Photo credit: NHL.com
The New York Rangers lineup needs refreshing after a disappointing 2024-2025 season. Only a year removed from their Presidents’ Trophy win, GM Chris Drury would be wise to keep Brett Berard and Adam Edstrom in the NHL.
The New York Rangers’ prospect pipeline isn’t exactly the deepest. So, when two players have taken the brass ring and contributed to the success, they should be recognized with full-time positions in the NHL.
Brett Berard and Adam Edstrom have played convincingly well enough to warrant a long look in the NHL next season.
Adam Edstrom was a former sixth-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2019. The Rogle BK forward would spend four seasons in the SHL before he arrived in the AHL with the Hartford Wolfpack.
The big-body forward, at 6’7″ has proven he’s a great forechecker and is capable of creating plays. His chemistry with Matt Rempe and Sam Carrick was a bright spot in dark times for the team.
He’d find the scoresheet 9 times (5 goals, 4 assists) in 51 games. He’d have to call it a season due to a lower-body injury.
Edstrom could use his size to be a contributor on both the PK, and in front of the net on the power-play.
Berard was a fifth-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2020 and played collegiate hockey in Providence. He’d tally 38 points (18 goals, 20 assists) in 36 games in 2021, and 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 2022.
Last season in the AHL with the Wolfpack, he scored a total of 48 points (25 goals, 23 assists) in 71 games, and made his NHL debut this season.
He’s jumped between both the AHL and NHL this season, but as a 5’9″ forward, has found a way to be a force on the ice. As an effective forechecker, and can contribute defensively on his bottom-six assignment with the Rangers.
He scored his first assists on November 25th against the St. Louis Blues and would find the back of the net with a wrister against the Carolina Hurricanes on November 27th.
He finished with six goals, four assists, and 53 hits in 35 games while averaging 10:43 in ice time per game.
Mike Sullivan should forego the usual route that NHL coaches walk, which is relying on veterans who seem to have more nights off than young players who have spark.
It’d be cognizant of Sullivan to recognize that Berard and Edstrom are the future.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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Several New York Rangers rookie forwards set to take on a significant role during the 2025 season
Do you think forward Adam Edstrom and forward Brett Berard should be in the New York Rangers lineup this season?