Rangers winger may miss initial roster, but still has a role to play

One of the young New York Rangers players might not be part of the initial roster, according to an insider.

The Athletic's Peter Baugh doubts Brennan Othmann will be part of coach Mike Sullivan's roster, mainly due to his lack of consistency and responsibility with the puck, despite some flashes in training camp.

"Othmann was on a line with Laba on Monday, so he also spent significant time in the defensive zone against the Islanders’ top players,” Baugh said. "He also turned over the puck on multiple occasions. If he’s going to make it as a consistent NHLer, he needs to play more responsibly."

Othmann, 22, has been inconsistent with recurrent turnovers and long possessions in the defensive zone. He has a habit of playing it safe instead of attacking the slot, showing a slow decision rhythm for NHL standards.

Why keeping Brennan Othmann could benefit the Rangers

Still, Othmann could be useful for the Rangers as a fourth/third-line winger, with an F1/F2 forecheck focus, puck recovery and first-slot connection.

Sullivan could give him around 10 minutes per game, without first power-play unit duties, but with tasks in the second unit as a net-front/bumper.

Keeping him on the team will help him develop. NHL traffic and tempo are not replicated in the AHL, and playing at the maximum level would let Othmann learn in real, but limited, situations. Fewer minutes also reduces costly errors and protects his confidence, while Sullivan and the staff mold his game in real time. The Rangers need energy, pressure and slot presence, which Othmann would give the bottom six.

Despite Baugh's skepticism, there is no need to remove the winger from the roster. The best path is to manage his minutes so he adapts to the NHL tempo without burning out.