The New York Rangers have completed their preseason and are now preparing for the regular season, which begins October 9th. In the meanwhile, certain decisions need to be made about who will be on the opening night roster. Late Saturday afternoon, the Rangers made a shocking decision, sending their top prospect down to the AHL before the season begins.
The Rangers have announced that Brennan Othmann had been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Othmann, 21, is easily New York’s most NHL-ready prospect. He has been in the spotlight since his draft in 2021, but he has only appeared in three NHL games.
In those three NHL games, Othmann did not score a point. He isn’t to blame, though, as Peter Laviolette assigned him to the fourth line. The Blueshirts adored their attacking corps and did not want to disrupt their harmony in the top nine. This is most likely the same reason why Othmann will not start in the NHL this season.
Othmann is ready to make the step to the NHL, but the Rangers don’t need him right now. They already have a bunch of forwards on their roster, therefore there is no room for Othmann to join.
Will Othmann play for the Rangers at any point this season?
Despite being pulled from the Rangers’ opening night roster, Othmann is expected to wear number 78 at some point this season. Although there isn’t room in the lineup right now, injuries and other external reasons will surely create opportunities throughout the season. And when there is a gap in the offensive corps, Othmann is the ideal candidate to fill it.
It could also be helpful for Othmann to begin the season in the AHL, working with a squad he is familiar with, in order to regain his footing. Othmann has had a lengthy summer off, and starting over in a new location with a new team may impede his progress.
Allow Othmann to warm up in Hartford before calling him back to New York when the time is perfect.
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