Gabe Perreault is the real deal

As the Rangers continue their struggles, minus last night, there have been some comparisons to the “dark ages” of 1998-2004. For those unfamiliar, this is when the team famously spent copious amounts of money on high-priced stars, only to be met with years of mediocrity and lackluster play. It’s easy to see the comparison, but there are some stark differences, as the Rangers farm system isn’t a barren wasteland and Gabe Perreault is proving he’s the real deal.

Certainly, with the money currently invested in Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and a few others coupled with their less-than-stellar play could definitely compare this year’s issues with the dark ages. The team’s problems, even when winning, seemed to have reared their head with no end in sight. Even bad teams win games, after all.

The inclusion of no-trade and no-move clauses certainly makes attempting to move on a bit more difficult. But as mentioned above, the Rangers prospects make this feel different from the dark ages, as they already have an infusion of youth at the NHL level with more help coming. Notably, Gabe Perreault is most certainly the real deal.

The Rangers have been better at building a pipeline of prospects with real skill and depth to the organization—players who can make a legitimate impact rather than just filling a roster spot. For years and especially during those dark ages, this lack of meaningful talent held the team back. Whether it stemmed from poor scouting or subpar trades, the Rangers often lacked the players capable of stepping up and driving the team forward.

Perreault is different. A standout prospect at the forefront of this new wave, Perreault’s high hockey IQ and elite hands make him a key part of Boston College’s dominant top line, playing alongside Washington Capitals draft pick Ryan Leonard and 2025 NHL Draft phenom James Hagens.

This season, Perreault has been exceptional. He’s tied for fifth in the nation with 23 points and third with 16 assists, continuing the offensive dominance he showed as a freshman when he racked up 60 points (19 goals, 41 assists) in 36 games. No other U-20 college player has matched his scoring over the past two years.

Perreault came out hot to start the 2025 World Junior Championships. In the Americans’ opening game against Germany, the U.S. lit up the scoreboard with 10 goals, and Perreault contributed impressively with two goals and an assist. In the Americans’ matchup against Switzerland, Perreault notched 3 assists to help the US move onto the semifinals. So far, his performance has brought optimism to Rangers fans as it looks as if they’ve struck gold with this pick.

His offensive prowess isn’t exactly surprising. In 2022-23, Perreault shattered the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s single-season points record with 79 assists and 132 points—outpacing stars like Patrick Kane, Jack Hughes, and Auston Matthews.

Yet, despite his incredible production, Perreault slipped to 23rd in the 2023 NHL Draft. The main concern? His skating. On international ice, he often struggled to keep pace in transition, frequently trailing plays. While he thrived in stationary offensive situations, his lack of mobility was glaring in more dynamic scenarios—an issue that doesn’t translate well to the NHL.

Fast forward a year, and Perreault has silenced many of his critics. A dedicated offseason in the weight room noticeably improved his skating, first evident during the 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase and increasingly clear throughout his freshman season. While his skating isn’t yet a strength, it’s no longer a liability, and he appears ready to handle the faster pace of NHL play.

With his perceived weaknesses diminishing and his offensive skill set shining, Perreault is emerging as a high-end prospect for the Rangers. Currently, Perreault projects as a dynamic, playmaking forward capable of thriving on the power play and driving offensive production. He’s shown more patience and control with the puck, adapting his game to tougher, faster competition at the college level.

For Perreault to succeed in the NHL, he’ll need to be placed in an offensive role that leverages his strengths. While the transition to the pro ranks won’t be as easy as his time in development leagues, his skill set and hockey sense give him the tools to become a major contributor for the Rangers.

Whether or not it’ll be Chris Drury or someone else at the helm, the Rangers will need to cultivate his talent to be the head of a group that features players like Adam Sykora, Brennan Othmann, Drew Fortescue, Victor Mancini, and E.J. Emery along with young NHLers Will Cuylle and Brett Berard. This youth infusion will complement the next core with Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere, and Adam Fox.

This list of solid young names is why this is not going to be the dark ages. At least, assuming Drury doesn’t make an awful trade. There’s hope, but only if the Rangers begin the transition to the new core when the time comes.