As we close out our 2025-2026 Rangers report cards for the forwards, we have three kids who had different degrees of success and impact with the Rangers this year. Jaro Chmelar, a fourth line call up, played 28 games with the Rangers and was impressive in those games. Adam Sykora was called up after the trade deadline and had an immediate offensive and forechecking impact. Brett Berard looked to follow up on his strong 2024-2025 season, but struggled to find a rhythm with the Blueshirts.
Jaro Chmelar stabilizes the fourth line
Jaro Chmelar was called up to the Rangers three times–November, December, March–and stuck after that third call up. In his 28 games with the Blueshirts, he put up 4 goals and 2 assists while playing primarily on the fourth line. His 28 games were spread across several linemates, with Chmelar playing 50+ minutes with Noah Laba, Adam Edstrom, Jonny Brodzinski, Adam Sykora, and Juuso Parssinen.
Like most Rangers forwards, he had a negative shot share at 47%, but he was a net positive in terms of xG share (50%) high danger chance share (55%). So he did his job on the fourth line while also contributing a bit offensively. There isn’t much more you can ask of the former 5th round pick in 2021. He seems to be a lock for a bottom six role next season.
Grade: A
Adam Sykora adds a feisty style of play
Adam Sykora finally cracked the NHL roster after three seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Despite how long he’s been in the organization (drafted in 2022), it’s easy to forget that Sykora is just 21 years old. He was very noticeable in his 11 games with the Rangers, putting up 3 goals and an assist while starting on the second line with Vincent Trocheck and Will Cuylle before shifting down to a line with Laba and Chmelar.
Sykora didn’t have great possession numbers, but he made up for that with a tenacious forecheck and a willingness to go to the dirty areas. Sykora was a welcome change to a Blueshirts team looking for a spark, and he gave them that. Much like Chmelar and Tye Kartye, Sykora was noticeable as soon as joining the Rangers and should be a mainstay in the lineup next season.
Grade: B
Brett Berard struggles, loses ground to other prospects
After an impressive showing in 2024-2025, Brett Berard struggled mightily this past season. While Berard’s possession stats improved, they still were below 50% in the major shot share categories. Berard also looked like he was a step behind the play. His play style is similar to Sykora’s, so it wasn’t about his skill set or how he approached the game. Perhaps the answer is simpler: There’s a reason why he was a 5th round pick versus Sykora as a 2nd round pick.
Berard, a restricted free agent this offseason, is likely moving on from the Rangers this summer. He’s been passed on the depth chart by Chmelar, Sykora, and Kartye, and was outplayed by Conor Sheary, Jonny Brodzinski, and other veterans. The Rangers could use him as a sweetener in a trade or just to recoup more draft picks.
Grade: C-