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Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette provides brutally honest explanation on why Othmann will be benched

Originally posted on NY Rangers Insider
By Hunter Bowman | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 5:24 PM ET

New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette provided an honest explanation on why he chose to make top prospect Brennan Othmann a healthy scratch for Tuesday's upcoming game against the Calgary Flames.

As the New York Rangers hit the ice for their morning practice on Tuesday, there was a noticeable change in the lineup as former first-round draft pick Brennan Othmann was not participating in the rushes.

Instead of Othmann being in the lineup, the New York Rangers' deadline acquisition Juuso Parssinen officially slotted back into the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last few games for the Rangers.

Peter Laviolette gives honest explanation on why he made Othmann a healthy scratch

Following the practice, Rangers insider Mollie Walker of the New York Post spoke with Peter Laviolette and questioned why he decided to make this move ahead of Tuesday's matchup.

Without any hesitation, Peter Laviolette gave a very honest answer to that question, as he stated the following:

"There's been some things that we look for more from him, that we show him and work with him, both on the offensive side of the puck and the defensive side of the puck... I wanted an opportunity to get a young player back in there in Pärssinen. It's a chance for I think maybe Othmann to reset, reboot and wait for his next opportunity."

Certainly something not a lot of fans agree with considering the way the New York Rangers have been playing as of recently. Hopefully this was the right move as the New York Rangers will take on the Calgary Flames at 7:00PM.

This article first appeared on NY Rangers Insider and was syndicated with permission.

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