New York Rangers Top Prospect Named Early Favorite To Win The 2026 Calder Trophy
Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
The New York Rangers will have one rookie in the hunt for the Calder Trophy this season in Madison Square Garden. That will be former 1st-round pick of the Rangers, Gabe Perreault. Perreault had a small sample size in the NHL last season with 5 games. Can he capitalize upon his opportunity this year?
Last season, the Calder Trophy race was won by defenseman Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens. He'd tie Larry Murphy with most assists by a rookie defenseman and eclipse players like Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov.
Now, the Rangers will have a player in the hunt for the prestigious award in former Boston College Eagle forward Gabe Perreault.
Perreault has been blessed with an excellent shot, which helped him excel in the NCAA with a PPG of 1.63, ending the 2023-24 season with a points total of 60.
Is Gabe Perreault A Calder Trophy Finalist?
The son of the face-off king, Yanic, was selected 23rd overall in the 1st-round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Rangers. And if he can perform up to his selection this season, the Rangers could find themselves in the hunt for the playoffs.
Along with Perreault's role as a utility forward, he could end up being a contender for the rookie MVP award in the NHL (Calder Trophy).
A slew of star collegiate players signed their entry-level contracts at the end of the season, and could easily be set for major minutes of their own. Sam Rinzel fills a need for right-shot defense for the Blackhawks and Oliver Moore seemed to bring his slick-passing to Chicago, Gabe Perreault looked like a strong utility player with the New York Rangers, and Ryan Leonard showed an ability to match the Washington Capitals' pace.
As long as he continues to develop physically, the rest of his game should mature, and being able to utilize his lethal shot to beat defenders and goalies is the key focus of Perreault's 2025-26.
That means Mike Sullivan will have to put Perreault in situations where he won't be pushed off the puck, and teammates will have to help create space for him, wherever he slots into the lineup.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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