Brennan Othmann’s recall last week was viewed as perhaps Othmann’s last chance to stick with the Rangers. Not necessarily thrust into a position to succeed, Othmann played in just one game–looking real bad–before he was scratched and unceremoniously replaced with Jaroslav Chmelar, recalled last night. Matt Rempe’s injury gave Othmann this chance, but it’s clear he wasn’t ready for it, especially on the heels of a rough preseason to boot. With Othmann back down, the biggest question is what comes next for the former first round pick.

1. Othmann played in just one game against Calgary before he was scratched for the remainder of the road trip. He played 12:31 on a line with Noah Laba and Will Cuylle and was on the ice for one goal for and two against. He was on the ice for 11 shot attempts (3 high danger) for and 18 against (2 HD), resulting in 4 SOG for and 5 against. Overall the numbers weren’t too bad, especially with quality, but his line was routinely pinned despite never starting a shift in the defensive zone. On the surface the numbers weren’t that bad, but the Rangers got steamrolled.

2. Not helping matters (for Brennan Othmann) is the Rangers three game win streak after he was removed from the lineup following the one game. The Rangers are allowed rough games here and there, and there are certainly more of them to start the season. But with the Rangers winning and playing well over the last three games, re-inserting Brennan Othmann was never a realistic possibility. He was the extra body on the road trip that we all knew would be returned to Hartford as soon as they got back.

3. The problem with Othmann’s game in Calgary was less about the numbers and more about his passive play. He had just two shot attempts the entire game, passing up prime opportunities to let his superb shot rip. Cuylle and Laba did the work to get him space, and he simply deferred to others. That’s perhaps the biggest problem with how he looked in Calgary. He was passive and not willing to showcase his one elite skill, his shot.

In the preseason, Othmann couldn’t find separation to get his shot off. In Calgary he got the separation but just didn’t shoot. That’s always a problem.

4. Brennan Othmann trade rumors are only going to get more more common with this recent demotion. The “rumored asking price” is an equivalent level AHL talent, but that doesn’t really pass the sniff test. That has all the makings of another GM leaking something to drive the cost down. Even if Othmann’s trade value isn’t that high, it’s clear the Rangers want to dangle him to acquire a win now piece. Not more AHL depth. Othmann could be a sweetener to land a legitimate top-four left defenseman. Or perhaps on his own he could land a low event 3LD on the younger side.

Any hopes of using him to acquire a bigger splash player have likely been dashed with his one gamer and demotion.

5. In terms of specific trade targets that the Rangers can potentially grab in a 1-for-1 trade with Brennan Othmann, or at least without any other significant pieces included, you’re likely going to be disappointed. Maybe San Jose and Shakir Mukhamadullin? He’s in a similar spot with the Sharks–minimal NHL time despite aging out as a prospect–and can’t find a steady role with them. Mike Grier and Chris Drury are obviously friends. Honestly, that was the only player I could find.

It’s going to be tough to move Brennan Othmann without attaching him to a larger trade.

6. There’s obviously still a chance Othmann remains in the organization. This recent blip could be the final wakeup call, or perhaps he just needed time to learn to play within Mike Sullivan’s system (AHL can run the same systems as their NHL counterparts to make things more seamless). Or perhaps this is just a whiff on a mid-teens pick in a 2021 draft filled with mediocrity. That was the Covid draft as well, which made scouting virtually impossible. Only Wyatt Johnston has “made it” from the bottom two-thirds of that first round.

Aside: That 2021 draft was brutal for the Rangers. Only the recently recalled Jaroslav Chmelar and Brody Lamb have any hopes of making it to the NHL. As 5th and 4th round picks, respectively, the odds are stacked against them. Though they do have high ceilings.

7. This isn’t a case of the Rangers rushing Brennan Othmann’s development or mishandling him. He just hasn’t shown he can stick at the NHL level. Some kids are late bloomers. Hopefully that’s the case with Othmann. Question is, how long can the Rangers wait?

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