The New York Rangers’ developmental prospect camp kicked off this week and one top youngster has been making waves. 2021 first-round draft pick Brennan Othmann has been making strides at the development camp as he aims to “prove people wrong” this upcoming season.
Brennan Othmann is looking to prove his doubters wrong
While taking a breather during Tuesday’s practice, Othmann spoke with The New York Post and gave some insight into his mindset as he prepares for the upcoming 2024 season:
“My biggest goal is to prove people wrong, to be honest with you,” Othmann told Bridget Reilly of The New York Post. “I think that a lot of people this past year or whatever, have kind of lost a little bit of faith and belief in my capabilities. So, I think I’m just ready to prove people wrong, and I’m gonna keep doing that. I’m excited to do that.”
Despite being viewed as one of the Blueshirts’ top talents in their prospect pool, some fans have expressed doubt in Othmann and brought his name up as a trade piece in recent online discussions. Othmann is setting out to prove to the naysayers that he has real NHL-level talent and is more valuable to the team as a player than a trade piece.
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Could the Rangers give Othmann some NHL ice time this season?
As Othmann pointed out, he has already achieved much and found plenty of success in his hockey career at the young age of 21:
“I think I’ve proved myself as a player with my capabilities and I want to keep proving myself and I’ve established that I can win hockey games,” Othmann told The Post. “I have two World Juniors [titles], an OHL Championship, and U-18s so I think I’m a winner and I want to bring that culture here as best I can.”
Othmann’s success in competitions below the NHL could earn him some ice time in the Ranger’s lineup this upcoming season. He did appear in three games for the Blueshirts in 2023, but did not record a point and was quickly sent back down to the AHL to continue developing as a member of the Hartford Wolf Pack.
This season, however, Othmann could be ready to take that next step. The Rangers have a hole to fill on their first-line right wing and did little in free agency to fill that need. Perhaps Othmann could begin his NHL career this season and earn his spot on the top line alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
In 2023, Othmann totaled 49 points (21 goals and 28 assists) in the AHL for the Hartford Wolf Pack. Far from a finished product, Othmann still has plenty of developing to do before he can be viewed as a high-impact NHL player. However, he has been making strides at the team’s development camp, which could earn him some NHL ice time this season. If he rises to the occasion and plays well when given the opportunity, Othmann could make himself a permanent fixture in the Rangers’ lineup this season.
