Through the first month of the season, Gabe Perreault’s been a constant in the New York Rangers top-six forward group. But as we approach November, it appears the 21-year-old forward will now have new linemates and play a bit lower in the lineup.

Friday at practice, Perreault skated on the third line with Noah Laba and Will Cuylle. This isn’t viewed as a demotion, but more so a move to open a spot for the struggling Pavel Dorofeyev to play on New York’s top line with Mika Zibanejad and leading scorer Alexis Lafreniere.

Of course, that spot was Perreault’s really since the final two months or so last season. He, Lafreniere, and Zibanejad displayed terrific chemistry, and coach Mike Sullivan did the logical thing and kept them together to begin 2026-27. Lafreniere did swap spots with Dorofeyev for several games, but Perreault pretty much skated each of his even-strength shifts with Zibanejad.

Until now. The Rangers are a middle-of-the-pack team offensively — ranked 15th in the 32-team League — and their most explosive scorer, Dorofeyev, has only three goals in 14 games. So, Sullivan feels compelled to get him going.

“We’re trying to find combinations that help the group have success,” Sullivan explained Friday. “I feel the importance of balance, and so I feel when you look at how the lines are constructed right now, we feel like we have some balance.”

But the other part here is that the coach believes Perreault enhances whatever line he’s on with his creative playmaking and elite hockey IQ. So, theoretically, this balances the Rangers lineup even more, with Perreault adding more offensive punch to that third line.

“Gabe’s a good player, he’s got a strong game, he’s got a high hockey IQ, he’s a competitive guy, he continues to progress,” Sullivan said. “I think Gabe, no matter what line we put him on, he’s going to bring certain elements to that line that’s going to help it.”

Whether this will be a Rangers trick or treat — gotta’ sneak in a Halloween reference here — is yet to be determined. Will it unlock the breakout the Rangers desperately need from Dorofeyev? Will it be a positive or negative experience for Perreault, who has just one point (a goal) in his previous seven games and is tied for seventh on the Rangers with seven points (four goals, three assists) in 14 games?

We’ll begin to find out Sunday, when the Rangers host Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden.

New York Rangers news and analysis

Happy Halloween! Guess which Rangers player dressed up as Tinker Bell at their annual costume party.

Marty Biron weighs in on which recent massive development impacts the Metropolitan Division playoff race more: Igor Shesterkin’s season-ending knee injury for the Rangers, or the Devils acquiring Connor Hellebuyck.

Good news for the Rangers as injured goalie Joonas Korpisalo took a “big step” by participating in part of practice with his teammates Friday.

So, if those trade rumors are legit that Matt Rempe is coveted by the Edmonton Oilers, then the Rangers really should get the towering forward back in the lineup Sunday when the Oilers visit Madison Square Garden.

Lou Orlando checks in on Jack Roslovic, a flop with the Rangers a couple years ago, who’s off to a career-best start with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

NHL news and rumors