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Gabe Perreault, USNTDP (Jenae Anderson / The Hockey Writers)

Rangers’ Top Prospect Gabe Perreault Expected to Sign ELC

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Sam Henes | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 3:10 PM ET

Per reporting from Emily Kaplan, Boston College sophomore and 23rd-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Gabe Perreault, will be signing his entry-level contract (ELC) with the New York Rangers as early as today. Perreault and Boston College were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament last night after a 3–1 loss to the University of Denver Pioneers. His college career concludes with 35 goals and 73 assists for 108 points in 73 games. Perreault also won back-to-back gold medals at the World Junior Championship with the USA, tallying 10 points in seven games each time.

What Perreault’s Arrival Means for the Rangers

With nine games left in their season and tied for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot with the Montreal Canadiens, who have one game in hand, the Rangers’ playoff hopes are coming down to the wire. The question is whether Perreault will immediately jump into the NHL or play games in Hartford with the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Wolf Pack first. It could be beneficial for Perreault to play for the Rangers rather than the Wolf Pack, as the Rangers are in the midst of a playoff race while Hartford is playing out the dog days of its season and is almost certainly going to miss the playoffs. Perreault could be a spark plug for the Rangers.

He has been an elite player at every level throughout his career. In 2022-23, he recorded 132 points—the most in a single season by any player in the history of the United States National Team Development Program. This is a program that has produced the likes of Jack Hughes, Auston Matthews, Cole Caufield, Matthew Tkachuk, and Perreault’s now-former linemates: Will Smith of the San Jose Sharks and Ryan Leonard, who also signed his ELC with the Washington Capitals today and will likely make his NHL debut tomorrow when they take on the Boston Bruins. The Rangers could benefit from giving Perreault the same opportunity to prove he belongs.

How the Rangers Should Deploy Perreault

If the Rangers elect to immediately thrust Perreault into the lineup, they must not make the same mistakes they have made many times in the past. He needs to be given the opportunity to learn and grow, and not from low ice time hockey on the bottom six. He should be given a top-six role with power-play time. For the first time in nearly five seasons, the Rangers are actually using two power-play units, and Perreault should be on one of them.

If the Rangers do decide to give him top-six minutes, playing him with J.T. Miller and Will Cuylle would allow him to thrive offensively, as he would be paired with two of the Rangers’ best defensive forwards. The issue with putting him on that line is that they seem to have found chemistry with Alexis Lafrenière recently and it may be tough to justify breaking them up. In that case, they could put him on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin, but the Rangers could also slot Lafrenière back onto that line, which has struggled at times this season but was one of the best lines in hockey last season.

If Perreault is sent to Hartford, there is no question he should be playing top-line minutes and on the first power-play unit. The Wolf Pack have seven games left and sit nine points out of a playoff spot. There is no reason to not immediately play Perreault on the top line and power play if it is decided that he should begin his professional career in the AHL.

A New Chapter Begins

Finally, while the contract details have not been revealed, it is important to note that by signing Perreault to his entry-level contract—a three-year deal—before July 1, this season will count as the first year of that deal (the entry-level slide rule does not apply to him as he turns 20 before the end of the year.) This means Perreault will reach restricted free agency after the 2026–27 season. While that could raise concerns about accelerating his contract timeline, there is no reason not to sign the deal if the Rangers believe they are getting a player who can slot into the lineup and make an immediate impact.

Whether it’s in New York or Hartford, Perreault is ready for the next step. He’s done everything you can ask of a prospect, and now it’s on the Rangers to give him the right opportunity. With the playoffs on the line, there’s no better time to find out what he can do.