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

RangersFan1994

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I have a serious question, I like how he plays both wings, but with his smarts, and hockey IQ, has he ever played center in the past, and does anyone think he would be like Kevin Hayes in the sense turns from winger to center in the pro game. Could it be possible he plays center in college?
 

GAGLine

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I have a serious question, I like how he plays both wings, but with his smarts, and hockey IQ, has he ever played center in the past, and does anyone think he would be like Kevin Hayes in the sense turns from winger to center in the pro game. Could it be possible he plays center in college?
Doubtful. All of Perreault, Smith and Leonard are going to BC. There's an extremely good chance they will be on a line together, as they were in the USNTDP. Smith was the center on that line, Perreault LW and Leonard RW.
 

mas0764

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This board doesn't allow for optimism though. We're only getting worse, never better.

Well that is the standard outcome rather than the exception for 30+ year old players, so its what we should expect and then be pleasantly surprised if otherwise.
 

HockeyBasedNYC

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“I’d be excited if I was a team (picking him),” Muse said when asked about the potential for more growth and development. “I see what he has done here and you’ve got to have somebody that’s going to be all in to make strides off of the ice in terms of nutrition and doing the right things and I’ve seen it now for a year and a half. What you’re seeing now versus if you go back a year and a half, he has made monster strides in that area already and that only indicates that he’ll continue to make strides moving forward. He took full advantage of the strength program. From Day 1, he was doing extra.”
Added Muse: “He’s awesome. He’s a guy that you look forward to seeing every day. He’s a super competitive kid. … He’s a guy who loves being in the rink, loves being with his teammates, and those are the types of people you want to have and be working with every day.”
“There’s a lot of different records at the NTDP and that’s a pretty big one,” Muse said. “And he has done a great job of just continuing to play. That’s a big record but I don’t think, just seeing how he has gone about his day-to-day, you would never know that it’s something on his mind at all. He just went out there and he played.

“I’m happy for him.”

Saw these quotes from Muse about Gabe, before he was hired by the Rangers.

Pretty cool stuff.
 

Rongomania

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Saw these quotes from Muse about Gabe, before he was hired by the Rangers.

Pretty cool stuff.

Would be very cool to really 'boom' on this pick. We kinda f*cking deserve it.

Sooo many similarities between Gabe's write ups and the write ups about foxy I recall reading when we traded for him.
 

HockeyBasedNYC

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The thing I'm loving about Gabe is the raving about his work ethic.

It appears his father is not only a fantastic teacher but has lit a fire under both of his sons, and the younger of the two who seems to have a chip on his shoulder and is out for something to prove.

He has completely bought into the USDP program, both on and off the ice - and just as important - at home with his nutrition and training when no one is watching (maybe his Dad, lol)

Sometimes it takes a while for a kid to "get it". Doesnt seem to be the case with Gabe.

Both Kakko and Laf were top billed prospects and while I can't speak to Laf's training (Simply because we haven't heard or seen much over the offseasons, just going by articles, social media, etc.) we know Kakko participates in some rigorous off-season training with Ratanen and his crew in Finland.

But the difference here is we are hearing it first hand from his coaches, friends and family at the age of 16-17. Those two were never billed as such. No one was gushing (at least from what ive read) about their work ethic. Doesnt mean they wont be as prepared, but it doesnt hurt in that regard if you know you are and have the correct habits from the start.

We have heard similar things about players like Austin Matthews and Bedard. Tireless work ethics, almost obsessed with improving all parts of their games. Thats a really good sign for Gabe's and the Rangers future.
 
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SnowblindNYR

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5 points in 5 games. I think all 5 came in the last 3 games. He has looked good from what I've seen of him, making plays. His one goal was off a good defensive play he made for a breakaway.

He's playing in about 5 minutes on ESPN+ if you want to watch him.

I feel like college football is a lot closer to NFL football than college hockey is to NHL hockey. I don't know if I'd be able to watch a college hockey game. But man am I tempted super excited about Perreault.
 
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GENESISPuck94

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Is he still 3-4 years off or is there hope for quicker?
Hopefully he goes the Derek Stepan route. 2 years in NCAA -> NHL.

I bring up Stepan because they have similarities. Perreault looks to have much better offensive instincts and much better release. But, both are/were intelligent players that had knocks on their skating, but think/thought the game better than most of their peers.

I think because Perreault has high natural abilities and intelligence, he can make it before 3-4 years.

Also, Dan Muse being around. Rangers maybe selected Perreault on input from Muse to begin with. I bet he will want to work with Perreault before long. I suspect Muse is having an impact on Lafreniere right now. I think he will have an impact on future incoming young Rangers players like Othmann and Perreault.
 

Synergy27

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Over a PPG right away as a freshman in the NCAA. Leading the team with 6A in 6 games, almost all of them primary as well.

This system needs a goal scorer but this kid really is shaping up to be an absolutely elite playmaker.

I continue to love this pick and feel very lucky that he dropped to us.
 

SnowblindNYR

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Over a PPG right away as a freshman in the NCAA. Leading the team with 6A in 6 games, almost all of them primary as well.

This system needs a goal scorer but this kid really is shaping up to be an absolutely elite playmaker.

I continue to love this pick and feel very lucky that he dropped to us.

Can he be Adam Fox as a winger?
 
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