The Rangers’ Decision on Brennan Othmann: A Lesson from the Past
The New York Rangers have had a mixed track record when it comes to developing high-end prospects, and they need to carefully consider how they handle Brennan Othmann this season. However, if the 16th overall pick in the 2021 draft proves to be too impressive to ignore during his preseason audition, their plans may change.
“That’s why we have a general training camp and tryout,” stated Chris Drury, the Rangers’ president and general manager, during Thursday’s press conference at MSG Training Center in Tarrytown. “Things can evolve over the next three weeks. I know he’s excited to be here. We’re thrilled with his progress since the draft, and he’ll have opportunities in practices and preseason games to showcase his skills. I’m open to surprises like that, and maybe he’ll be one of them.”
At just 20 years old, Othmann is considered the Rangers’ top prospect and is ready to enter his first professional hockey season, whether that be in the American Hockey League (AHL) or the National Hockey League (NHL). He has already accomplished everything he can in junior leagues, so the next logical step is to make the jump to the pros.
However, the extent of that jump will depend on both Othmann’s performance and the decisions made by Rangers management. The big question is what will best serve Othmann’s development. Regardless of how he compares to the rest of the projected roster, the safest choice would be to start him with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. This would allow Othmann to receive significant ice time, play on the first power play unit, and assume a larger role than he would with the Rangers.
This experience would be invaluable for Othmann, no matter what. In the AHL, he would have the opportunity to adapt to a faster pace of play, gain experience against bigger and more experienced players, and work out any kinks that arise when transitioning from junior to professional hockey. Mistakes and adjustment periods wouldn’t be as heavily scrutinized as they would in the NHL.
“He’s an excellent player,” said John Lilley, the Rangers’ director of player personnel and amateur scouting, regarding Othmann. “He brings offense, feistiness, and a strong two-way game. This is the next step for him. Over the next few weeks, he has the chance to prove where he’s at, whether that’s in the AHL or pushing for an NHL spot. It’s up to him.”
There is a possibility that Othmann will simply outperform the other players projected for the Rangers’ bottom six. If his offensive skills and scoring ability immediately translate to the NHL, it may be difficult for the Rangers to ignore him. However, as a projected top-six forward, Othmann wouldn’t benefit from playing on the fourth line. Being able to line up alongside players like Filip Chytil and Blake Wheeler on the third line would be far more advantageous for his development.
The ultimate decision will depend on Othmann’s performance during training camp and the preseason games, but the Rangers must also take into account the bigger picture. Othmann’s progress has been consistently positive, and it’s crucial to keep it that way.
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