As the New York Rangers head into the new year, it's time to look to the future. This season is almost a write-off as the Blueshirts continue to slip down the NHL standings, but the organization's future continues to develop. With our coverage of the World Junior Championships, the Rangers will get a good look at prospects such as Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue, but some of the bright lights of the farm system are still returning.
Specifically, Brennan Othmann has recently returned to the Hartford Wolf Pack after a spell on the sidelines with an injury, and he's looking to earn another call-up. Othmann was a first-round pick in 2021, and the Scarborough, Ontario, native is looking to add to his three NHL games as soon as possible. With the Rangers looking to sell off at this deadline, there will be a chance for Othmann to come up and make a name for himself in the iconic Blueshirt of the Rangers.
Othmann has yet to break his duck at the NHL level in the points category, but the soon-to-be 22-year-old is still fighting for a shot at the big leagues. He's got to compete with the likes of Adam Sykora, Brett Berard, and the players already on the New York Rangers roster. While it will be challenging to find a way to get him into the NHL now, the trade deadline will change that.
Look, the Rangers aren't good. They will be selling at the deadline, opening up gaps in the forward core that will need replacements. If Othmann earns himself a call-up when the time comes, there's no reason he couldn't stick to this roster. His injection of youth might change how some roster members play, mainly because Othmann does not suffer from a lack of talent or physicality.
Don't expect Othmann to play in the Rangers' next game, but there will be a time when the Blueshirts sell off someone like Chris Kreider or Jimmy Vesey, and gaps open on the wings. Instead of immediate replacements for the player who is departing, the Rangers should look internally at the kids they've developed to solve their issues. After all, isn't that what we were promised in the infamous letter declaring the Rangers rebuild?