Rangers Daily: Brennan Othmann hopes summer changes lead to roster spot; no deal between Wild and Kirill Kaprizov
Brennan Othmann is hoping some offseason changes will make the fifth time the charm when it comes to making the New York Rangers.
The 22-year-old, taken by the Rangers in the first round (No. 16 overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft began his fifth rookie camp on Wednesday when 22 hopefuls took the ice at the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, New York. He arrived after switching up his summertime schedule, opting to move his workouts to Gary Roberts Performance in Vaughn, Ontario.
Among those working out at the former NHL forward’s facility were Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, as well as Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog.
“They helped me gain some of my confidence back that I didn’t really have here toward the end of the year,” he said, “so they did a great job.”
Othmann arrived at camp weighing 195 pounds, meaning he’s added about 10 pounds of muscle. He brought a more mature attitude as well.
“It’s just that when I got called up last year, I think I was a little bit nervous and starstruck at the time,” he said after skating at left wing on a line with center Noah Laba and right wing Gabriel Perreault. “I felt like being around NHL guys for the whole summer – and, I mean, I was around NHL guys basically since February. Coming to camp now, I’m not really nervous or anything like that.”
After another day of practice, Othmann and the rest of his rookie teammates will get their first chance to make an impression on new coach Mike Sullivan and his staff when they play the Philadelphia Flyers’ rookies on Friday and Saturday in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Othmann isn’t the only player at rookie camp to add some muscle. Perreault arrived 10 pounds bigger after his summer workout routine, although he still clocks in at just 180. “I know that it’s not going to be given to me,” he said of making the team out of training camp. “Every day I’ll work hard and try to prove it.”
Laba, who’s all but certain to begin the season with AHL Hartford, said “there’s a lot of lessons to be learned here, a lot of teaching points. … It’s my first one, so I am kind of taking it all in.” Playing between Othmann and Perreault “was awesome.” One thing that could boost Laba’s chances of making it to the Garden sooner rather than later is the Rangers’ lack of young talent in the middle.
Finally, as the Rangers remind us each year on Sept. 11, never forget those who lost their lives on this day in 2001.
NHL news and rumors
TSN: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin says the team is continuing to negotiate with Kirill Kaprizov after a media report indicated the star left wing turned down a record-setting deal said to be worth $128 million over eight years. Kaprizov is entering the final season of a five-year, $45 million contract. “My role as general manager is to protect our players,” Guerin said on the 10,000 Takes Show. I know two things. That info didn’t come from us, and it didn’t come from Kirill’s agent. I don’t know where it came from.
San Jose Hockey Now: The San Jose Sharks signed forward Michael Misa, the second player taken in the 2025 NHL Draft, to an entry-level contract on Wednesday. Misa led all CHL players in scoring last season with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) and earned the Red Tilson Trophy as Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Player of the Year while playing for Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League.
NHL.com: Unlike Kaprizov, Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel says he’s not worried about his next contract as he enters the final season of an eight-year, $80 million deal. “For me, it’s business as usual,” Eichel told NHL.com at the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour on Wednesday. “Things like that kind of take care of themselves when you’re focused on the right things. I know that will sort itself out.” He said he’s at ease partly because there is mutual interest from both sides to get a deal done.
Sportsnet: To Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, brother Jack’s recently expressed public wish for a family reunion is a nothingburger. “I don’t even think it’s a big deal,” he told Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas on during a recording of the 32 Thoughts podcast. Jack and Luke Hughes play for the New Jersey Devils; Jack is locked up until 2030 and the Devils are working on a long-term deal with Luke. Quinn is two seasons away from unrestricted free agency and is making no promises to re-sign.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Speaking of Luke Hughes and the Devils, colleague James Nichols takes a look at his contract status. Luke and the Devils have yet to come to terms on an extension as training camp nears, though GM Tom Fitzgerald says he’s confident a deal will get done.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Sidney Crosby is trying to shrug off the trade questions during the players media tour in Las Vegas. But the words of his agent, Pat Brisson, have raised some eyebrows. Our colleague Dan Kingerski takes a complete look at Sid’s status.
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