The Pittsburgh Penguins may call Gabriel Perreault's name on draft day.

Inside the Penguins draft coverage rolls on with another profile of a potential Pittsburgh Penguins' first round pick. Up next is another forward from the loaded United States National Team Development Program. Let's take a look at Gabriel Perreault.

Essentials: 

2022-23 Team: USNTDP

Position: Winger

Shoots: Left

Height and Weight: 5’11, 165 pounds

NHL Central Scouting: 10th (among North American skaters)

Elite Prospects: 31st

The Hockey News: 31st

2022-23 Stats: 63 GP, 53 G, 79 A, 132 P

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWiT7VF0e-M[/embed]

Player Breakdown:

Son of former NHLer Yannic Perreault, and brother of Anaheim Ducks 2020 first round pick Jacob Perreault, Gabriel figures to be the next second generation NHL player to make an impact professionally.

Perreault is an offensive dynamo, making up one-third of the USNTDP’s vicious top line this past season. He put up 132 points in 63 games last year, breaking the record for most points in a season for the program. Playing alongside two other top 15 prospects in the upcoming draft, Perreault still managed to stick out as a highly intelligent playmaker and scorer.

What stands out the most about Perreault’s game is his creativity. He has so many skills at his disposal to beat the defender and goaltender. He carries the puck with poise, can beat defensemen one-on-one with his stick handling and deking, and seems to always make the right play with the puck on his stick.

Perreault is an exceptional shooter also. Putting up 53 goals this past season, it’s clear he can put the puck in the net, but he’s not a puck-hog or shoot first player. His playmaking is what attracts you to his game, but it’s obvious upon further inspection he’s an equally skilled goal scorer. His offensive game is well-rounded, incredibly skilled, and projects into a top-six role at the NHL level.

What Needs to Improve:

While Perreault’s offensive game is nearly NHL ready, defensively he is far from a finished product. Playing on such a loaded line with the USNTDP, neither he nor his linemates were asked to play much defense and it shows in his game. Perreault shows a baseline level of engagement in the defensive zone, and it’s clear he wants to get to the offensive zone as quickly as possible. While he’ll certainly never be a penalty killing specialist, he needs to find another gear in his own end. Until he does, his NHL emergence will be continuously delayed.

He also doesn’t wow you with his speed. He’s a fine skater and is skilled enough to make plays in tight, but he lacks that separating speed that could really elevate him into a top-end player at the next level. It won’t detract teams, but it’s something you want to see improved over the next couple seasons of his development.

NHL Player Comparison: Kevin Fiala

NHL ETA: 2026

Perreault is still a few years away, but he figures to be an impact player as soon as he skates for an NHL team. He’s absurdly skilled and processes the game at an elite level, with some rounding out of his game and patience, Perreault is a future all-star. 

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