The New York Rangers have once again been forced to make some unexpected changes to their lineup, and the latest news comes on the eve of the 2026 Winter Classic at LoanDepot Park in Miami. The Blueshirts were defeated 6-3 by the Washington Capitals on New Year's Eve, and the game isn't the only thing the team lost in the process. Noah Laba and Conor Sheary were both injured, and neither will play in the upcoming spectacle.
Rangers recall Brett Berard, Anton Blidh, and Justin Dowling
Berard has been up and down with the Blueshirts this year, and returns once again having put up a line of just 2-7-9 in 20 AHL games, and zero points at the NHL level this season. Blidh is a bottom-six "glue guy" who has been known for his truculence, and grinding it out. In 28 games he has three goals, four assists, and seven points along with 20 penalty minutes. Dowling is a veteran forward and has appeared in 24 games for the Wolf Pack this season, and has five goals, 11 assists, and 16 points.
Brennan Othmann sent down for cap reasons
The correlating move in this transaction was assigning Othmann back to Hartford, as his contract is set up in such a way where putting him in Hartford allowed the Rangers to fit in the players they recalled.
Othmann has appeared in six games this season with the Rangers, and has zero points to his name. He's averaged just 8:10 this season, and 9:32 for the entirety of his NHL career which consists of 31 games, zero goals, and two assists for two points. He's been a frequent traveler between the AHL and NHL, and just when it seems like he's gone for good... he somehow returns.
His last action came against the Islanders in the return from the holiday break, and after logging just 5:47 in the game, it was very clear where he stood in the eyes of the coaching staff and front office. This assuredly will be his last season with the organization, and hopefully both sides can come to an agreement on a destination so both can get what they need.