Rangers Expected to Sign Elite Forward Prospect to Entry-Level Contract

According to PuckPedia, the projected terms of Perreault's entry-level deal are a $830,000 base salary with a $95,000 signing bonus in his first of three years.

If the Rangers sign Perreault this week, it would burn that first year of the contract. 

USA Today's Vince Mercogliano reported that the Rangers would prefer to wait until 2025-26 to begin the first year of Perreault's contract, but the 19-year-old would financially benefit starting sooner than later.

You can understand why he'd want to start the clock on his entry-level contract right away and get on the fast track to bigger, future deals," Mercogliano said on X. "He and his agent could push for it, but from a #NYR perspective, I imagine they'd much rather start his ELC in the fall and get the full three seasons out of it. And while everyone I've spoken to raves about Perreault's skill, creativity and IQ, I've heard skepticism about whether he's physically ready to play NHL games right now. Maybe they force the Rangers' hand, but a stint in the AHL might be a wise stepping stone."

Perreault ranks as one of the game's most skilled players outside of the NHL. 

He became a college hockey scoring sensation in his two years at Boston College, collecting 60 and 48 points, respectively, in those campaigns. 

The transition to the physicality of the NHL could be a learning curve for Perreault, who weighs in at 170 pounds. But Perreault has cemented a reputation for being a effective playmaker by way of his elusive skating and hockey IQ. 

He's projected to join the top-six forward group on the Rangers, potentially playing alongside star center J.T. Miller.