Gabe Perreault a real possibility for the Detroit Red Wings at No. 9

Following a record-breaking season, Gabe Perreault might be the perfect pick for the Detroit Red Wings at No. 9 this coming Wednesday.

Perreault, 18, the son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault, is likely remembered by most Detroit Red Wings fans for his three stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Yanic Perreault played 14 seasons in the NHL, amassing 516 points over 859 games. When I think of Perreault, I remember him being a solid two-way depth center with tremendous success in the faceoff circle.

Gabe Perreault is coming off a stellar season with the ever-so-popular U.S. Hockey National Team Development Program. Perreault put up eye-popping numbers this past season, eclipsing star forward Auston Matthews’ single-season point total of 117 over 60 games. Perreault totaled 132 points over 63 games. If you’re wondering, the highly-touted Jack Hughes, who officially reached superstar level with the New Jersey Devils this past season, totaled 116 points in a single season with the U.S. National Team over 60 games during the 2017-18 season.

Perreault also totaled five goals and 13 assists over seven games with the gold-medal U.S. team at the U18 World Championship this past spring.

Gabe Perreault might be a perfect fit for the Detroit Red Wings when they select ninth overall.

The Athletic (subscription) recently released their consensus big board final rankings. Perreault had been ranked No. 16 and rose to No. 10 in the final vote. It’s been suggested that the 2023 NHL Entry Level Draft class is very deep, especially up front; there was not a single defenceman ranked in the top 10.

Cory Pronman placed Perreault 12th on his board, Scott Wheeler had him seventh, Chris Peters had him 11th, Craig Button placed him 15th, and Bob McKenzie ranked him tenth.

Central Scouting recently ranked Perreault as the tenth-best North American prospect, a bit lower overall than The Athletic.

"“He’s quick and clever with the puck,” Marr said. “Just a pure goal scorer. He’s a kid that wants the puck on his stick, but he showed that at top speed, he can make plays, he can get the shot off, he arrives on time. He’s just your pure, offensive, top-end player.”"

This ranking suggests that Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings may have an opportunity to select the crafty forward with their second first-round pick at No. 17 overall.

Perreault’s vision, creativity, and high hockey IQ and pedigree make him a prime target for Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings. Perreault doesn’t seem like a player that will need years of development in the minors and could quite possibly make an impact as soon as this season or next.

Here is more Detroit Red Wings draft news, in case you missed it.

Steve Yzerman won’t shy away from drafting Russian prospects.

The Detroit Red Wings select Zach Benson in one of the latest mock drafts.

With two first-round picks this year, there is reason to believe that Steve Yzerman may have something up his sleeve.