Brett Berard has quickly impressed.
The Rangers rookie — whom the team drafted in the fifth round in 2020 — now has six games in the NHL under his belt since being called up from Hartford late last month.
He has one goal and one assist, though his intangibles drew praise from head coach Laviolette.
“Chatting with him today, I think the simplicity in his game is just trying to keep things simple,” Laviolette said after practice 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 the team’s top prospects despite his modest draft selection.
He led Hartford with 25 goals last year, and his quickness is noticeable at his 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame.
He has mostly 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 said. “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 is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, continued to practice in a green non-contact jersey on Friday.
Along with a 2025 fourth-round pick, the Rangers acquired Vaakanainen from the Ducks in the Jacob Trouba trade.
But Vaakanainen has not yet made his Rangers debut as he continues to rehab his injury.
Laviolette said Vaakanainen “is taking steps in the right direction.”
Besides Connor Mackey replacing the injured K’Andre Miller next to Braden Schneider on the second defensive pairing, the rest of the Rangers’ lines remained the same during Friday’s practice as they were during Wednesday’s win.
After Friday’s practice, Laviolette had a long chat with Filip Chytil, Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko on the ice.
The three have largely skated together on the third line this year.
The Rangers called up Chad Ruhwedel from Hartford.
He likely will be the team’s seventh defenseman.
