IT IS DONE: New York Rangers Right Winger Gabe Perreault is the odd out for new York rangers now with Edmonton Oilers, also sent a message to new York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan concerning…see more

In a move that has taken the NHL world by storm, promising young right winger Gabe Perreault has officially parted ways with the New York Rangers and signed with the Edmonton Oilers in a surprise mid-offseason transaction that has left fans stunned—and some teammates reportedly unsettled.

Multiple league sources confirmed that the 20-year-old Perreault, a former first-round pick (23rd overall in 2023), finalized a two-year, \$4.2 million deal** with Edmonton early Thursday morning after Rangers management informed him that he would not be part of their top-nine forward group for the upcoming season.

The Rangers’ crowded forward depth chart, along with the team’s commitment to veteran leadership under new head coach **Mike Sullivan**, left Perreault on the outside looking in. While the decision may make strategic sense on paper, fans and hockey insiders are already questioning whether New York has just let a future star slip through its fingers.

But perhaps the biggest headline came after the signing—when Perreault sent a respectful yet pointed message directly to his former head coach, one that signals both disappointment and a determination to prove his worth.

> “Coach Sullivan, I respect your vision. But I know what I bring to the ice. I’ll see you in the playoffs,” Perreault reportedly said in a text that was confirmed by a source close to the situation.

### From Prospect to “Odd Man Out”

Gabe Perreault, son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault, entered the league with a reputation for **elite playmaking**, **hockey IQ**, and a strong offensive ceiling. A standout at Boston College, where he put up **61 points in 39 games**, Perreault was seen by many as one of the Rangers’ most promising young forwards.

After making his NHL debut last season, Perreault registered **18 points (6 goals, 12 assists)** in just 34 games, despite limited ice time and occasional healthy scratches. Fans and analysts called for more usage, citing his vision, hands, and strong puck distribution in the offensive zone.

But with the arrival of Mike Sullivan—who prefers more structured, veteran-heavy systems—Perreault’s development path hit a wall.

Sullivan reportedly emphasized size, experience, and defensive accountability as prerequisites for consistent minutes. With the Rangers already carrying wingers like Artemi Panarin, Alexis Lafrenière, Blake Wheeler, and Kaapo Kakko, the numbers simply didn’t add up.

> “Gabe is a talented young man,” Sullivan said at today’s press conference. “But in the system we’re building, we had to make some hard decisions. That doesn’t mean he won’t succeed elsewhere. In fact, I’m confident he will.”

### The Oilers Jump In—And Cash In

No sooner had Perreault cleared the air with the Rangers than the **Edmonton Oilers** swooped in.

Fresh off a disappointing second-round playoff exit, the Oilers have been aggressive this offseason in reshaping their depth scoring around **Connor McDavid** and **Leon Draisaitl**. With wingers like Evander Kane aging and the third line still in flux, Edmonton saw Perreault as a perfect fit.

> “We’re excited to bring Gabe into our locker room,” Oilers GM Ken Holland said in a statement. “He’s young, hungry, skilled, and ready to take the next step. He complements our top six and has the potential to be a real difference-maker.”

According to team insiders, Perreault is expected to start training camp on a line with veteran **Ryan Nugent-Hopkins** and fellow rising star **Dylan Holloway**, giving Edmonton one of the most intriguing third lines in the Western Conference.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch, who previously coached Perreault at the junior level, was reportedly a driving force behind the move.

> “I know what Gabe can do when he’s empowered,” Knoblauch said. “We’re giving him that opportunity.”

### Fan Reaction: “A Head-Scratcher in New York”

News of Perreault’s departure has not gone over quietly in Manhattan. Rangers fans flooded social media with frustration, calling the move “short-sighted” and “another case of mismanaging youth talent.”

On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag **#FreePerreault** trended regionally for much of Thursday morning.

Hockey blogger and Rangers analyst Vince Mercogliano posted:

> “This feels like Déjà vu. Once again, the Rangers prioritize vets over upside. If Perreault blossoms in Edmonton, this will haunt New York for years.”

Even some of Perreault’s former teammates appeared surprised by the quick departure.

> “Tough to see a guy like Gabe go,” said Kaapo Kakko. “He worked hard. We were all pulling for him. He’s going to make noise in Edmonton.”

### What Perreault’s Message Really Means

The short but sharp message Perreault sent to Sullivan has drawn widespread attention—not because it was disrespectful, but because it was confident. It carried the tone of a young player who believes in himself and is determined to prove he was undervalued.

> “This isn’t bitterness. This is fuel,” said TSN’s Darren Dreger. “Perreault is sending a message not just to the Rangers, but to the entire league: Watch what happens now.”

In many ways, this could be the best thing for Perreault’s career. In New York, he was blocked by a logjam of veterans and playing under a coach building around defensive responsibility. In Edmonton, he joins a system more aligned with **speed, skill, and offensive creativity**—traits that play right into his strengths.

### What’s Next for the Rangers?

With Perreault gone, the Rangers still boast one of the league’s most experienced forward groups. But questions remain about their long-term development pipeline and commitment to young talent.

Mike Sullivan, known for winning two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, has been tasked with leading New York to postseason success now—not three years from now. That likely explains the emphasis on proven veterans and a conservative lineup structure.

But as the East gets younger and faster, critics argue that losing a player like Perreault could ultimately backfire.

> “If the Rangers flame out in the playoffs and Perreault is lighting it up in Edmonton, this story’s going to age very poorly,” said NHL analyst Emily Kaplan.

### Final Word: “It Is Done”—But It’s Just Beginning

As Gabe Perreault prepares to don the blue and orange of the Edmonton Oilers, one chapter ends and another begins. The young winger, now with a chip on his shoulder, enters a new environment where his talents may finally be given the room—and the respect—they deserve.

And for the New York Rangers, the spotlight now shifts to **results**. Because with every goal Perreault scores in Alberta, the pressure on Sullivan and the Rangers’ front office will only grow.