Brennan Othmann Finally Finds the Net-and Maybe His Path Forward with the Rangers
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Brennan Othmann had more than just hockey on his mind when he was recalled by the Rangers back in late October. The former first-round pick wasn’t just fighting for a spot in the lineup-he was also navigating the noise of trade rumors swirling around his name. For a young player still trying to find his footing in the NHL, that’s a lot to carry.
Now in his third year of pro hockey, Othmann hadn’t yet carved out a consistent role in New York. Through 25 NHL games, he hadn’t scored a goal-a stat that weighed heavily on him.
And when he didn’t make the team out of training camp and was sent back to AHL Hartford, it was fair to wonder if both sides might be ready for a change. Maybe he needed a fresh start somewhere else.
But Saturday night in Philadelphia, Othmann may have found that fresh start without leaving town. In his third stint with the Rangers this season, the 23-year-old finally broke through, scoring his first NHL goal in a 6-3 win over the Flyers.
It wasn’t just a goal-it was a release. A moment that felt like shedding the weight of unmet expectations and unanswered questions.
“Yeah, maybe that was the fresh start,” Othmann said with a smile the next day, as the Rangers practiced at Honda Center ahead of their matchup with the Ducks. “Maybe that’s the fresh start of my career really taking off.
I don’t know what’s going to happen going forward. But I just want to play hockey.
I want to make an impact. I want to contribute.
I want to play in this league.”
That desire has never been in doubt. But opportunity? That’s been more elusive.
Head coach Mike Sullivan, in his first year behind the Rangers’ bench, has seen Othmann in action during one preseason and nine regular season games. And while the sample size is still small, Sullivan sees a young player trending in the right direction.
“I think he’s made a lot of progress, just in understanding what his identity should look like to give himself a chance to play in the NHL,” Sullivan said. “It’s about the details away from the puck-faceoffs, defensive zone coverage, tracking back in transition.
Knowing your job and doing it. We’re trying to build a team game, and that takes reliability.
Otter’s making strides there.”
That kind of growth might be coming at just the right time. The Rangers, who announced Friday that they’re entering a “retool” phase, are looking to reshape their roster through strategic trades. Othmann, in the final year of his entry-level contract and set to become a restricted free agent this summer, could be part of that equation-either as a trade chip or as a player they decide to keep and develop.
So far, there hasn’t been much reported interest from other teams. But that could change over the season’s final 33 games. If Othmann builds on his goal in Philly and continues to show he can be the kind of gritty, reliable third-line winger Sullivan envisions, he might just force the Rangers to rethink their plans.
And if not? Maybe someone else sees the upside.
Othmann admits the uncertainty lingers. When your name is in trade rumors, it’s hard not to wonder if you’ll still be wearing the same sweater tomorrow.
“Occasionally you wonder if you’re gonna be here any longer, or if you’re here for the rest of the year,” he said. “You don’t really know.
You just take it day by day, be patient, and see what happens. Right now, I’m here.
I’m in the NHL. I’m playing-and playing well.
I just want to keep doing that.”
Notes & Quotes:
- Goalie Spencer Martin got the start against the Ducks, which lines up Jonathan Quick to face his former team, the Kings, on Tuesday in Los Angeles. “I think Quickie deserves that,” Sullivan said.
- Defenseman Carson Soucy, who missed Saturday’s game due to personal reasons, rejoined the team for the optional morning skate but wasn’t in the lineup against Anaheim.
- Sullivan also addressed the situation with Artemi Panarin, who was informed by GM Chris Drury that the Rangers won’t be re-signing him and are exploring trade options. “I think Artemi’s a great person.
He’s a great pro,” Sullivan said. “He understands it.
He’s going to compete extremely hard for us and help us win. This is a big-picture decision, and I think it’s something that probably predates my time here.”
For Othmann, the picture is still developing. But if Saturday was any indication, the best chapters of his NHL story might still be ahead.