Mike Sullivan explains why Brennan Othmann is back and why Alexis Lafrenière is sliding down the lineup

The New York Rangers overhauled their lines during Monday's morning skate ahead of a matchup against the Seattle Kraken, and Mike Sullivan was very direct in why he made the changes he did. Following an embarrassing 10-2 loss vs. the Boston Bruins, it was clear some changes needed to be made, and we now know the changes and why they were made.

Alexis Lafrenière demoted to third line, Gabe Perreault promoted, Matt Rempe scratched

The Rangers will deploy the following forward lines for Monday's game against Seattle

Artemi Panarin -- Mika Zibanejad -- Will Cuylle
J.T. Miller -- Vincent Trocheck -- Gabe Perreault
Brennan Othmann -- Noah Laba -- Alexis Lafreniere
Jonny Brodzinksi -- Sam Carrick -- Taylor Raddysh

This represents a boost in responsibility for Perreault, a reduction in ice time for Lafrenière, a better opportunity for Brennan Othmann that last time, and a rest for Matt Rempe. When asked about why the Rangers brought Othmann back, Sullivan explained, "He's played very well as of late down in Hartford. We're hoping he can bring some energy, give us some juice. … We're looking for players to earn their way onto the roster. If they can make an impact, they get a chance to play." Othmann had four points in his last for games for the Hartford Wolf Pack, and the hope is that he will be able to work well on what appears to be a new "kid line" along with Laba and Lafrenière.

Sullivan makes it clear why Lafrenière was demoted

Part of the new composition of lines sees Lafrenière getting demoted, and Sullivan was pretty direct with his feelings on the move. "Part of it is performance-based, too. We need more... I think Laf is a guy that can bring more to the table for us."

Lafrenière can be a bit of a streaky player, and it is frustrating because he clearly is a skilled player. He had one of his best games of the season in the Winter Classic with three assists against Florida, and he followed that up with a goal against the Utah Mammoth. He was a minus two against Buffalo and a minus four against Boston, and he was the easiest player for Sullivan to demote.

Mika Zibanejad is playing well, Artemi Panarin is a top line forward the Rangers will try and trade, J.T. Miller is playing hurt, and they need Trocheck as a center in the top six. Cuylle is the other forward who could have been reasonably moved, but this latest change feels like a targeted one to get Lafrenière's attention.

Youngsters will benefit from the changes

The immediate beneficiary of the Rangers' moves of the day is Gabe Perreault, and if they truly hold, he will be getting top six minutes alongside Miller and Trocheck. Perreault plays a pretty simple speed game, and he will get a chance to be on a line with two forwards with an aptitude of retrieving pucks and playmaking ability. The goal for Perreault will be to get into shooting opportunities, because Miller and Trocheck will be able to get him the puck.

Othmann will also play with his best linemates to date, and that includes a speedy and plucky center in Laba, and the aforementioned Lafrenière who'll enter the game against Seattle with a chip on his shoulder. Lafrenière is an underrated passer, and it would be great if he embraces his new assignment and can find a way to get Othmann his first career NHL goal.

The one youngster who doesn't explicitly benefit is Matt Rempe, although his scratch is being presented as partly being about him not being 100 percent healthy.

In any case, these changes will hopefully result in a better overall effort from a group that will be welcoming back Kaapo Kakko and Ryan Lindgren to Madison Square Garden.