHL player.

I just think that in seeing how the current core has operated over the past several season, skill first approach - he fits that mold almost perfectly. And to what Machinehead said, its more of the same kind of niche sets of skill and not a sum of all parts character that yields an un-identifiable team persona.

What bothered me the most with the current Rangers team was the failed playoff series against a smaller/faster Devils team. They were the better team and the game plan was to lean on them and they tried to take the easy way out.

Then stronger possession teams that understood how to take the body at the right times in Tampa and Florida did a number on them. To me those types of teams will always win and while Gabe can do the heady and skill stuff he wont be doing the things defensively and on the forecheck paired with it to win it all. Sure they can win Presidents Trophys and division championships but when the shit hits the fan and you have only 1 or 2 players who can also do the dirty work its never enough.

Or maybe they can surround him with players that do... I dont know. Just my thought

 

[kovazub94]

I haven’t broken down the points vs time on ice, but I’ve gotten the impression that if you were to extrapolate out the estimated PP conversion rate assuming the second unit played the whole thing, power plays would be awful.

I could count anecdotally the number of “good” second units that regularly get production in their 45 seconds on one hand

Most PP2 suck because there are not enough good puck handlers (for a lot of team - not even enough for PP1). Pierreault would definitely fit this bill. Is he singlehandedly going to make our PP2 world beaters? Probably not but he could make it better and become a legitimate option to be the “next man up” right away.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I don't think you're wrong, because they're doing it to Fox, and he is that level of player.

This fabase has a type and I don't think that type exists. It's open season on anybody who's not and nobody is. Rangers fans want their star player to be Rambo, and also be a Hall of Fame talent. Folks, there was one Mark Messier and he's going to be 64 this month. It's over.

Still, I don't ever recall having a pissing match within the fanbase about Aaron Judge, or Jalen Brunson, or Sabrina Ionescu, or Mohammed Salah, or even Eli Manning who had a few warts.

The Rangers are my only team that haven't had a relatively stress-free offensive superstar, and all of the above are current except for Manning. I don't think that's our fault. I think that's the team's fault.

I think there has been plenty of criticism of Manning. He was hated on for years and even now is a pretty controversial player.

 

[bhamill]

I guess the whole tournament was peripheral-ish then. Wasnt really any checking with a purpose or plan behind it. I guess thats ok and usual for the age group. Im not disagreeing with you. I think Gabe will be a very good NHL player.

I just think that in seeing how the current core has operated over the past several season, skill first approach - he fits that mold almost perfectly. And to what Machinehead said, its more of the same kind of niche sets of skill and not a sum of all parts character that yields an un-identifiable team persona.

What bothered me the most with the current Rangers team was the failed playoff series against a smaller/faster Devils team. They were the better team and the game plan was to lean on them and they tried to take the easy way out.

Then stronger possession teams that understood how to take the body at the right times in Tampa and Florida did a number on them. To me those types of teams will always win and while Gabe can do the heady and skill stuff he wont be doing the things defensively and on the forecheck paired with it to win it all. Sure they can win Presidents Trophys and division championships but when the shit hits the fan and you have only 1 or 2 players who can also do the dirty work its never enough.

Or maybe they can surround him with players that do... I dont know. Just my thought

Guess we will find out. I don’t totally disagree with you. In some ways he IS more of the same, but MORE. Especially IQ wise. Watching him pretty regularly on ESPN+, he does play defense. He does forecheck, with the purpose of getting the puck. Not of inflicting damage. I think he’s just smart enough to know when he’ll be wearing himself down more than the opposition. As he fills in I think that part of his game amplifies a little. Where he is NOT more of the same is his motor and his commitment. He RAISES his play in big games. I only WISH that was “more of the same”… just imagine if Pan and Zibs were doing that…
Anyway, I think we are basically on the same page.

 

[Machinehead]

I think there has been plenty of criticism of Manning. He was hated on for years and even now is a pretty controversial player.

He's a controversial player in general but I don't know any Giants fans who don't love Eli. I had pretty good confidence in Eli most of his career.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Has a Ranger ever won two of these things before?

 

[McRanger92]

Will be good to have a couple of #winners like Gabe and Otter joining the team over the next year or so.