Earlier this afternoon, the Rangers signed Gabriel Perreault to a three-year entry-level contract (ELC). The former first round pick was selected 23rd overall in the 2023 Draft. In two years with Boston College, Perreault totaled 35 goals and 73 assists for 108 points over 73 games.

After putting up 19 goals and 41 assists for 60 points in his freshman season, Perreault finished with 16 goals and 32 assists for 48 points as a sophomore. Featured on the potent top line that included former Capitals first round pick Ryan Leonard and potential 2025 top pick James Hagens, the 19-year-old forward teamed up with both Leonard and Hagens to help Team USA repeat as gold medal winners at the 2025 World Junior Championships in Ottawa. Both Perreault and Leonard each finished second in the tournament in scoring with 10 points.

Despite being ranked number 1 in the NCAA, Boston College had their season end last night when they lost to defending champion Denver 3-1 in the Regional Final. They fell short of their goal of winning the Frozen Four. It was a rematch of last year’s championship game, which Denver also won 2-0. The Pioneers shut down the Eagles to go back to the Frozen Four. They’ll try to repeat under coach David Carle.

For both Leonard and Perreault, that spelled the end of their collegiate careers. As expected, Leonard signed his ELC with the Caps earlier today. A dominant power forward who won Hockey East Player of the Year, he’ll join the first place Caps in Boston.

As for Perreault, it circulated that he wanted to sign with the Rangers. By signing him, Perreault will burn Year 1 of his ELC. The Rangers have eight games remaining in the regular season. Perreault is expected to join them in Tarrytown tomorrow to prepare for the Wild this Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.

It’ll be interesting to see how coach Peter Laviolette uses Perreault in the lineup. A good offensive player with excellent vision, he should be able to make linemates better with his passing. How well will he adjust to the pro game? He isn’t a big player, going five-foot ten, 179 pounds. Perreault has good instincts, which could be a plus when he makes his NHL debut. Assuming he plays on Wednesday, Nicholas Aube-Kubel is likely to come out of the lineup. He filled in for the injured Matt Rempe on the fourth line.

Unlike Brennan Othmann, who Laviolette was reluctant to use in a top six role until recently, Perreault can’t be babied. He has to play on a scoring line. Considering that they have Othmann with Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin, that means either J.T. Miller or Mika Zibanejad. As well as Jonny Brodzinski has played, he should be shifted to the checking line to make room for Perreault. Lately, Zibanejad has worked with Will Cuylle and Chris Kreider. Miller has teamed with Alexis Lafreniere and Brodzinski. The most likely spot would be on the right side.

Given their recent track record with former first round picks, who knows what to expect. Laviolette likes to lean on his more experience players in close games. Considering that they’re competing for the final wild card, I wouldn’t expect Perreault to see too much ice time in the third period against the Wild if it’s tight. The Rangers currently are ninth in the Eastern Conference with 77 points. The Canadiens also have 77 points but sit in eighth place due to having a game in hand. They’ll make it up on Tuesday when they host the Panthers. The Blue Jackets will also be in action hosting the Predators. The Islanders and Red Wings also have games tomorrow.

As far as making the playoffs goes, if they can win five of their last eight games, that would take the Rangers to 87 points. Given how mediocre the competition is, that should be enough to squeak in. With more regulation wins than the rest of the field, they hold the number one tiebreaker. I’ll delve more into what is a challenging schedule in the next post.

Let’s hope Perreault gets a fair shake.