The New York Rangers are anxiously waiting to be rid of the stink that was the 2024-25 campaign and move on. With the calendar turned to September, that can only mean that some form of organized hockey will be played by a bunch of guys wearing a blue sweater with diagonal writing on the front.
The Rangers, as well as the rest of the National Hockey League, have six games this preseason to try and right the ship and iron out the wrinkles of the long summer. This, of course, will be the last time there will be six games in a preseason with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement set to begin next season, limiting the preseason to four games.
As the 2025-26 campaign is nearing its start, there are a few Rangers who are looking to make a big impact early on. With some holes in the lineup still yet to be permanently filled, there is a chance for some young talent to fight their way onto the roster in the coming weeks.
There is one name that stands above the rest as having the best chance and most to lose, going into the preseason. That player is Brennan Othmann, who used this offseason to train with some of the elite talent of the NHL. Can this finally be the year that he sets himself above the rest of the pack and avoids the 'Pack by making it onto the NHL roster?
Last, best chance?
The Rangers open up their preseason with three great opportunities for growth against the New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins, and the New York Islanders. If Othmann wants to finally prove that he can live up to the everlasting hype surrounding him, this is where he needs to make an impact. He might have to play in those three games, and potentially the rest of the preseason slate, to try and convince new Head Coach Mike Sullivan and President and General Manager Chris Drury to make the final roster.
The winger has some stiff competition in camp, with Brett Berard also occupying the left wing. There is a chance that both guys make the team out of camp, pushing Adam Edstrom into an uncomfortable spot, but there is also a chance that Othmann could be the odd man out. Gabe Perreault could contend for a spot too.
At the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, Othmann will no longer be under contract with the Rangers. This is his last shot to try and make it onto the team that took a chance on him in the 16th overall selection in the 2021 NHL entry draft.
The impact must be quick, lethal, and evergreen. There is no way that Othmann could afford any kind of mistake or sort of failure. In however many chances he has left with this organization, he has to make it count.