New York Rangers rookies report to training camp this Wednesday, and shortly after that they will be joined by the veterans as we inch closer to start of the 2025-25 National Hockey League schedule getting underway. Heading into both camps the team will be looking for options who can step into big roles, and there may already be one returning player in the driver's seat to take a wing spot on the third line.
Blue Line Station has already written about Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann, and now seems like the logical time to focus on Brett Berard, a plucky winger with great energy that could be the next great development story for the franchise. Over the last two decades there have been countless examples of later draft picks who brought energy and excitement in addition to unexpected contributions. Names like Carl Hagelin (sixth rounder in 2007) and Ryan Callahan (fourth rounder in 2004) come to mind, and Berard feels like he has the potential to be a blend of the two.
Berard is already exceeding expectations
Berard joined the organization as a fifth round pick, 134th overall, during the 2020 NHL Draft. He was a bit overlooked given his 5'9" stature, but was lauded for his tenacity and shiftiness as a dual threat passer and shooter. He played for the U.S. National U18 team and the USNTDP Juniors team in the USHL prior to being drafted, and was quite productive there with 34 points in 41 NTDP games, and 18 points in 13 USHL games.
Berard got off to a slow start at Providence College, but during his final two seasons he posted a line of 28-34-62 in 72 games. The Rangers' fifth rounder turned heads his rookie season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and ended the season with 25 goals, 23 assists, and 48 points in 81 regular season games, and six points (one goal and five assists) in 10 playoff games.
Berard's early stint with team went positive, despite being potentially held back by injury.
It was revealed in July that Berard tore his labrum in November, just after his call up, and it's impressive and potentially shortsighted that he played through the injury and was still able to contribute. Last season Berard appeared in 30 AHL games (nine goals, 14 assists, and 23 points) and 35 games with the varsity squad in New York.
During that time he posted a line of 6-4-10 while skating 10:43 per night. If Berard was able to have that type of impact while hurt, you have to wonder what he will look like healthy after a long summer of rest.
Berard will face competition in camp, and the key thing he needs to improve on is defensive play. His underlying numbers weren't great, to be fair that's true of many 2024-25 Rangers, and they include a 42.22 GF%, a 46.4 CF%, and a 42.68 xGF% courtesy of Evolving-Hockey. If you are unfamiliar with these numbers, anything above 50% is good.
Mike Sullivan joining the organization could help Berard develop further
The hiring of Mike Sullivan hopefully will give the Rangers better overall structure. Berard feels like the type of high energy player that have thrived under Sullivan in the past, and while he is certainly smaller, I think there's a chance for him to develop into a Bryan Rust like player. Rust started off slow with 11 points in 41 games at age 23, 28 points in 57 games at age 24, and 38 points in 69 games at age 25. This past season, at age 32, Rust finished with 65 points in 71 games.
I don't know if Berard will ever be that productive, but even a "lite" version of Rust would be great for the Blueshirts. The long story short here is that Rust was brought along slowly and earned more opportunities under Sullivan, and a player like Berard could be in line to enjoy similar chances.
The season will be here before you know it, and the Rangers will be well rested heading into the new season. Last year was a disaster they want to put behind them, and training camp offers an opportunity for them to finalize a roster that has depth and balance. Berard could provide the team both of those things, and even though he appears to have a leg up, he will have to earn it. He's clearly capable of doing so, and it will be fascinating to see how things play out.