Brett Berard has rapidly impressed.
The Rangers rookie — whom the workforce drafted within the fifth spherical in 2020 — now has six video games within the NHL below his belt since being known as up from Hartford late final month.
He has one purpose and one help, although his intangibles drew reward from head coach Laviolette.
“Chatting with him today, I think the simplicity in his game is just trying to keep things simple,” Laviolette mentioned after follow on Friday. “Don’t overdo things, play to your strengths, your speed, your grit, he’s got skill when he needs it. … I understand he’s a guy who produces and can generate, but we like his compete and his speed. The way he gets into puck battles and the way he attacks the game with his speed.”
The 22-year-old Berard has emerged as one of many workforce’s prime prospects regardless of his modest draft choice.
He led Hartford with 25 objectives final 12 months, and his quickness is noticeable at his 5-foot-9, 175-pound body.
He has principally been skating on the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom.
“I think he’s done a really good job of making an impact on the game,” Laviolette mentioned. “His speed and his tenacity, I think he helps make a line very effective. I thought that line was excellent the other night [during the team’s 3-2 win over the Sabres on Wednesday] with regard to their game and just getting the puck into the right zone, keeping it there. The way they forecheck, the way that they competed on pucks, it was a really effective line. More of that.”
Urho Vaakanainen, who’s on injured reserve with an upper-body harm, continued to follow in a inexperienced non-contact jersey on Friday.
Together with a 2025 fourth-round choose, the Rangers acquired Vaakanainen from the Geese within the Jacob Trouba commerce.
However Vaakanainen has not but made his Rangers debut as he continues to rehab his harm.
Laviolette mentioned Vaakanainen “is taking steps in the right direction.”
Moreover Connor Mackey changing the injured Okay’Andre Miller subsequent to Braden Schneider on the second defensive pairing, the remainder of the Rangers’ traces remained the identical throughout Friday’s follow as they have been throughout Wednesday’s win.
After Friday’s follow, Laviolette had an extended chat with Filip Chytil, Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko on the ice.
The three have largely skated collectively on the third line this 12 months.
The Rangers known as up Chad Ruhwedel from Hartford.
He probably would be the workforce’s seventh defenseman.
