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TARRYTOWN - It only took three games for Gabe Perreault to get the healthy scratch treatment that so many young players before him have experienced.
Even with the Rangers teetering on the edge of playoff elimination − and with only five regular-season games remaining for the 19-year-old rookie to soak in NHL ice time − head coach Peter Laviolette apparently sees value in having him sit out Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. home game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
"The players that come right from college, not always is it right into the NHL and into the lineup in an impactful situation," Laviolette said. "There's a learning process that goes with it. I think playing games is important. I think practicing at a high level is important. There's video that goes with it. There's communication. There's sometimes taking a step back and watching a game, too."
Rangers projected lineup tonight: With the latest on their dwindling playoff hopes
A long list of Rangers' prospects have heard a familiar message in recent years, including fellow first-round forwards Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, Alexis Lafrenière and Brennan Othmann.
Some have grown frustrated by the scratch tactic − Kakko memorably vented, "It’s just easy to take the young guy and put him out" on Dec. 17 and was traded to Seattle the very next day − but it hasn't deterred multiple coaches from playing the yo-yo game.
"It’s been great to have him here," Laviolette said of Perreault. "But that doesn't necessarily mean you’re always in the lineup."
Perreault's situation is unique because he began the first year of his entry-level contract with only eight games remaining in the season. It was his preference to jump straight from his sophomore season at Boston College into the NHL, which top NCAA players increasingly have the leverage to insist on.
The Rangers would have preferred to wait and start the contract at the beginning of next season − giving them a full three years on the ELC, as opposed to two plus a few extra games − but understandably acquiesced to ensure a smooth relationship with their No. 1 prospect.
In theory, that should have increased the urgency to maximize the remaining schedule and provide Perreault with a runway into next season. And while Laviolette initially recognized that by inserting the 5-foot-11, 178-pound winger directly into the top six, he was dropped to the third line by his third game and removed entirely by game No. 4.
Perreault did not register a point while posting a minus-one rating and 43.02% xGF in those first three appearances, according to Natural Stat Trick. He notched four total shots on seven attempts with a takeaway and two giveaways while averaging 13:31 time on ice.
"He's been good," Laviolette said. "Coaches will sit down and go through things with him – the times where done some things that he's had an impact, and times where he can be better."
Another young forward will benefit from Perreault's removal.
Brett Berard will slot back in after being scratched in three of the last seven games, including Monday's 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Laviolette indicated he'll play on a line with veterans Chris Kreider and Sam Carrick.
"He's played some good games for us," Laviolette said. "He brings energy."
The Rangers essentially need to win out to have any chance at the playoffs.
They enter Wednesday trailing the Montreal Canadiens by eight points for the Eastern Conference's second and final wild card. Two more losses would officially knock them out, as would three points of any kind from the surging Habs, who won their sixth straight with a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
"We’re still fighting here," Laviolette insisted.
His decision to scratch Perreault suggests he believes it will help the Rangers overcome those long postseason odds, even if it comes at the expense of their future.
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Gabe Perreault scratched: NY Rangers remove rookie from lineup vs Flyers
Continue reading...
Even with the Rangers teetering on the edge of playoff elimination − and with only five regular-season games remaining for the 19-year-old rookie to soak in NHL ice time − head coach Peter Laviolette apparently sees value in having him sit out Wednesday's 7:30 p.m. home game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
"The players that come right from college, not always is it right into the NHL and into the lineup in an impactful situation," Laviolette said. "There's a learning process that goes with it. I think playing games is important. I think practicing at a high level is important. There's video that goes with it. There's communication. There's sometimes taking a step back and watching a game, too."
Rangers projected lineup tonight: With the latest on their dwindling playoff hopes
A long list of Rangers' prospects have heard a familiar message in recent years, including fellow first-round forwards Kaapo Kakko, Vitali Kravtsov, Alexis Lafrenière and Brennan Othmann.
Some have grown frustrated by the scratch tactic − Kakko memorably vented, "It’s just easy to take the young guy and put him out" on Dec. 17 and was traded to Seattle the very next day − but it hasn't deterred multiple coaches from playing the yo-yo game.
"It’s been great to have him here," Laviolette said of Perreault. "But that doesn't necessarily mean you’re always in the lineup."
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Perreault's situation is unique because he began the first year of his entry-level contract with only eight games remaining in the season. It was his preference to jump straight from his sophomore season at Boston College into the NHL, which top NCAA players increasingly have the leverage to insist on.
The Rangers would have preferred to wait and start the contract at the beginning of next season − giving them a full three years on the ELC, as opposed to two plus a few extra games − but understandably acquiesced to ensure a smooth relationship with their No. 1 prospect.
In theory, that should have increased the urgency to maximize the remaining schedule and provide Perreault with a runway into next season. And while Laviolette initially recognized that by inserting the 5-foot-11, 178-pound winger directly into the top six, he was dropped to the third line by his third game and removed entirely by game No. 4.
Perreault did not register a point while posting a minus-one rating and 43.02% xGF in those first three appearances, according to Natural Stat Trick. He notched four total shots on seven attempts with a takeaway and two giveaways while averaging 13:31 time on ice.
"He's been good," Laviolette said. "Coaches will sit down and go through things with him – the times where done some things that he's had an impact, and times where he can be better."
Another young forward will benefit from Perreault's removal.
Brett Berard will slot back in after being scratched in three of the last seven games, including Monday's 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Laviolette indicated he'll play on a line with veterans Chris Kreider and Sam Carrick.
"He's played some good games for us," Laviolette said. "He brings energy."
The Rangers essentially need to win out to have any chance at the playoffs.
They enter Wednesday trailing the Montreal Canadiens by eight points for the Eastern Conference's second and final wild card. Two more losses would officially knock them out, as would three points of any kind from the surging Habs, who won their sixth straight with a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
"We’re still fighting here," Laviolette insisted.
His decision to scratch Perreault suggests he believes it will help the Rangers overcome those long postseason odds, even if it comes at the expense of their future.
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Gabe Perreault scratched: NY Rangers remove rookie from lineup vs Flyers
Continue reading...
