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

[Hinterland]

@Edge you and I were very keen on Farabee a few years ago. Am I crazy for getting some Joel vibes off of Othmann?

Their look is somewhat similar and Farabee also has a good shot. Othmann is far more physcial and aggressive though while Farabee is rather soft.

 

[Synergy27]

Their look is somewhat similar and Farabee also has a good shot. Othmann is far more physcial and aggressive though while Farabee is rather soft.

I wouldn’t call Farabee soft at all. He’s not a banger hit he’s physically involved. Love that kid.

 

[brakeyawself]

Jones won't be here longer than Miller, given our make up on D, Miller's size and reach are an important part of this d. I love Jones but he is small and with Lindgren and Miller already here he's got a tough road to be a long term solution here.

I completely disagree. I don't think Miller's size and reach, without physicality, are actually that much of an important part of Rangers defense. The guy needs to add toughness and strength too, which he seems to lack at times.

Whether Miller stays or goes, completely depends on how he continues to progress. The same with Jones. And Jones is, IMO much better offensively.

But there's no way to tell right now. Miller could just as easily hit a wall, not reach his full potential, and turn into a trade chip a few years down the road. Or Jones could. But based on Jones' offense and Miller's lack of toughness and physical play, I could see it making Miller the odd man out.

Don't confuse a good rookie season for becoming an integral part of the defense. Especially when a player has just one NHL season under their belt.

 

[brakeyawself]

Their look is somewhat similar and Farabee also has a good shot. Othmann is far more physcial and aggressive though while Farabee is rather soft.

Farabee soft? Where did that fantasy come from? Are we talking about Joel Farabee of the Flyers? Or like, a Bee named Fara? If it's the latter, then maybe they are soft. If it's the former, the Flyers player, then he isn't even close to soft. He plays with grit, he's all over the ice, hes good on the forecheck and he hustles all the time. While not exactly a power forward, he's the opposite of soft.

 

[Hinterland]

Farabee soft? Where did that fantasy come from? Are we talking about Joel Farabee of the Flyers? Or like, a Bee named Fara? If it's the latter, then maybe they are soft. If it's the former, the Flyers player, then he isn't even close to soft. He plays with grit, he's all over the ice, hes good on the forecheck and he hustles all the time. While not exactly a power forward, he's the opposite of soft.

I disagree. In terms of hitting and physicality, him and Othmann are like night and day. Not even close. I don't recall seeing any hard hits from him and the volume also isn't there. Soft player. He fought Marcus Foligno though so he has my respect for that one.

 

[brakeyawself]

I disagree. In terms of hitting and physicality, him and Othmann are like night and day. Not even close. I don't recall seeing any hard hits from him and the volume also isn't there. Soft player. He fought Marcus Foligno though so he has my respect for that one.

You said Farabee is soft. You didn't say that softness was relative to Othmann. There's a huge difference between "being soft" and "being softer" than someone else. Farabee is in no way "soft". He just doesn't throw his body around recklessly and constantly like Othmann seems to. Hit's is an overrated stat and a fairly hard one to correctly gauge.

And you didn't say he doesn't get "hits". You said he was "soft." Those are also two different things. But hits as a stat in general is really not a good measure of a players grit and toughness. It's just a measure of their ability to check and then have your team gain possession. The way the rule is actually worded in the rule book, leaves room for subjective opinion.

 

[Hinterland]

You said Farabee is soft. You didn't say that softness was relative to Othmann. There's a huge difference between "being soft" and "being softer" than someone else. Farabee is in no way "soft". He just doesn't throw his body around recklessly and constantly like Othmann seems to. Hit's is an overrated stat and a fairly hard one to correctly gauge.

And you didn't say he doesn't get "hits". You said he was "soft." Those are also two different things. But hits as a stat in general is really not a good measure of a players grit and toughness. It's just a measure of their ability to check and then have your team gain possession.

Farabee is soft and even softer compared to high energy guys like Othmann. I don't blame Farabee for it, he's small and skilled...but he's soft. Again, lots of respect for the guy for fighting Foligno though. Was a dumb idea but certainly brave. Not many guys of his weight class would challenge Foligno to a fight

 

[dangsLITE]

so where is he playing next season?

 

[brakeyawself]

Farabee is soft and even softer compared to high energy guys like Othmann. I don't blame Farabee for it, he's small and skilled...but he's soft. Again, lots of respect for the guy for fighting Foligno though. Was a dumb idea but certainly brave. Not many guys of his weight class would challenge Foligno to a fight

hahaha Rofl. That absolutely ridiculous. None of that is true. Farabee is small? He's 6 foot tall. The same height as Othmann.

He is in no way soft. I am starting to think you've never actually ever watched Joel Farabee play if this is your opinion of him. I've never heard anyone ever call him soft. But he's also a heck of a lot faster and a million times better a skater than Othmann so he doesn't have to throw his body around to be effective. And he doesn't need to throw his body around to be tough. And he is a high energy guy. He's all over the ice. He just isn't propelling himself headfirst into other players. And Othmann is going to get a big surprise when he tries playing the way he does against AHL/NHL players. He's going to have a big adjustment period where he will need to learn how and when to use his physicality more. It's not going to be like the Swiss league or the OHL where he can push little kids around or isn't facing the best talent in the world.

If your definition of "soft" is a player who doesn't needlessly throw his body around, well that would just be absurd. Joel Farabee is like, the opposite of every single thing you said about him. And Othmann is going to need to learn how to use his body better without being a human ragdoll. Half the reason he probably has to do that stuff is because his skating is sub par and he isn't as fast as many players. He's fast enough sure. But his skating has a long way to go.

I am still laughing about Farabee being "small" when he's the same height as the player you are arguing is bigger. And Othmann is only about 9 pounds heavier than Farabee.

Really, I think you need to actually watch Farabee play and not just make assumptions or perhaps repeat what you heard somewhere from someone.

 

[Hinterland]

hahaha Rofl. You are absolutely ridiculous. None of that is true. Farabee is small? He's 6 foot tall. The same height as Othmann.

He is in no way soft. I am starting to think you've never actually ever watched Joel Farabee play if this is your opinion of him. I've never heard anyone ever call him soft. But he's also a heck of a lot faster and a million times better a skater than Othmann so he doesn't have to throw his body around to be effective. And he doesn't need to throw his body around to be tough, and he is a high energy guy.

If your definition of "soft" is a player who doesn't needlessly throw his body around, well that would just be absurd. Joel Farabee is like, the opposite of every single thing you said about him. And Othmann is going to need to learn how to use his body better without being a human ragdoll. Half the reason he probably has to do that stuff is because his skating is sub par and he isn't as fast as many players. He's fast enough sure. But his skating has a long way to go.

I am still laughing about Farabee being "small" when he's the same height as the player you are arguing is bigger. And Othmann is only about 9 pounds heavier than Farabee.

Really, I think you need to actually watch Farabee play and not just make assumptions or perhaps repeat what you heard somewhere from someone.

I disagree. You need to be a good skater in order to be an effective hitter. A guy like Reaves is zero effective and a laughing matter because he can't skate. Othmann is a pretty good skater and that's why he's even able to run over guys the way does.

Farabee may be 6'0 but he's an absolute lightweight. 164 lbs usually isn't enough to be efficient at hitting or winning battles in the NHL so you better have lots of other qualities. Which he does. But he's soft.

 

[Irishguy42]

The player itself is fine. Othmann was a fine player to pick in the 1st round, but not at the position the Rangers picked him at with the options on the board.

Overall, *shrug*. They could have done better at that slot they picked at, but they certainly could have done a lot worse in the first round (see Ottawa)

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I disagree. In terms of hitting and physicality, him and Othmann are like night and day. Not even close. I don't recall seeing any hard hits from him and the volume also isn't there. Soft player. He fought Marcus Foligno though so he has my respect for that one.

I always roll my eyes when fans call hockey players soft. They're not soft. Some of them are just not the energizer bunny skating around hitting everything they see. That doesn't make them soft.

Buchnevich isn't soft for instance, and neither is Farabee.

 

[brakeyawself]

I disagree. You need to be a good skater in order to be an effective hitter. A guy like Reaves is zero effective and a laughing matter because he can't skate. Othmann is a pretty good skater and that's why he's even able to run over guys the way does.

Farabee may be 6'0 but he's an absolute lightweight. 164 lbs usually isn't enough to be efficient at hitting or winning battles in the NHL so you better have lots of other qualities. Which he does. But he's soft.

Well, now I know you haven’t watched him play.

Dude, you are just completely making things up. Othmann is miles behind a Farabee as a skater. Farabee is also a heck of a lot faster. Othmann skating is soooo much worse. It’s the biggest negative against him, that and his play in the defensive zone. So no, Othmann is not a good skater or particularly fast. And Farabees skating and speed are also why he’s better defensively.

How’s do you argue skating is key to this aspect, and then argue the far worse skater is better better at same trait? Do you even realize what you’re arguing? Farabee is a million times better at skating. By your logic that would make him better at hitting than Othmann.

AND FArabee s only 9 pounds lighter atm.

YOUR argument is completely baseless. And right now Farabee is also substantially better in the defensive zone than Othmann.

It really sounds like you just play fantasy hockey and don’t watch the games.

 

[Hinterland]

I always roll my eyes when fans call hockey players soft. They're not soft. Some of them are just not the energizer bunny skating around hitting everything they see. That doesn't make them soft.

Buchnevich isn't soft for instance, and neither is Farabee.

I agree. Just compared to most other NHLers, Farabee is soft. Which is fair because most guys are also much havier. I think Buchnevich is much tougher. But again, props to the guy for challenging Foligno. That was a crazy thing to do.

 

[brakeyawself]

• I agree. Just compared to most other NHLers, Farabee is soft. Which is fair because most guys are also much havier. I think Buchnevich is much tougher. But again, props to the guy for challenging Foligno. That was a crazy thing to do.

  
  ROFl. I think you may be soft in the head. Again, Farabee is only 9 pounds lighter than Othmann and still has room to add muscle.
  
  And Farabee s hands down a far superior skater and faster than Othmann. Which again, by your logic means he’s a better hitter.
  
  Farabee is excellent at skating. Othmann is not. And soft players don’t take on Foligno at all. Farabee is tough as nails, high energy, good defensively and all over the ice.

 

[Hinterland]

Well, now I know you haven’t watched him play.

Dude, you are just completely making things up. Othmann is miles behind a Farabee as a skater. Farabee is also a heck of a lot faster. Othmann skating is soooo much worse. It’s the biggest negative against him, that and his play in the defensive zone.

How’s do you argue skating is key to this aspect, and then argue the far worse skater is better better at same trait.

I'm watching more hockey than probably 90-99% on hfboards. Farabee is soft. Name me only one 164 lbs player who's tough. There may be or have been some but I can't think of one. It's usually just not enough to be effective in the physicality department and it's visible when watching Farabee.

Othmann's skating is completely fine. He was one of the best skaters on wider European ice in a league where skating is key. The Swiss League is pretty much a development league with lots of younger, fast skating guys. It's not a particularly good league but if you can't skate, you've got a problem. Othmann was visibly one of the better skaters there. He was at the WJC18 as well.

200 ft game is actually one of his strengths. Othmann doesn't really have a big weakness. He just needs seasoning to round out his skillset and get to where he wants to be. That's gonna take time. Right now he's lacking consistency and tends to revert back to OHL plays or making bad decisions when things don't go his way. His hockey IQ I think isn't bad but decision making letting him down is the reason why he at times isn't scoring the way he should be. And before you ask, I've seen all games (which the exception of those without a tv production) of him this season.

 

[brakeyawself]

delete

 

[Hinterland]

• 
  
  ROFl. I think you may be soft in the head. Again, Farabee is only 9 pounds lighter than Othmann and still has room to add muscle.
  
  And Farabee s hands down a far superior skater and faster than Othmann. Which again, by your logic means he’s a better hitter.
  
  Farabee is excellent at skating. Othmann is not. And soft players don’t take on Foligno at all. Farabee is tough as nails, high energy, good defensively and all over the ice.

Lots of room to add muscles. No doubt about that. I actually think he hasn't hit the gym nearly hard enough. Unless there's another problem of course. For some people it's much easier than for others.

Farabee is an excellent skater of course but Othmann's skating is fine, too. His skating isn't nearly as bad as many claimed.

 

[brakeyawself]

I'm watching more hockey than probably 90-99% on hfboards. Farabee is soft. Name me only one 164 lbs player who's tough. There may be or have been some but I can't think of one. It's usually just not enough to be effective in the physicality department and it's visible when watching Farabee.

Othmann's skating is completely fine. He was one of the best skaters on wider European ice in a league where skating is key. The Swiss League is pretty much a development league with lots of younger, fast skating guys. It's not a particularly good league but if you can't skate, you've got a problem. Othmann was visibly one of the better skaters there. He was at the WJC18 as well.

200 ft game is actually one of his strengths. Othmann doesn't really have a big weakness. He just needs seasoning to round out his skillset and get to where he wants to be. That's gonna take time. Right now he's lacking consistency and tends to revert back to OHL plays or making bad decisions when things don't go his way. His hockey IQ I think isn't bad but decision making letting him down is the reason why he at times isn't scoring the way he should be. And before you ask, I've seen all games (which the exception of those without a tv production) of him this season.

Ok, ill name one JOel Farabee.

And boy are you out to lunch. You clearly hate losing an argument and will make things up and push complete nonsense in an attempt to win an argument you all ready lost.

No they only don’t I think you’ve watched Farabee play, but I don’t think you’ve way watched Othmann play either.

And Othmann biggest weakness are skating and in the defensive zone because he lacks adequate skill skating and speed. Speed can improve when skating does.

You’ve contradicted yourself a number of times. And I’d bet money you don’t watch more than 90% of those on this board.

Good luck with that nonsense. You may have a career in politics though. Making up arguments as you go along and convincing yourself it’s all true. When reality is the opposite of your argument.

 

[Fitzy]

I know very little about the kid, but should we be concerned that he had a very pedestrian stat line in the league a tier below the one Auston Matthews tore a new asshole his pre draft year?

 

[brakeyawself]

I'm watching more hockey than probably 90-99% on hfboards. Farabee is soft. Name me only one 164 lbs player who's tough. There may be or have been some but I can't think of one. It's usually just not enough to be effective in the physicality department and it's visible when watching Farabee.

Othmann's skating is completely fine. He was one of the best skaters on wider European ice in a league where skating is key. The Swiss League is pretty much a development league with lots of younger, fast skating guys. It's not a particularly good league but if you can't skate, you've got a problem. Othmann was visibly one of the better skaters there. He was at the WJC18 as well.

200 ft game is actually one of his strengths. Othmann doesn't really have a big weakness. He just needs seasoning to round out his skillset and get to where he wants to be. That's gonna take time. Right now he's lacking consistency and tends to revert back to OHL plays or making bad decisions when things don't go his way. His hockey IQ I think isn't bad but decision making letting him down is the reason why he at times isn't scoring the way he should be. And before you ask, I've seen all games (which the exception of those without a tv production) of him this season.

I read this again. I really am embarrassed for you. AT least watch the players before posting bs.

 

[brakeyawself]

I know very little about the kid, but should we be concerned that he had a very pedestrian stat line in the league a tier below the one Auston Matthews tore a new asshole his pre draft year?

Othmann is no sure thing. He has a lot or to do especially skating.

And yes, I’d be slightly concerned but he’s still a very good prospect. But his lack of skating and need to throw his body around could likely lead to injury. He needs to refine his game a ton. On defense more than offense. He’s got a very good shot.

 

[Edge]

@Edge you and I were very keen on Farabee a few years ago. Am I crazy for getting some Joel vibes off of Othmann?

Absolutely. The package is less defined than Farabee’s was at the same stage, but the ability to translate to the NHL would ideally have a lot of similarities, as would the role.

 

[Hinterland]

I know very little about the kid, but should we be concerned that he had a very pedestrian stat line in the league a tier below the one Auston Matthews tore a new asshole his pre draft year?

No. Because he proved he can score in pro hockey the first 12 games and during playoffs. He just had a long cold streak in the middle.

Also, as I wrote in the McTavish thread on the draft subforum, Matthews played on a very loaded Lions team. Many on that team went on to play NHL or have played NHL before. Matthews was surrounded by a lot of talent and opponents couldn't focus on him either because the entire team was so strong. Olten on the other hand played a very poor season and they went on a major losing streak while McTavish and Othmann were with them. Also, both McTavish and Othmann spent quite a bit of time with the imports and since you're only allowed to have 2 of them in the Swiss League, every team will just try to shut down the opponents imports. Nobody is gonna try to make plays against them. So while Othmann and McTavish did get better linemates when playing with the imports, they also had to deal with the opponents best shutdown players who cared about nothing but not getting scored on.

And again, as I stated already...I think Othmann is a player who's gonna need time. Brad Marchand also struggled with consistency at that age...at least in terms of offense.

 

[Hinterland]

Othmann is no sure thing. He has a lot or to do especially skating.

And yes, I’d be slightly concerned but he’s still a very good prospect. But his lack of skating and need to throw his body around could likely lead to injury. He needs to refine his game a ton. On defense more than offense. He’s got a very good shot.

As I stated already, Othmann has a very high floor. Worst case you get a bottom six energy guy with a lethal shot who's gonna run over everything that moves.