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Rangers Daily: Is moving Perreault trick or treat?; Kucherov trade request bombshell
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- Rangers Daily: Is moving Perreault trick or treat?; Kucherov trade request bombshell
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Through the first month of the season, Gabe Perreault's been a constant in the New York Rangers top-six forward group. But as we approach November, it appears the 21-year-old forward will now have new linemates and play a bit lower in the lineup.
Friday at practice, Perreault skated on the third line with Noah Laba and Will Cuylle . This isn't viewed as a demotion, but more so a move to open a spot for the struggling Pavel Dorofeyev to play on New York's top line with Mika Zibanejad and leading scorer Alexis Lafreniere .
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Of course, that spot was Perreault's really since the final two months or so last season. He, Lafreniere, and Zibanejad displayed terrific chemistry, and coach Mike Sullivan did the logical thing and kept them together to begin 2026-27. Lafreniere did swap spots with Dorofeyev for several games, but Perreault pretty much skated each of his even-strength shifts with Zibanejad.
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Until now. The Rangers are a middle-of-the-pack team offensively — ranked 15th in the 32-team League — and their most explosive scorer, Dorofeyev, has only three goals in 14 games. So, Sullivan feels compelled to get him going.
"We're trying to find combinations that help the group have success," Sullivan explained Friday . "I feel the importance of balance, and so I feel when you look at how the lines are constructed right now, we feel like we have some balance."
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But the other part here is that the coach believes Perreault enhances whatever line he's on with his creative playmaking and elite hockey IQ. So, theoretically, this balances the Rangers lineup even more, with Perreault adding more offensive punch to that third line.
"Gabe's a good player, he's got a strong game, he's got a high hockey IQ, he's a competitive guy, he continues to progress," Sullivan said. "I think Gabe, no matter what line we put him on, he's going to bring certain elements to that line that's going to help it."
Whether this will be a Rangers trick or treat — gotta' sneak in a Halloween reference here — is yet to be determined. Will it unlock the breakout the Rangers desperately need from Dorofeyev? Will it be a positive or negative experience for Perreault, who has just one point (a goal) in his previous seven games and is tied for seventh on the Rangers with seven points (four goals, three assists) in 14 games?
We'll begin to find out Sunday, when the Rangers host Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden.
New York Rangers news and analysis
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The Athletic ($$): How's this stunner to start your day: Nikita Kucherov requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Pierre LeBrun weighs in on the shocking news, as well as the Lightning's public response, and howe got here with the reigning Hart Trophy winner who can be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.
Detroit Hockey Now: And in the Motor City, fallout from Dylan Larkin's suspension continues, with former NHL executive Doug MacLean scorching the ex-Red Wings captain and advising the team to "let him sit" unless they get the absolute perfect trade they've been seeking since his request.
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San Jose Hockey Now: Speaking of the Red Wings, Sheng Peng riffs on reports that the Sharks made a serious trade offer for holdout Detroit defenseman Simon Edvinsson that was rejected. But the Sharks could be a legit trade partner since the Red Wings seek a talented young center if they ever deal Edvinsson, and San Jose has plenty choose from.
New Jersey Hockey Now:Prior to their uplifting victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, James Nichols cranked up the concern-o-meter for several key Devils issues.
NHL.com:Connor Hellebuyck is 2 for 2 since being traded to the Devils, picking up his second win in as many starts Friday night.
TSN: Good news for the Toronto Maple Leafs, it appears defenseman Chris Tanev should be able to return from injury Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.
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Colorado Hockey Now: Bad news for the Colorado Avalanche: defenseman Josh Manson is out eight weeks with an ankle injury.
Sportsnet: Rory Boylen breaks down six key takeaways from the first month of the NHL season.
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