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The 2023 NHL Draft is shaping up to be a memorable one for New York Rangers supporters, particularly because of the selection of forward Gabe Perreault with the 23rd overall pick. At the time, the choice drew skepticism from some analysts who were uncertain how to assess the talented winger's potential. However, after making his regular-season debut in the 2025-26 campaign, those who believed in Perreault have been validated. He has looked like a legitimate top-six forward capable of producing nearly a point per game.
Perreault's strong debut has propelled him up the rankings in a re-draft conducted by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic. In this revised order, Perreault ends up with the Rangers' rival, the Philadelphia Flyers, at pick No. 7. As a result, New York loses Perreault and instead selects left winger Andrew Cristall with the 23rd pick in the re-draft. Cristall, originally a second-round selection by the Washington Capitals at No. 40 overall, also saw a significant rise in his draft position.
Key Analysis
Wheeler originally had Cristall ranked 13th on his board, indicating that the player has yet to fully meet expectations. Cristall's production has been strong—he recorded 60 points (20 goals, 40 assists) in 72 AHL games with the Hershey Bears during the 2025-26 season. He nearly made the Capitals' NHL roster out of training camp the previous year but fell just short. However, concerns about his size, playing style, and skating have caused evaluators to doubt whether his success will translate to the NHL. Wheeler noted that while he may have been too high on Cristall, the player remains one of the few available in the late first round who could contribute on a power play. At just 21 years old, Cristall still has time to develop, but he is widely considered a downgrade from Perreault. The Rangers appear to have secured a true steal by landing Perreault at No. 23 in the actual 2023 draft.