Last week, just before the trade deadline, the New York Rangers sent Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning. They got a few pieces in return, one of them being prospect Brett Howden.
The New York Rangers definitely lived up to their promise of a “fire sale.” One of the more shocking deals before the trade deadline involved the team parting with their captain and a player who fans thought would be crucial in the rebuild.
New York traded Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to the Tampa Bay Lightning. They received a 2018 first-round pick, a conditional 2019 second-round pick, Vladislav Namestnikov, Libor Hajek and Brett Howden.
The draft picks will be a huge help in the rebuilding process that the Rangers are going through. Namestinikov, a roster player, has already proved to be a huge asset, with two points (one goal and one assist) in two games with the Rangers thus far.
Hajek’s WHL coach has said that he is very close to being NHL ready. This could definitely help to upgrade the defensive in the coming years.
However, most Rangers fans know the least amount of information about Brett Howden. Let’s take a look at what he has done in his career thus far, and how he could help the Rangers.
Pre-NHL Draft
Brett Howden played in his first professional hockey season in 2012. He played for the Eastman Selects Midget AAA of the MMHL. The center put up 24 points (11 goals and 13 assists) in 30 games.
The next year, he was on the same team and his point total improved by 34 points (24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points) in eight more games. In 2013, Howden was drafted fifth in the first round (fifth overall) in the WHL Draft. He played for the Moose Jaw Warriors for his entire WHL career.
In his first season there, the now 20-year-old recorded 46 points (22 goals and 24 assists) in 68 games. He also played in the World Hockey Championships that year, earning an “A” on his jersey and scoring three points (two goals and one assist) in five games. Additionally, he appeared in World Juniors that year, putting up three points (two goals and one assist) in three games there.
In 2015, Howden was named an assistant captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors. He recorded 64 points (24 goals and 40 assists) in 68 games. In his second appearance at World Juniors, he put up eight points (five goals and three assists) in six games.
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NHL Draft and Experience After
Brett Howden was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He went as the 27th pick in the first round (27th overall).
Last season (2016-2017), the forward was named the captain of his WHL team. He set a career high with 81 points (38 goals and 43 assists) in 58 games.
Howden got his first chance in the AHL last year as well. He played for the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the team that drafted him, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The center put up four points (three goals and one assist) in five games. He appeared in three playoff games with the team as well, recording two points, both assists.
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This Season (so far)
This year Brett Howden remained captain of the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors. So far, he has played in 41 games. He has 61 points (22 goals and 39 assists).
He also made his third appearance in World Juniors. In seven games played, he recorded seven points (three goals and four assists).
Furthermore, he was named a WHL All-Star this year, putting up two points in the All-Star game (one goal and one assist). The most notable piece of news he was involved with this year, thus far, was obviously the trade last week.
At 6’2″ and 188 pounds, he brings enough physical presence that will probably improve in coming years. That’s something that the Rangers could definitely use in the future.
He seems to be a reliable forward with a scoring touch, which is always helpful. The fact that he is a center is also a great thing since one of the main struggles for the Rangers over the past handful of years has been a lack of center depth.
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Of course, no one can be certain when Howden will make his NHL debut, or when he will even be ready for consideration for that. However, the future definitely looks a little brighter with him on the New York Rangers.