Rangers Prospect Brennan Othmann’s Trade Rumors & Making Sense Of It

The big news this week for the New York Rangers, aside from the inability to find the back of the net, was Brennan Othmann. It’s news that impacts the NHL club and, by default, their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Elliotte Friedman reported on Thursday that he’s on the trade block and it’s a developing story.  

Othmann is a top prospect in the system. Even after a bad rookie and training camp, he should still have a path to the Rangers. So, why are the rumors surfacing and why now, of all times (instead of before the season)? Also, what should the fans make of the talks? 

Othmann is Becoming Expendable

The Rangers have a farm system with plenty of talent on the wing. With Gabe Perreault joining the Wolf Pack this season and putting together an impressive start to his pro career, plus Brett Berard stepping up in the AHL and NHL, it makes Othmann the odd one out. 

The bad camp was a sign that Othmann’s time with the Rangers is running out. They can trade him and get good value in return. He was their 16th overall selection in the 2021 draft, and at this point, he’s not making the progress within the organization to make it to the NHL. It also won’t be the worst thing since the Rangers can move him and add prospects at positions of need, specifically, center and defense.  

Othmann might seem like damaged goods at this point. He’s had injuries, and at 22 years old, there’s no room for development. However, there are plenty of teams that can use a talent like him and will make an offer to the Rangers. 

Othmann Needs a Fresh Start

The reality is that Othmann is a great player and has elite talent. He has a burst from the wing and a shot that can change a game on a given shift. The problem is that it’s not translating with the Rangers, who would prefer steady options on their third line, like Noah Laba or Perreault. 

Othmann will be traded somewhere and then see his career take off. He has the skill to be an NHLer but needs a team willing to let him stay in a given role. As a third-line or even a second-line winger, he can provide the scoring touch needed to add depth to an offense. 

Who Might Acquire Him?

The thing with the Rangers is that they are looking for veterans and need to upgrade a win-now team. This is particularly an issue with their offense, which has yet to score at Madison Square Garden and has only had one goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. This means an Othmann trade will happen in one of two ways. Either he’ll be a part of a package where the Rangers acquire an elite talent, or he’ll be swapped in a one-for-one deal with another prospect. 

There are a few teams that come to mind with this in mind. 

• The San Jose Sharks are rebuilding and can flip Ty Dellandrea or Philipp Kurashev. 
• The Calgary Flames might move Nazem Kadri or Rasmus Andersson to help out their rebuild, and will look to trade them for young forwards. 
• The Columbus Blue Jackets and Yegor Chinakov have been at odds, and could swap him in a trade. 

These trades are all possible but might take time to unfold, aside from the Blue Jackets, that is. However, it’s these types of teams that are worth monitoring. 

Othmann Isn’t Alone

The AHL is filled with prospects who are good and can make the NHL someday. However, they don’t have a path with their respective teams. It’s why they need a fresh start somewhere else where they can see their careers take off. 

Samu Tuomaala is an All-Star-level player for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and has incredible flashes. Yet, he’s seen as an afterthought in a Philadelphia Flyers pipeline that has plenty of prospects. Georgii Merkulov is a top-tier AHL player who has seen time in the NHL, but the Boston Bruins haven’t given him a full-time spot on their roster. Isak Rosen is one of the many talented skaters on the Rochester Americans that the Buffalo Sabres have kept in the system for too long. Othmann is just the latest name to enter what is becoming a laundry list.