New York Rangers Daily: Waiting on Gabe Perreault; Thatcher Demko return lifts Canucks
It’s expected, but we don’t know for certain, that Gabe Perreault will sign his first pro contract with the New York Rangers at the conclusion of his sophomore season this spring with Boston College.
Right now BC is gearing up for the NCAA Tournament and a hopeful Frozen Four appearance after flaming out in the Hockey East conference tournament. The vast majority of people I’ve spoken with on the men’s college hockey scene believe Perreault will turn pro after the Frozen Four or sometime this offseason. There are those, though, who believe the talented winger will return for his junior year should BC not win the national championship. But that’s the minority opinion.
Since it’s signing season for drafted and undrafted college players, anticipation is building about Perreault’s pending decision. Remember last spring the Rangers tried to sign 2022 fourth-round pick Noah Laba after his terrific sophomore season but he opted to return to play another season at Colorado College. Laba signed his entry-level contract last week and is in Hartford on an amateur tryout contract (ATO), where he scored a goal in his pro debut.
While Laba is a legit prospect, he’s no Perreault, who the Rangers hope can be an NHL star. The 2023 first-round pick is well-regarded for his high hockey IQ and elite skill level. His production has been legit at BC — 107 points (34 goals, 73 assists) in 71 games over two seasons. He also helped the United States win back-to-back gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships.
The 19-year-old has excelled playing under the spotlight for BC and Team USA and most believe he’ll thrive in the NHL. He’s New York’s most skilled prospect, so, again, his pending decision is highly anticipated.
Keep in mind, if BC makes a deep postseason run, the Frozen Four ends April 12. The regular season concludes for the Rangers on April 17 — and there’s no guarantee that there will be playoff games to follow. So, Perreault could hold off on making his decision until sometime in the offseason.
For now, the Rangers are their fans are simply waiting on Perreault.
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New York Rangers news
The Rangers practiced in Los Angeles and rookie Brennan Othmann took line rushes with Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin, a sign that he will get a top-six look Tuesday.
With Sam Carrick missing practice due to personal reasons, the Rangers recalled Nicolas Aube-Kubel from Hartford. He’s the only player on the roster with a Stanley Cup ring.
Speaking of Hartford, here’s our Wolf Pack weekly, featuring items on goalie Dylan Garand and towering forward Dylan Roobroeck.
ICYMI, the Rangers signed defenseman prospect Jackson Dorrington to an entry-level contract after he completed his junior year at Northeastern. Acquired in the J.T. Miller trade, Dorrington will finish the season on an ATO with Hartford.
Here’s a breakdown of the Rangers week ahead on their three-game California road trip.
NHL news and rumors
In a big hit to the Winnipeg Jets, who are first in the Western Conference, top-six forward Gabe Vilardi is week to week with an upper-body injury.
Don’t expect the Edmonton Oilers to pity the Jets. The Oilers will be without both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for at least each of their three games this week — and maybe longer. McDavid has a lower-body injury and Draisaitl has an undisclosed physical issue.
Speaking of missing at least every game his team plays this week, Tomas Hertl is not on the Vegas Golden Knights’ road trip due to an undisclosed injury.
Petr Mrazek had to leave the Detroit Red Wings’ 5-1 win against the Utah Hockey Club after a goal-mouth collision early in the game. Alex Lyon finished things off in a rare win down the stretch for Detroit.
In positive NHL injury news, Thatcher Demko returned for the Vancouver Canucks and backstopped them to a 4-3 shootout win against the New Jersey Devils.
Earlier Monday, our Ben Leeds wrote about how vulnerable the Devils are, cracks showing all over down the stretch of a season that started so well for them.
Islanders coach Patrick Roy called out the League’s video review system and officiating, blasting each after Kyle Palmieri’s last-second goal was disallowed because of goalie interference. The Islanders then lost 4-3 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a shootout. That the Islanders got one point and the Blue Jackets two wasn’t exactly the best news for the Rangers in the East playoff race.
Jeff Marek reports that Taylor Hall and the Carolina Hurricanes are working on a contract extension for the pending UFA forward.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed former Dartmouth forward Luke Haymes to a two-year, entry-level contract. The undrafted free agent had 41 goals in 83 career games with Dartmouth and will begin his pro career in the AHL on an ATO.
Mikael Backlund returned to Calgary Flames practice after the captain missed five games with an upper-body injury.
Jake Oettinger and the Dallas Stars shut out the Minnesota Wild 3-0.
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