Highly touted prospect Gabe Perreault scratched for Rangers loss to Flyers

Join Post Sports+ for exciting member-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.Just 10 days into his NHL career, Gabe Perreault had his first healthy scratch designation. The 19-year-old forward, who burned one year off his entry-level contract to report to the Rangers for the remainder of this season, played three games before head coach Peter Laviolette opted to scratch him in favor of Brett Berard in Wednesday night’s 8-5 loss to the Flyers.As a result, Berard slotted back onto the fourth line next to Sam Carrick and Chris Kreider.  “We’re going to put Berard back in the lineup, so again, 12 forwards.” Laviolette said Wednesday morning when asked of his reasoning behind the decision.

“Coming in, I think for a young player — especially straight out of college — there’s going to be times I think where you can teach him and show him and let him watch and learn and practice and play in some games, as well.Where he’s had good impact in the game, where the impact can be more.

He’s been good.”Averaging 13:31 of ice time through his first three appearances, Perreault has had two sets of wingers and has skated in both the top six and bottom six.After spending his first two games on the left wing of J.T.

Miller and Alexis Lafrenière, the 23rd-overall pick in 2023 was then put on the right wing of Carrick and Kreider in the 5-1 loss to the Lightning earlier this week. Perreault wrapped up his sophomore season at Boston College last month, after the Eagles lost to Denver in the NCAA Tournament Regional Final. Asked if there’s increased urgency to assess Perreault as much as possible considering how few games he would be around for, Laviolette firmly said no. “When we go back and look at the game, coaches sit down and go through things with him,” he said.“I think it’s a learning process for young players.

Whether it be practice, games, video, watching — could be a co...