Rangers trade to move up in the fifth round, draft Evan Vierling

The New York Rangers swapped two seventh round picks to San Jose for a fifth round pick and selected center Evan Vierling

It’s clear that the New York Rangers targeted players in the draft and were willing to trade up to get them. They did it in the first round to get Braden Schneider.  They did it by swapping Lias Andersson so they could draft Will Cuylle.  To get Evan Vierling in the fifth round they traded two seventh round picks to the San Jose Sharks.

The Blueshirts must have been concerned that Vierling wouldn’t be around long, even though the Rangers own the 134th pick, seven slots later.  With three picks in the last round, they were willing to give up two of them to be able to select Vierling.

Who is Evan Vierling?

Evan Vierling is an 18 year old , left-shot center who 6’0″ and 168 pounds.  He was the second overall pick in the 2018 OHL draft by the Flint Firebirds. He was traded by Flint to the Barrie Colts in January.  In 43 games split between Flint and Barrie, Vierling scored 14 goals and totaled 44 points.  He was one of the top scorers for Barrie though he played in fewer games than his teammates.

Here’s what Eliteprospects.com had to say about Vierling.  “Vierling is a defensively reliable, high-motor, two-way player, and a credible dual-threat scorer in the offensive zone. He’s actually pretty enthusiastic about mucking it up in the most hotly contested parts of the offensive zone. He’s even willing to take the puck there himself if he has to. He’s also a credible shooting threat, even at intermediate range.”

Vierling was the 66th best North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting.

Rangers draft left winger Brett Berard

With their second pick in the fifth round (#134) the Rangers selected Providence College winger Brett Berard.  He just turned 18 years old and played last year with the U.S. National Under 18 team and committed to Providence College this fall. The Rhode Island native is the first USA born player drafted this year by the Rangers.

Berard is a small forward, just 5’9″ and 163 pounds who scored 16 goals and 34 points in 41 games last season for the National team.

Steve Kournianos of The Draft Analyst raved about the pick.

Eliteprospects.com called him  a “high-octane offensive talent into a 5-foot-9 package. He sees an opportunity to shoot, pass, or support, and he immediately acts. He’s a dual-threat attacker with a bit of skill beyond the offense. He layers deception through false signals sent to the opposition with his eyes and through his body language. He works the puck through the defensive triangle.”

On the NHL Network they called him a “poor man’s Brad Marchand.”  If he is anything like the Bruins star, the Rangers will be happy.  Incidentally, he is not related to former Ranger Bryan Berard.   It looks like another character pick for the Blueshirts.