New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan made a surprising decision at practice Friday by removing rookie forward Gabe Perreault from the team’s top power-play unit just as the young winger has been performing at a high level offensively.
With team captain J. T. Miller recovering from an upper-body injury and preparing to return, Sullivan inserted the veteran back onto the first power-play group during practice in Minnesota. If Miller plays in Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Wild, he is expected to join the top unit alongside Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafrenière, Vincent Trocheck, and Adam Fox.
Sullivan defended the adjustment, noting that the Rangers’ power play has been effective for much of the season and that Miller has historically been an important contributor to the unit’s success. The Rangers currently rank eighth in the National Hockey League with a 24.1 percent power-play conversion rate.
A key factor in the unit’s success has been Fox, who quarterbacks the top group. When Fox is in the lineup, the Rangers convert nearly 30 percent of their power plays, compared to just 19 percent during the 27 games he missed earlier this season because of injuries.
Miller has also been productive on the power play, tied for third on the team with four power-play goals this year and owning 72 power-play goals in his NHL career. As team captain and one of the highest-paid players on the roster at $8 million per season, his return naturally places him back in a prominent role.
However, the move raises questions because Perreault has recently emerged as one of the Rangers’ most exciting young contributors. The 20-year-old winger has recorded 17 points (seven goals and 10 assists) in 32 games this season, including four points on the power play.
Since the Olympic break, Perreault has developed strong chemistry with Zibanejad and Lafrenière, helping drive the Rangers’ recent 5-1-2 run over their last eight games. Their connection has been noticeable both at even strength and on the top power-play unit, with New York converting five of nine opportunities during its current three-game winning streak.
Given that the organization is focusing on developing younger players during its roster retool, some observers question why Perreault wouldn’t remain in a role where he has been thriving.
Sullivan emphasized that the decision is not final and said the coaching staff is still evaluating combinations that maximize player strengths, such as balancing left- and right-handed shooters.
Despite the change, Perreault will continue playing on the Rangers’ top line at even strength, though he is expected to skate on the second power-play unit alongside players like Conor Sheary and Taylor Raddysh.
When asked whether the adjustment could slow Perreault’s recent momentum, Sullivan dismissed the idea, saying the rookie should not view the move as a demotion and that the team will continue helping him develop his game.
Perreault enters the matchup riding a three-game point streak with six points (two goals and four assists) and has totaled nine points over his last nine games.
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