Why Rangers coach was so impressed with Brennan Othmann against Sharks: ‘He had real impact’
Pretty much all of the talk after New York Rangers practice Tuesday centered around Gabe Perreault, the 19-year-old forward who joined the big club after signing his entry-level contract the day before.
But Rangers coach Peter Laviolette made it a point to compliment another of New York’s top prospects, too. Laviolette focused for a bit on Brennan Othmann, the 2021 first-round pick who stood out in a 6-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
“Othmann probably played his best game last game, and so he had a real impact in the game,” Laviolette explained. “Just talking with him, want to see him build off of that and take the next step from there.
“He’s getting looks to score, the puck’s on his stick and he’s looking to create and make things happen. The next step is to continue and build off of that and have that impact in the game that he did last game.”
“Othmann probably played his best game last game, and so he had a real impact in the game,” Laviolette explained. “Just talking with him, want to see him build off of that and take the next step from there.
“He’s getting looks to score, the puck’s on his stick and he’s looking to create and make things happen. The next step is to continue and build off of that and have that impact in the game that he did last game.”
Othmann has played 16 of the past 17 games since he was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League in late February. Though he has only two assists, the 22-year-old is playing physically, getting to the net and been noticeable much more often than not.
After spending most of his time on the fourth line, Othmann moved up in the lineup to skate on a line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck recently. He hasn’t looked out of place at all, though Othmann still seeks his first NHL goal. The goals will come. He scored 50 one season in junior and had 21 as a rookie pro in Hartford last season.
Against the Sharks, Othmann nearly scored after streaking past San Jose’s defenders to get a clean look in tight, but his backhand shot hit the side of the net. He also looked the part, ripping a right-wing shot off the rush for another good scoring chance, that one handled by Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev.
Othmann did pick up a point, assisting on Adam Fox’s goal early in the second period that made it 3-0. It was a beaut. Taking Mika Zibanejad’s quick pass from the right point, Othmann then zipped a seam pass from left to right that allowed Fox to score an easy goal.
Laviolette made the case that top young talent like Othmann and Perreault need to keep building off their successes playing in the best league in the world.
