The New York Rangers have hit the ice for their slate of preseason games. And this means fans have had a chance to see Mike Sullivan behind the NHL bench. Sullivan was hired this summer after departing the Pittsburgh Penguins following the 2024-25 season.
Sullivan is expected to turn things around for the Rangers. They had a massively disappointing season in 2024-25. As a result, they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. New York had internal expectations of competing for the Stanley Cup last year. To say they came up short would be an understatement.
The Rangers shook up their roster this summer to try to get a better mix in the room. This has also created a chance for younger players to step up and claim an NHL job for themselves. There’s no young prospect in New York’s pipeline with more buzz about them than Gabe Perreault.
Perreault was seen as a steal when he was drafted 23rd in the 2023 NHL Draft. He has continued emerging as a promising player with a bright future ahead of him. He could become one of New York’s better players sometime soon if things continue going well.
Sullivan was asked about Perreault following New York’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. The Rangers coach reiterated that he sees an NHL talent in the former first-round pick. As for his role, Sullivan had an intriguing answer.
“I don’t think he needs to be a top six player. I think it’s important that he gets minutes and that he plays because it’s probably in the best interest of his overall development, which would in turn be the best interest of the New York Rangers. Whether that takes place in New York or in Hartford is yet to be determined,” Sullivan said, via New York Post reporter Mollie Walker.
Gabe Perreault Makes Preseason Impact
Elsa/Getty ImagesGabe Perreault is one of the brightest prospects in the New York Rangers’ system.
The Rangers have already played two of their six preseason games to this point. Perreault has skated in each of those games. And in each game, he has made an impact.
New York began its preseason with a clash against the New Jersey Devils. It did not take long for the young Blueshirts hopeful to make himself known. Perreault opened the scoring at just 3:12 into the contest.
The Rangers went on to win this game by a score of 5-3. As mentioned, though, they dropped their most recent game to the Bruins 5-4 in overtime. However, Perreault also made an impact in this game, scoring a goal in the second period that put New York ahead 2-1 at the time.
Perreault is certainly leaving an impression on the scoresheet. He has also made contributions away from the puck, as well. “We’re really encouraged by his game. He seems to get better with each game that he plays,” Sullivan said of Perreault, via Walker.
Rangers’ Perreault Adapting To Mike Sullivan’s Teachings
There is a lot riding on a preseason performance for a young player. They need to perform well in order to break into the roster. But with a new coach, they also need to adapt to what the new bench boss wants from his team.
Perreault has been working at balancing these two things. After the game, he admitted that he is putting both of these on equal footing. And he believes he’s done well adapting to what Sullivan wants.
“I think it’s definitely a little bit of both. Sully has definitely touched on that. I think we’re all here for a reason, we kind of got to showcase that, but on top of the non-negotiables that he’s said — the puck battles, effort, attitude,” the young Rangers forward said, via Daily Faceoff’s Jonny Lazerus.
All of those little things and I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that so far, trying to piece those two things together and show what I can do, but also those non-negotiables.”
The Rangers begin their 2025-26 regular season campaign on October 7th against Sullivan’s former Penguins team.
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