After being selected 16th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers, LW Brennan Othmann was highly touted as a prospect.
The NHL is a copycat league, and in recent years, players with size and skill have been in high demand. At 6'0" and 180 lbs, with a gritty playing style, Othmann seemed like the perfect fit for that role. However, while Othmann had significant potential, he needed to improve his skating before reaching the NHL level and required time to develop.
Othmann spent the first year after being drafted in the OHL with the Flint Firebirds, where he had a dominant season.
At just the age of 18, he scored 50 goals and registered 47 assists for a total of 97 points in 66 games. He followed that up with 67 points in 56 games, playing for both Flint and the Peterborough Petes in the OHL. Although his numbers dipped slightly, they were still solid, and he continued to play with an edge and physicality.
By 2023 — two years removed from his draft year — Othmann looked poised to break camp with the Rangers after signing his entry-level contract. While he had an okay preseason, with limited room for him in the top six and an average performance, he was unable to crack the opening night roster and was sent down to the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Othmann did make a brief appearance for the Rangers during the 2023-24 season, playing in three games. However, he was limited to just 9:05 of average time on ice (ATOI) per game and was held off the scoresheet.
Despite this, Othmann played a significant role with the Wolf Pack, logging first-line minutes and playing on their top power-play unit. At 20 years old, he posted solid numbers, scoring 21 goals, 28 assists, and 49 points in 67 games. Additionally, he was selected for the AHL All-Star Game in 2023-24.
So, what's next?
Othmann is now 21 years old and four years removed from being drafted 16th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has reached a critical point in his development, where he needs to either secure a spot in the Rangers' top nine forwards or the team may consider moving on from him.
He has demonstrated goal-scoring ability at every level below the NHL, and his physicality is a highly valued asset in today’s NHL, especially in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 2024-25 training camp will be make-or-break for Othmann. I believe that, for his future with the Rangers, he must make the roster. He needs to be given a fair look in the top nine, and the Rangers need to see what they have in him.
Though the Rangers’ winger group is crowded with players like Panarin, Kreider, Lafrenière, Kakko, Smith, and Cuylle, that shouldn’t be an excuse for Othmann not to get a fair chance to make the opening night roster. With his potential, skills, and physicality, now is the time for Othmann to step up and prove he belongs in the NHL.