From Promise to Patience: Is All Hope Lost for the Young New York Prospect?
The New York Rangers are just three games into preseason, and fans have been exceptionally pleased with a few youngsters. New York fans have high hopes for Gabe Perreault as he began right where he left off against New Jersey, with another goal against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. The kids got quite an impressive shot and doesn't seem to hesitate to shoot the puck, something this team needs quite a bit. One player who appears not to be getting enough credit is the youngster Noah Laba; his development is undoubtedly one to watch. As impressive as a few of these young players have been, fans seem to be running out of patience for a particular prospect.
If there were ever a Rangers prospect with the worst of luck, that would be Brennan Othmann. Even before making his way into the AHL, his luck was already lopsided with some extra time in the OHL, thus ruining his early chance at development. Even so, his time in the AHL seemed to decline ever since his rookie season. Even when called up to the NHL, the young prospect still has yet to earn his first NHL goal, and doesn't make a strong case with two assists in 22 games last season. The worst part is that this is only from last year; three preseason games into the new season, and things have already been quite negative for the young prospect, despite earning himself his first preseason goal earlier tonight.
Othmann joined the Blueshirts on the ice on Sunday in their 5-3 win against the New Jersey Devils, looking for a good start to paint a good sign for the New York fans. While the prospect didn't earn himself any points that night, he did earn himself an early exit in the third period. As the third period went on, Brennan Othmann laid an elbow to the face of Calen Addison, resulting in a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Fortunately for Othmann, he didn't receive any discipline for his penalty, meaning there's nothing to do but learn from his stupid mistake. Although these preseason games do not directly affect the upcoming regular season, a mistake like that sends a negative signal about the prospects' chances of making the roster. While Othmann has the same goal as any hockey prospect when it comes to making the opening roster, he looks unlikely to make it, testing the patience of New York fans even further.
Since his debut on January 4th, 2024, against Chicago, Othmann has become a prime example of a player developing at their own pace. When it comes to teams that know how to develop, the Rangers may not be on that list. More than four years since Othmann was drafted in 2021, and fans don't seem to think he's any closer to remaining in MSG permanently. Just two assists in 22 NHL games isn't getting anyone more ice-time, even with the kind of season the Blueshirts had last year. The prospect's development is indeed taking time, but is more time in the AHL the worst possible thing?
Every NHL prospect shares the same goal of someday making their debut in the big leagues; plenty more share the same mentality of waiting, however long it takes. New York fans' patience with Othmann may be crumbling apart, but let's not act like no NHL player has gone through this. One of the most prominent examples of this is Brad Marchand, drafted in 2006, spending three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and a full season in the AHL, at long last becoming a permanent figure on the Boston Bruins during the 2010-2011 season, and we all know how that ended. From a prospect who stayed patient to a two-time Stanley Cup champion, showing no signs of stopping after just signing an extension with the Florida Panthers.
One of the most essential aspects when it comes to working your way up is patience, and as long as Othmann stays true to that, there's no doubt he will remain confident that his time will soon come. The young prospect may not have what it takes to become a permanent resident on the ice in MSG, but an opportunity will likely present itself at some point this season. Othmann has his preseason goal; let's hope that's the start of something significant going forward. Weeks away from opening night, and whether it's in Hartford or MSG, this young prospect remains confident his time will come.
