The New York Rangers open up the 2025-26 National Hockey League season on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, and today they have finalized their opening night roster. As part of the final cuts, the team is sending down a player who has had success in the minors, and was thought to have a leg up on the competition in earning a roster spot.
Brett Berard returns to Hartford
Berard split his time between the Rangers and the Wolf Pack last season, and he now returns to the minors where he's had some success. The 2020 fifth rounder skated in 30 games for the Pack last season, and he posted a line of 9-14-23. He also skated in 35 games with the varsity squad and tallied 10 points (six goals and four assists). Berard was an energy player for the Rangers in his limited stint, but he failed to beat out Connor Sheary and Noah Laba for a spot in the lineup.
Berard debuted for the Wolf Pack during the 2022-23 AHL season after his collegiate season ended, and he went pointless in three games. He became an AHL mainstay the season after, and had a sensational rookie campaign which included 25 goals and 48 points in 71 games.
This news is obviously disappointing, but it is understandable why the decision was made. Noah Laba has a great camp, and was awarded for it, and the team wants to see what immediate impact he can have to start the season. The result of him making the roster appears to have Juuso Parssinen on the outside looking in, but we won't know for sure until the puck drops on Tuesday.
Berard in Hartford will be part of a talented group that also includes Brennan Othmann. Both have the opportunity to work together, make the most of the situation, and play at a level which forces the Rangers' hand should the opportunity arise.