Prospect Info: At 16th Overall the Rangers Select Brennan Othmann

[Kodiak]

The Rangers need more rough and tumble players. It's weird because everyone screams and yells about the Rangers being a soft team. When the off-season arrives they go back to the previous mindset. We need more skill guys. We need more soft guys.

Schneider is a rough and tumble player. Barely nobody likes him. Let us include in the trade for Eichel. We will play Lundkvist who is the smaller skilled guy. The issue is we already have Fox who is below 6-0. If you look at the recent teams which won Cups, the majority of those teams have big D. I love the proposed lineups with Fox, Lundkvist and Jones. That defense will be destroyed. Then we wonder how come the Rangers never win.

Othmann is a rough and tumble player. The Rangers need that element. Schneider and Othmann are both rough and tumble guys.

The Rangers need players with steel in their balls.

The criticism of Drury is not that he shouldn’t be adding toughness. The criticism is over the apparent singleminded focus on toughness and overvaluing those attributes.

We’ve drafted players before with the caveat “Well, he’s not the most talented player at this pick, but his other attributes should make him at least a useful player if he doesn’t hit his ceiling” and they tend to fall on the lower end of their potential. I’m more comfortable with that thinking in later rounds, not the first.

 

[EdJovanovski]

This player sucks

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

The criticism of Drury is not that he shouldn’t be adding toughness. The criticism is over the apparent singleminded focus on toughness and overvaluing those attributes.

But the Rangers don't lack skill. They lack balance.

 

[I Eat Crow]

It might appear that way, but were you going to take Byfield over Lafreniere last year? Or pass on Kakko the year before? I was hoping for Lucious, but it's not like they have avoided centers.

I also believe that the scouts like next year's crop of centers better and plan on taking one then.

Next two drafts are deep in high end talent.

 

[nyr2k2]

This player sucks

Why don't you take a couple days and go blow off some steam instead of just being a non-stop shitposter? It's pretty lame right now. No one says you have to be happy but you take your doom and gloom to an absurd level.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Why don't you take a couple days and go blow off some steam instead of just being a non-stop shitposter? It's pretty lame right now. No one says you have to be happy but you take your doom and gloom to an absurd level.

I can’t yet, I have to wait until after Free Agency Day because I’m sure Drury will give me plenty of things to be angry about by then

 

[Trueblue30]

Just seems like a boring pick and player

The classic bad skater, good shot, limited top 6 upside.

I didn’t want a goalie but at least wallstedt could develop into a nice trade piece for a goalie hungry team if we decided on trading him in the future.

You could pluck Othmann out of our prospect pool today and I wouldn’t even blink. The direction this team has taken just feels so forced and backwards

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

This player sucks

He doesn't suck.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I can’t yet, I have to wait until after Free Agency Day because I’m sure Drury will give me plenty of things to be angry about by then

So come back then?

I actually enjoy having you around, but you've added nothing constructive to this place since Buch was moved.

Don't be that guy. We have too many of them already.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

I also believe that the scouts like next year's crop of centers better and plan on taking one then.

Next two drafts are deep in high end talent.

I think one of the more frustrating thing as a fan is knowing/hoping the FO knows what they're doing and have a plan and not being privy to it.

 

[Kodiak]

But the Rangers don't lack skill. They lack balance.

True, but the current approach looks to be over-correcting the issue because every move is being viewed through the lens of adding toughness. So we pass on potentially better players because this pick has toughness. And we trade for and sign a free agent at a premium for toughness. And we trade a top line winger with the primary return being a third line plug with toughness. That is not a balanced approach.

 

[jay from jersey]

The criticism of Drury is not that he shouldn’t be adding toughness. The criticism is over the apparent singleminded focus on toughness and overvaluing those attributes.

We’ve drafted players before with the caveat “Well, he’s not the most talented player at this pick, but his other attributes should make him at least a useful player if he doesn’t hit his ceiling” and they tend to fall on the lower end of their potential. I’m more comfortable with that thinking in later rounds, not the first.

He’s gotta get tough players who can play. They need to have the wherewithal to at least keep up with and balance the high end skill we have.
If he just wanted straight toughness go trade for reaves. He’s come pretty cheap. All of his moves so far have made the rangers harder to play against and integrated guys that give 110% and leave it all out on the ice.
Is it right? Have all his moves paid off? It remains to be seen. I would have liked more for Buch too, I’m happy the 2nd is in next years draft and not this one. And Othmann is another player that goes balls out while possessing the skills to contribute.
The main things we complain about as fans, Drury has addressed. Brought in Gallant, got more minutes/more important roles for our young talented wings, brought in players who make our bottom 6 and team as a whole harder to play against, Goodrow by himself brings that culture shift, both him a Blais are cup winners, Othmann seems like a guy that if things go well can be a solid addition to that somewhere in the middle/bottom 6. It’s on him to see how well he can progress.

 

[Gordon Bombay]

I know the masses hate Drury and the pick right now, but it's hard not to like the sound of this guy after reading the write-ups on him. With a little marination we might have one of those homegrown guys we always say we need to get.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

True, but the current approach looks to be over-correcting the issue because every move is being viewed through the lens of adding toughness. So we pass on potentially better players because this pick has toughness. And we trade for and sign a free agent at a premium for toughness. And we trade a top line winger with the primary return being a third line plug with toughness. That is not a balanced approach.

But the toughness you're talking about isn't just about toughness. Goodrow and Blais are not Stu Bickel, they are guys who can add a physical element and open ice for guys. Most importantly, these are guys who will play regular shifts. Reading more about Othmann and he isn't just a "jam" player either. He seems to the more of a Graves-type player more than a Hollweg. He could be what we all hoped Dubinsky would become.

Ultimately, it's being teams that can win games in more ways.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I know the masses hate Drury and the pick right now, but it's hard not to like the sound of this guy after reading the write-ups on him. With a little marination we might have one of those homegrown guys we always say we need to get.

The write ups make him sound like Lias Andersson meets Ryan Gropp

 

[EdJovanovski]

So come back then?

I actually enjoy having you around, but you've added nothing constructive to this place since Buch was moved.

Don't be that guy. We have too many of them already.

I am one of the most optimistic & cheerful people here, I’ll be back to normal soon. But man do I hate this.

 

[Rsswmu]

Didn’t know a ton about the kid when he was drafted, been watching some highlights. Gives me Dubinsky vibes style wise. His skating is also better than people make it out to be.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

The write ups make him sound like Lias Andersson meets Ryan Gropp

I think he sounds like Adam Graves meets Ville Nieminen.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Didn’t know a ton about the kid when he was drafted, been watching some highlights. Gives me Dubinsky vibes style wise. His skating is also better than people make it out to be.

He seems to have a better idea of what kind of player he is than Dubinsky ever did.

 

[Rsswmu]

He seems to have a better idea of what kind of player he is than Dubinsky ever did.

I agree. Still needs a bit more hockey sense in the O zone though. I think he is more skilled than Dubinsky was at this age. He is a pest in a good way as well. Type of guy that throws hit and changes the game.

 

[Gordon Bombay]

The write ups make him sound like Lias Andersson meets Ryan Gropp

Cool.

 

[Appleyard]

Scouting Report: Brennan Othmann - Smaht Scouting

Pretty in depth report on Othmann from Josh Tessler at Smaht Scouting.

Compared him to Brendan Morrow. Projects him as a top 6 winger.

 

[eco's bones]

Not going to lie. I probably had at least 6 guys ahead of Othmann when we took him and really wanted Wallstedt. That said he is a legit 1st round player and is another player who addresses our being too soft problem and we have been too soft. The Rangers don't lack on talent....the problem is more the compete and also our depth at both defense and forward. If our bottom pairing and 4th lines suck we're not going to be a contender and it's as simple as that. We need guys we can go to war with.

 

[Hinterland]

Nice write up on him on the athletic: Rangers' first-round pick Brennan Othmann is a goal scorer and 'ultra-high achiever' in pursuit of his hockey dream

Seems to have some Kreider in him, obsessed with getting better and working out and stuff.

Not a fan of this bs company but that's, for once, a good article. Thanks for posting. I agree that he's crazy driven to win and get better and that that's probably also why he lost his way a little bit last season when things didn't go his way. I think he put too much pressure on himself and when not meeting his own expectations, his decision making suffered a lot and he failed to hide and control his frustration as well which lead to lots of penalty minutes.

You have to say though that even when he's not scoring, he's always giving it 110% and is contributing via efficient hitting and drawing penalties. He's also able to step it up again for big games as we've seen in the Swiss Leagues or the semi final and final at the WJC18. I also agree with Othmann that turning pro and playing against men is gonna help him next season and going forward.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Not going to lie. I probably had at least 6 guys ahead of Othmann when we took him and really wanted Wallstedt. That said he is a legit 1st round player and is another player who addresses our being too soft problem and we have been too soft. The Rangers don't lack on talent....the problem is more the compete and also our depth at both defense and forward. If our bottom pairing and 4th lines suck we're not going to be a contender and it's as simple as that. We need guys we can go to war with.

I'm with you. I was confused/bewildered/betrayed last night, but this is a move that helps balance out a roster that will not be lacking for talent.