How healthy Brett Berard could crack Rangers opening-night lineup

Yahoo

4 days ago

Since he was selected in the fifth round of a very successful 2020 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers, Brett Berard has exceeded expectations time and again.
Now healthy after he played through a significant shoulder injury last season, Berard is a legit threat to make a run in training camp at a spot on the Rangers' opening-night roster.
'Yeah, summer's been good. Tore my labrum in the season, so just been rehabbing that,' Berard said in his intro at the Shoulder Check Showcase charity event last week in Stamford, CT.
That was a bit of a bombshell. It was known that the young forward, who turns 23 in September, was banged up at the end of the 2024-25 season — but not to that extent. Berard added that he didn't need surgery, but the injury did force him out of a commitment — and opportunity — to play for the United States at the World Championship.
'That happened (on Nov. 30) against Montreal, right when I got called up … Just kind of lingered all year, wore a brace all year. It was good to kind of get that situated,' Berard explained. 'It feels good, it feels strong. So just trying to get it all better, but we feel a lot better now.'After leading Hartford of the American Hockey League with 25 goals as a rookie pro in 2023-24, Berard made his NHL debut last season and finished with 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 35 games, largely in a bottom-six role.
Despite playing with that shoulder injury, Berard provided a spark more often than not, using his speed and tenacity to generate energy for a team that often needed a source of it during a miserable 2024-25 season.
In fact, two examples are when Berard stood out despite the rest of the lineup lacking much effort. On Nov. 27 against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Rangers were down 2-1 in the second period and looked like Thanksgiving turkeys. That is, until Berard scored his first NHL goal midway through the game with a sweet short-side snipe.
What was refreshing about this goal was it came on an odd-man, 2-on-1 rush with Mika Zibanejad. When so many teammates would look to feed the star, Berard instead looked off the pass and made the most of the scoring chance.On Dec. 15, it was a bit of deja-vu. The Rangers were down 3-0 in the second period against the St. Louis Blues in another throwaway game. Once again, halfway through the period, Berard outworked everyone else on the ice to grab a loose puck, throwing an off-balance shot short side past goaltender Joel Hofer to make it 3-1 while being surrounded by several Blues players.
In different ways, each goal showed Berard's willingness to grind it out at a higher level than most Rangers forwards did on these off nights. Sure, you can question his size (5-foot-9, 175 pounds) and sustainability at the NHL level. But you can't question his work ethic. There's a lot to like about Berard, who has a new coaching staff to impress this fall. But where does he fit in next season with the Rangers?
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Brett Berard's competition for Rangers roster spot
Berard is likely battling with the likes of Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault for a spot on the wing. While Perreault and Othmann are highly-touted prospects and former first-round picks, neither has scored an NHL goal yet, though each probably is ahead of Berard on the depth chart.
The Rangers likely envision a day down the road when Perreault and Othmann are top-six staples. That still leaves room for Berard as a solid third-line option. Next season, though, each of those three young forwards could be in contention for a spot on the third line.One, two, or even all three could begin the season in Hartford. Barring injury, it's hard to imagine a way that more than two at most will be on the opening-night roster. If opening night has a Rangers third line of say, Berard-Vincent Trocheck-Taylor Raddysh, that certainly has the makings of an identity line. Of course, Othmann is bigger (6-foot, 195 pounds) than Berard and did impress with his physical play in 22 NHL games last season, so he'd also be an intriguing option on an identity line.
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Othmann and Perreault present one obstacle for Berard. Then there's Conor Sheary. The 33-year-old signed a PTO with the Rangers and is direct competition for the third-line, left-wing slot, plus he helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win two Stanley Cup championships under Sullivan.
That said, Sheary had his contract bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning for a reason. His game has significantly dipped and should be someone who can push and mentor more than take someone's job come September. Juuso Parssinen is another younger (24) veteran who could be in competition for this roster spot as well. The vibe surrounding him seems more to see if he can win the 3C role — competing against Jonny Brodzinski — if the Rangers decide to play Zibanejad on the wing in the top six instead of at center.
Brett Berard doing all right things to prepare for Rangers opportunity
Spending the offseason training in Connecticut at Prentiss Performance Gym with several Rangers and other NHLers is certainly a great way for Berard to prepare for camp. Working out everyday with Adam Fox, Jonathan Quick, Matt Rempe, as well as the gym magnet Chris Kreider, and Trevor Zegras can only give him confidence ahead of next season.
That he's going to be 100 percent healthy when camp begins is another major plus. Berard may not have the size the Rangers are looking for, but he has the resiliency in his game that was lacking from the Rangers too often last season. That, to go along with a deceiving shot gives him a chance of turning some heads with the new Rangers coaching staff. Hard to imagine this is the Rangers plan A, but the ingredients are there to surprise some people. Even if temporary until Othmann and/or Perreault prove to be ready.
We've seen the undersized Sheary (5-foot-8, 182 pounds) flourish under coach Sullivan before. So why not Brett Berard?
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