Why Rangers hoping for Brennan Othmann breakthrough next season
A year ago at this time, Brennan Othmann was talking up his leadership role at the annual New York Rangers development camp for prospects. Now, for the first time in five years, Othmann is not a part of the prospects camp, which began Monday and includes on-ice sessions Tuesday and Wednesday.
That doesn’t mean Othmann is no longer a top Rangers prospect. He is. But the 22-year-old is about to head into his third professional season, and will contend for a spot on the opening-night roster. So, Othmann basically graduated out from dev camp, with his complete focus on training camp this fall.
The No. 16 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft has a big opportunity in front of him. At worst, there appear to be open spots on the third line for him to snag. At best, a really strong camp could push him into contention for a top-six role in the forward group.
Of course, no one knows how the roster may change between now and then. General manager Chris Drury is reportedly seeking to make some trades to shake things up, plus NHL free agency begins July 1.
But there’s definitely a feeling that Othmann, who was among the final cuts last year, will get every chance to land a roster spot this fall.
Related: Intriguing prospects to watch at Rangers development camp, including Malcolm Spence
Brennan Othmann wants to ‘do more offensively’ for Rangers
Despite failing to make the team out of training camp, Othmann did play 22 games with the Rangers last season. It likely would’ve been more, but Othmann sustained an upper-body injury in October with Hartford of the American Hockey League that sidelined him more than two months.
Had he been healthy, Othmann, who started fast with five points (two goals, three assists) in three AHL games before the Oct. 19 injury, would’ve been in line for a recall when Filip Chytil was injured in November and the Rangers traded Kaapo Kakko in December.
The Rangers called him up in late February after he totaled 20 points (12 goals, eight assists) in 27 games with Hartford. Othmann spent most of his time in a bottom-six role, with limited ice time, and was scratched three times with the Rangers desperately trying (and ultimately failing) to secure a postseason playoff berth.
Othmann was at his best when moved into the top six alongside Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. That line outscored opponents 6-1 and held a 15-4 advantage in high-danger chances in 65:34 of ice time, per Natural Stat Trick.
Though he came close several times, Othmann didn’t score a goal with the Rangers last season and is still searching for his first NHL tally after 25 games over two seasons. He did have two assists and was plus-7, averaging 9:58 TOI. One constant was his willingness to play an effective physical game.
He’s tenacious on the forecheck and drives hard to the net, elements the Rangers desperately lack in their lineup.
While those are valuable traits, Othmann is best known for his prolific scoring. In 2021-22, he scored 50 goals in 66 OHL games with the Flint Firebirds. In his first pro season with Hartford, he tied for fourth among all AHL rookies with 49 points, and was second on the Wolf Pack with 21 goals. Now entering his third season in the pros, Othmann knows he must produce offensively to stay in the NHL
“I was still pretty upset that I wasn’t able to do more offensively,” Othmann said at breakup day. “That’s the goal going into the summertime. I know I can do more offensively. The organization knows I can do more offensively. It’s just an opportunity that I’m hoping to be able to get next year. This year was just an opportunity to come in and be noticeable and work hard, not so much worry about the points.”
Othmann remains confident he has the skills to score regularly in the NHL.
“I’ve produced at every level that I can possibly produce at,” he explained. “I’ve produced in the OHL, I’ve produced in Switzerland, in the American League, so I’m not too worried about the production. I’m just gonna go into the summer with a clear mind, being healthy, work out, get stronger, and come back ready to go in September.”
Brennan Othmann faces bootom-6 competition on Rangers roster
The likely top-six will include J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, Panarin, Trocheck, and restricted free agent Will Cuylle, once he re-signs. The Rangers already re-signed Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom to identical two-year contracts this summer. The towering wings are expected to start the season on the fourth line, flanking center Sam Carrick.
Returning bottom-six players from last season include Brett Berard, Gabe Perreault, Jonny Brodzinski, Juuso Parssinen, and Othmann. Restricted free agent Arthur Kaliyev remains unsigned.
Drury may look to add a more proven third-line center and/or more straight-ahead grit on the wings. Still, with approximately $12.2 million in available salary cap space, young, affordable, internal candidates like Othmann are hold great value and could help fill out the roster.
Berard led all Rangers rookies last season with six goals and 10 points in 35 games. The 2020 fifth-round pick fits the north-south style of play that the Rangers strive for this season. Perreault burned a year of his entry-level deal to jump straight to the NHL, appearing in five games after leaving Boston College. He could start in the AHL to gain more experience and playing time before returning to the Rangers. But, like Othmann, the 2023 first-rounder will get a long look in training camp, trying to impress new coach Mike Sullivan.
“It’s just a new face, new eyes looking at you. Whoever it is may not know who I am or know my game or anything like that,” Othmann explained. “All I have to do is just impress them and be noticeable. And that’s just the thing I thought I’ve been doing since I came up here — be noticeable and take each day by the horns.”
