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AROUND THE FARM: Taking a deep dive into the Rangers top prospects

By Marvin Azrak

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: General Manager Chris Drury of the New York Rangers speaks during a press conference prior to the jersey retirement ceremony for Henrik Lundqvist taking place before the game between the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2022 in New York City. Henrik Lundqvist played all 15 seasons of his NHL career with the Rangers before retiring in 2020. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: General Manager Chris Drury of the New York Rangers speaks during a press conference prior to the jersey retirement ceremony for Henrik Lundqvist taking place before the game between the New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2022 in New York City. Henrik Lundqvist played all 15 seasons of his NHL career with the Rangers before retiring in 2020. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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Being avid New York Rangers fans, we’re passionately fixated on the present product that hit the ice on game nights. However, with the team having the weekdays off between Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes and Thursday nights road tilt with the Seattle Kraken, it provides an opportunity to go around the farm and check in with the prospects who could one day be donning a broadway sweater. Ready? Let’s round ’em up!

What better place to start than with the current face of the Blueshirts farm system?
Since Brennan Othmann was selected 16th overall in the 2021 draft, the 19-year-old winger has galvanized fans and quickly made headlines last season with the Flint Firebirds of the OHL, amassing four goals in the final regular season game to hit a franchise record of 50, along with his 97 points in 66 games.

Following his six points in five games for the championed Team Canada at the World Juniors last Summer and a brief September stint in New York, where he appeared in a few preseason games, Othmann returned to Canada for the new league season.

Since he’s not 20 yet, rendering him ineligible for the Wolfpack, he had to play out the OHL string unless he made the NHL this year, which wasn’t plausible with New York’s depth at the forward position.

But rather than sulk, the Firebird’s captain promptly scored in the opener a day after he was demoted en route to a torrid 11 goals, 13 assists, for 24 points in his first 17 games. However, despite his on-ice brilliance, it didn’t lead to Flint winning many games, and combined with the health of his grandparents in jeopardy, making Othman feel the desire to be closer to home, he requested a trade.

Understandably, the Firebirds obliged and dealt their leader on Saturday night to the Peterborough Petes in exchange for veteran Artem Guryev, two OHL third-round picks(2023, 2026), and a second-round pick in 2024.

Considering Othmann will likely be in the NHL or, at the very least, the AHL next year, this is an excellent trade for Flint as they build for the future. Meanwhile, Othman has joined a team that figures to contend for the Memorial Cup and should continuously thrive with a better supporting cast around him.

Regarding Othmann, the question isn’t whether he will be a Ranger, as it is for many of these youngsters, but when?

Staying in Ontario, Bryce McConnell Barker, 18, was selected 97th overall in the 2022 draft, and the center has started strong with the Soo Greyhounds and currently has 19 points in 18 games, which puts him on track to break last season’s totals of 49 points in 68 games.
Per Eiliteprsopects.com, “He understands the shutdown game, the necessity to balance pressure and effort with sound positioning, to remove options from the opposition, and limit the time spent running around the defensive zone.”
At 6-foot-1, 194 pounds, McConnell-Barker is imposing to others in his age range.
Given the youth and the fact there’s no need to rush him up to Hartford, he can add more strength, speed, and skill to his game.

There’s automatic pressure that applies when you’re the brother of an NHL player, and Max Barbashev is no exception.
Playing in the QMJHL, the 18-year-old Russian, drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 draft at 161overall, is looking to follow in the footsteps of St Louis Blues center Ivan Barabashev and reach the big leagues. His quest currently resides in Moncton, where he’s got 14 points in 17 games for the Wildcats entering play on Wednesday. Per dobberprospects.com, “Barbashev is a physical forward who plays with an edge and is an adamant player to beat. He has good offensive skills and a good shot, but will need to work on developing consistency in his game.”
That’s a solid report, one similar to Ivan, now 26, at his age.

Captain of the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL, Jayden Grubbe has flourished thus far with 22 points in 18 games, including a goal and two assists in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Drafted in the third round at 65th overall in 2021, Grubbe has displayed two-way toughness as the lead center, with a relentless work ethic that has him primed for bigger and better things. As former NHLer and two-time Stanley Cup champion Brent Sutter put it, He is exceptional.”


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