Brett Berard was immediately impressed.
The Rangers rookie, who the team drafted in the fifth round in 2020, has now appeared in six NHL games since being called up by Hartford late last month.
He has one goal and one assist, but his intangibles drew praise from head coach Laviolette.
“Talking to him today, I think the simplicity of his game is just trying to keep things simple,” Laviolette said after Friday's practice. “He plays to his strengths, his speed and his guts, without forcing himself. He has the skill when he needs it. … We know he's a productive, generative guy. But we like his competitiveness and his speed. The way he gets into puck battles and uses his speed to attack the game.”
Berard, 22, has emerged as one of the team's top prospects despite being a modest draft pick.
He led Hartford in scoring with 25 goals last year, and his speed stands out for his 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame.
He has primarily skated in the fourth row with Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom.
“I thought he did a really good job of influencing the game,” Laviolette said. “I think his speed and tenacity help make the line very effective. I thought that line the other night was great. [during the team’s 3-2 win over the Sabres on Wednesday] As for their game, it's just getting the puck in the right zone and keeping it there. The way they forechecked, the way they competed with the puck, it was a really effective line. It's more than that. ”
Urho Vaakanainen, who is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, continued to practice Friday in a green non-contact jersey.
In addition to a 2025 fourth-round pick, the Rangers acquired Vaakanainen from the Ducks in a trade for Jacob Trouba.
However, Vaakanainen is yet to make his Rangers debut as he continues to rehabilitate his injury.
Laviolette said Vaakanainen is “moving in the right direction.”
The rest of the Rangers' line remained the same during Friday's practice as it was during Wednesday's win, except for Connor McKee replacing the injured Qu'andre Miller as the second defensive pairing next to Braden Schneider.
After Friday's practice, Laviolette had a long conversation on the ice with Filip Sittil, Will Quill and Kaapo Kakko.
The three have been skating together primarily on the third line this year.
The Rangers drafted Chad Ruhwedel from Hartford.
He will likely be the team's seventh defender.
