Brennan Othmann seeing things right with New York Rangers
Brennan Othmann is listed as a left wing but has been consistent since being drafted by the New York Rangers in 2021 that he can play right wing as well.
“I am just as comfortable on the right side and I used to play center back in day,” Othmann told our readers in 2022.
Fast forward to the opening of Rookie Camp on Wednesday and Othmann recognizes the logjam on the left side means he has to prove he can make it at as a right winger.
“I know it says I’m a left winger, but I think I can play the right wing as well,” he said yesterday. “Those guys [Panarin and Kreider] will be pretty hard to beat out. Even with Lafreniere there’s three really good strong forwards. If I can play the right side, it’s very versatile. It’s just hockey.”
Brennan Othmann will have a chance to prove it
When Rookie Camp ends on September 19, the 20 year-old forward will transition to the Rangers main training camp. Last season, he was named the winner of the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award as the top rookie in camp as selected by the media after picking up 2 assists in 2 preseason games. Those points came during the Rangers’ first exhibition game against the Islanders, where Othmann was named first star as the Blueshirts picked up a 4-1 win.
The prized prospect continued his outstanding development journey with an excellent 2022-23 campaign by scoring 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 56 matches split between the Flint Firebirds and the Peterborough Petes. He took his game to another level in the playoffs leading Peterborough to an OHL title with 8 goals and 17 assists for 25 points in 23 playoff games. Unfortunately, the Petes fell short of winning the Memorial Cup but Othmann finished his junior career in style, including back-to-back World Junior Championship Gold Medals with Canada.
Othmann is projected to be a top-six winger in the NHL but with the Rangers top-nine fairly set this season, it would make sense for him to play first-line minutes with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2023-24. A reality that he’s excited for if he doesn’t make the big club out of camp.
“What I’ve always wanted was the status of being a professional hockey player,” Othmann explained. “I’ll miss juniors and my team in Peterborough. The relationships I built there will last forever but it’s now about being a pro hockey player. That’s what I’m most excited for whether it’s in the NHL or American League.”
Othmann has three years left on his ELC with an AAV of $863,333 per PuckPedia, and it would be wise for the Rangers to develop him properly. Unless he surprises everyone and forces their hand.
“He’s an excellent player,” Director of Player Personnel John Lilley said. “He’s feisty and plays a good two-way game. It’s the next step and he has the next few weeks to prove where’s he’s at. Whether it’s the AHL or NHL, that’s up to him.”
His quest to make the Rangers is underway, and if he can successfully make the switch to right wing there’s a real chance he could be on the opening night roster.
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