NHL Draft: Rangers take right wing Gabriel Perreault with their first-round pick

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Every NHL team runs through dozens, if not more, of draft simulations before the actual event. So there tend to be few unforeseen scenarios. Yet John Lilley, the Rangers director of scouting and player development admitted to a “little bit” of surprise that Gabriel Perreault was still available with the 23rd pick in the NHL Draft.

When he was, the Rangers didn’t hesitate to use their first-round pick on the 5-11, 165-pound right wing on Wednesday night at Bridgestone Arena.

“We’re very excited,” Lilley said. “He’s got an elite hockey sense and offensive instincts. He was really high [on our list] and we valued him as a staff.”

Perreault, who will play at Boston College this season, broke Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews’ Team USA Under-18 record with 132 points on 53 goals and 79 assists.

“It’s really special,” said Perreault, who holds dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship. “You look up to the names in that [National Team Development] Program and to be able to have my name up there is definitely pretty special.”

The draft concludes on Thursday with rounds two through seven. The Rangers own four more picks and Lilley said the organization would concentrate on the best available players and not necessarily draft for positional needs.

“It’s a good draft,” Lilley said. “I think every year produces lots of good hockey players. So it’s a strong group.”

Perreault’s father, Yanic, played 859 games in the NHL from 1993-2008.

Lilley described Gabriel Perreault as being “one step ahead” on the ice with good stickwork, vision and his shot.

“He just stood out with the overall skill level,” Lilley said.

Sort of like his father.

“I haven’t seen him too much but I’ve heard I’ve got a good amount [of his game],” Perreault said. “He’s always been really skilled so I hear that a little bit.”

Right wing was definitely a position of need for the Rangers but Perreault won’t offer immediate help.

And while there were plenty of trades and signings before the draft began, the Rangers, tight against the $83.5 million salary cap ceiling announced for 2023-24, had little room to be among the league’s pre-draft movers and shakers.

President/general manager Chris Drury has approximately $71 million allocated to eight forwards, five defensemen and goalie Igor Shesterkin for next season and key restricted free agents Alexis Lafreniere and defenseman K’Andre Miller to re-sign.

It’s unlikely the Rangers can afford to re-sign unrestricted free agents Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko.

Losing valuable fourth-liner Tyler Motte as a UFA would dent the Rangers’ depth and speed.

Versatile Barclay Goodrow could be traded to create additional salary cap space. Goodrow has four seasons remaining on a six-year, $21.85 million deal and his modified no-trade clause allows him to submit a 15-team no-trade list.

The Rangers will almost certainly be looking for a backup goalie after Jaroslav Halak went 10-9-5 with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage on a one-year, $1.5 million deal.

 Halak’s agent, Allan Walsh, announced via Twitter on Wednesday that the 38-year-old will test the market as an unrestricted free agent.

“Goalie Jaroslav Halak is 100% committed to playing in 2023-24 and will be available as a UFA on July 1,” Walsh tweeted. “He needs 5 more wins to reach the milestone of 300 career wins. Will be coming back for his 18th season.”

Drury is likely looking for a cheaper option. Jonathan Quick, 37, who won two Stanley Cups with the Kings and finished last season buried on Vegas’ depth chart as the Golden Knights won the Cup, is a possibility. Quick is from Milford, Connecticut.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.