Gabe Perreault reacts to move down to Rangers' second power-play unit

Rangers forward Gabe Perreault discusses his demotion to the second power-play unit after J.T. Miller's return from injury.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:44am

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Gabe Perreault, a former first-round pick and one of the most productive Rangers players since the Olympic break, was moved down to the team's second power-play unit when J.T. Miller, the struggling Blueshirts captain, returned from injured reserve last week. Head coach Mike Sullivan insisted it wasn't a demotion, but Perreault said he wasn't surprised by the decision, citing the success of the top power-play unit. Despite the move, Perreault continued to contribute, setting up a goal in the Rangers' recent game against the Wild.

Why it matters

Perreault's move down to the second power-play unit highlights the Rangers' depth and the tough decisions head coach Mike Sullivan has to make in managing his lineup. The team's power play has been one of the best in the league, and Sullivan is prioritizing keeping that top unit intact, even if it means demoting a talented young player like Perreault. This decision could have implications for Perreault's role and development going forward.

The details

Gabe Perreault, the former first-round pick and one of the most productive Rangers players since the Olympic break, was moved down to the team's second power-play unit when J.T. Miller, the struggling Blueshirts captain, returned from injured reserve last week. Head coach Mike Sullivan insisted it wasn't a demotion, even if the optics suggested that. Perreault said he wasn't surprised by the decision, citing the success that the top power-play unit has generated before as a reason why. Despite the move, Perreault continued to contribute, setting up a goal in the Rangers' recent game against the Wild.

  • Last week, J.T. Miller returned from injured reserve.
  • On Monday, Perreault spoke to the media about the move.

The players

Gabe Perreault

A former first-round pick and one of the most productive Rangers players since the Olympic break.

J.T. Miller

The struggling Blueshirts captain who returned from injured reserve last week.

Mike Sullivan

The Rangers' head coach who insisted Perreault's move to the second power-play unit was not a demotion.

Mika Zibanejad

A mainstay on the Rangers' top power-play unit.

Adam Fox

A mainstay on the Rangers' top power-play unit.

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What they’re saying

“Not really," Perreault told The Post on Monday when asked if he was surprised. "Those guys have been really good all year. They're out there for a reason, and when they're out there, we have a lot of trust in those guys. I mean, power play's been one of the best in the league for a while now.”

— Gabe Perreault, Rangers forward

“Obviously, every time you want to get out there, especially on the power play, you want to score, so it was nice for us to get one and help the team.”

— Gabe Perreault, Rangers forward

What’s next

The Rangers will continue to monitor Perreault's role and production as they navigate the remainder of the regular season and prepare for the playoffs.

The takeaway

Perreault's move down to the second power-play unit highlights the tough decisions head coach Mike Sullivan has to make in managing the Rangers' deep and talented roster. While it may be seen as a demotion, Perreault's continued contributions show his professionalism and commitment to the team's success.