Rangers’ patience with Brennan Othmann paid off in impressive NHL debut
The Rangers have done this the right way.
They did not rush Brennan Othmann into the NHL following his first-round, 16th-overall selection in the 2021 entry draft, even when the lad thoroughly impressed in training camp. They never hyped him as a savior. They never used his likeness to herald a youth movement.
Instead, the Blueshirts allowed him to grow at an appropriate pace and in appropriate places. He played for Team Canada in the 2022 and 2023 World Junior Championships, winning gold the latter year. He went to the semifinals of the Memorial Cup after his Peterborough team took the OHL crown last year. He then started this maiden pro season by serving an apprenticeship in Hartford.
Until Thursday, that is, when Othmann made his NHL debut at the Garden, impressing just about everyone in the Blueshirts 4-1 victory over a dreadful Blackhawks squad that might have difficulty competing in the AHL. The lad, who turns 21 on Friday, led both teams with five shots and eight attempts in his 12:46 of ice time while playing an aggressive, positionally sound game.
4Brennan Othmann led both the Rangers and Blackhawks with five shots, along with eight attempts, during Thursday’s game. Robert Sabo for the NY PostI noticed him all night, head coach Peter Laviolette said after his teams correction from Tuesdays 6-1 loss to the Canes improved the Blueshirts mark to 10-1-0 following defeats. His speed and his skill, his ability to create, at least a half-dozen attempts at the net, scoring chances.
I noticed him pretty consistently. He played a good game.
Under ideal circumstances, the hierarchy would probably preferred to allow Othmann to marinate in the AHL for another month or two before exposing him to the bright lights. But when Tyler Pitlick was diagnosed with a lower-body issue following the Carolina game that will sideline the winger for an indefinite period of time, circumstances became less than ideal for a club already depleted up front by injury.
On the other hand, this does present the 26-10-1 Rangers who reclaimed first-place overall in the NHL in conjunction with the Bruins defeat the perfect opportunity to get a measure on Othmann way ahead of the trade deadline. If No. 78 proves himself a viable option, that could change the equation for GM Chris Drury.
4Brennan Othmann’s ability to contribute for the Rangers could change Chris Drury’s approach at the trade deadline. Getty ImagesThe Rangers had Othmann on the left side of the third line alongside Nick Bonino and Jonny Brodzinski, with whom he was a linemate in Hartford the first part of the season. Laviolette bumped him up with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider for a 38-second shift in the third period after Blake Wheeler picked up a fighting major. He also got a 31-second spin with Vincent Trocheck in a late four-on-four situation.
Othmann had said at the morning skate that his objective was to enjoy himself and the surroundings. That was advice imparted by the coaching staff. The mission was accomplished, and in front of his folks, Gery and Paige, who were able to get to New York to watch this milestone.
I just wanted to have fun and play my game, he said after the fact. My game is physicality and shooting and just kind of bringing a presence on the ice.
I was a bit nervous my first couple of shifts, but Jonny and Bones did a great job calming me down. You only get your first game once, so I wanted to have fun, and yeah, I did, it was good. Obviously, there were a couple of stressful moments every now and then, and you want to make the right play, but I had a lot of fun out there.
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Brennan Othmann eyes next step in Rangers journey after accomplishing OHL goal
Othmann talked beforehand about how he learned the importance of details while serving his apprenticeship. Laviolette lauded his receptiveness to being coached. His line dominated its match with a 72.2 attempts share, an 88.89 shots share and an xGF measured by Natural Stat Trick at 81.5 percent.
I could see from his first training camp that he is kind of a special player, Artemi Panarin said after notching his 24th goal and an assist in yet another outstanding display. He was looking good tonight, skated very well, was not scared to play with the puck. Its good to see him on the team.
Othmann took a shot that was blocked on his first shift. His next shift, the winger fired one from no angle. He pressed it. His best chance came with 6:20 remaining in the second period when he was denied in front by Petr Mrazeks right pad off Boninos backhand centering feed.
I think I did a good job creating, and I obviously want to create more, but I thought our line played well and were able to stay out of our own end most of the game, Othmann said. The chances I created were good, and they were positive, so its a good confidence booster going forward.
4Brennan Othmann’s line with Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey helped mark rookie Connor Bedard for most of Thursday’s game. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
4Brennan Othmann’s NHL debut Thursday impressed just about everyone with the Rangers. APThe exchange of Othmann for Pitlick adds way more skill to the Rangers, who formed a new checking line with Barclay Goodrow between Jimmy Vesey and Will Cuylle that effectively marked Connor Bedard most of the night. This is the alignment the club will likely present for the foreseeable future.
Beyond that remains to be seen. Kaapo Kakko is on his way back. But Othmann has a chance to make an indelible impression here. He might even rush the process.
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