Struggles Continue for Gabe Perreault and the Rangers

Gabe Perreault, like many young hockey players, enjoyed his share of successes before joining the NHL, especially during his time with the U.S. Hockey National Team Development Program and Boston College, where he reached the national title game in 2024.

However, after a promising start, including two goals on January 14, Perreault has only managed one assist and no goals in his last eight games. The Rangers have faced significant challenges, losing seven of those matches and currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

“There’s definitely a lot of learning,” said Perreault after practice on Tuesday in Tarrytown. “Losing isn’t enjoyable, but if you learn from it, it can help you win more in the future.”

At just 20 years old, the Rangers selected Perreault as their 23rd overall pick in 2023. With the recent struggles, he, along with several other young talents, is stepping into a larger role. This shift occurs as general manager Chris Drury reaches out to fans and decides against extending Artemi Panarin’s contract.

Although the Rangers are likely to miss the playoffs for the second year in a row, Perreault is determined to make the most of the remaining season.

“Regardless of winning or losing, having a positive mindset is crucial,” he remarked, adding that maintaining this attitude is essential every day.

The upcoming regular-season stretch will be particularly important for young players like Perreault and Noah Laba. “You need to seize every opportunity, whether in practice or in games. Learning from seasoned teammates is invaluable,” he noted.

A significant struggle for the Rangers during this tough period has been their goaltending, especially without Igor Shesterkin. With Shesterkin on injured reserve since January 5 and dealing with a lower-body injury, the team has had to rely more on Jonathan Quick than they would prefer.

Quick, who recently turned 40, and his teammate Spencer Martin have found it challenging to manage increased playtime effectively.

The duo has allowed at least five goals in two of their last three games, leading to losses in both matches. Statistics show that among goalies who have played as many games as Martin, his .864 save percentage and 4.13 goals-against average are among the worst in the league.

“He has a chance to help us,” said coach Mike Sullivan regarding Quick, who is now on his fifth NHL team. “I think he’s made some critical saves and plays the puck well. He adds depth to our goaltending situation.”