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

[RangerBlues]

Sounds like some lunatic overanalyzing this kid into a dog pile.

 

[Hinterland]

I wonder what the odds are of him going back to Switzerland either his D+1 or his D+2. I know an NL team showed interest in him this past season although another year with EHC Olten would be great too.

I guess it all depends on the OHL restarting or cancelling another season.

I think he could benefit from playing 1 or 2 full pro seasons before trying to make the NHL. I don't know much about the situation there but I can't see the OHL not playing again. That would be an absolute tragedy.

 

[brakeyawself]

yea k'andre to me is one of our bigger question marks. obviously he has some physical tools that can blow you away, but when you look at him on the whole he's kinda ...idno shapeless? like his skating is unreal when he gets moving, can blow past everyone on the ice effortlessly and then get back if the play goes the other way. but on the other side, he hasn't really shown high end offensive instincts so he doesn't create much off those rushes. hes got a nice shot - clapper is a bomb, but his puck skills are just ok, hasn't shown much in the way of playmaking, and he really struggled at times with the basics like handling a pass at the blue line. like theres times where i could envision him becoming brent burns like where he's just bigger stronger faster with enough skill that he can just bulldoze his way into creating chances. but we didn't see a ton of that last year - and yes he was a rookie, so those kind of plays may come with time as he becomes more comfortable with when to push the envelope and he should improve to some degree in puckhandling. but to date its hard for me to have a high degree of confidence in his offensive game evolving to the point he's a true threat / point producer.

and defensively he's definitely got some holes. on the plus side he's generally very good at knocking pucks off stucks both in open ice and on the boards. and specifically on the boards he was impressive in not just knocking pucks loose but to an area he could get to them. he's not overly physical, he'll rub guys out on the wall and he will take some shots behind the net. but he's far from imposing or what i'd term aggressive. i was actually disappointed in the aftermath of the wilson incident we didn't see any edge from him. he's the biggest guy on the bench, fighting might not be his thing but would have been nice to see him at least make a point of finishing some people off with an edge and bullying some people post whistle around the net. he also had some issues with guys one on one...he'll stop moving his feet and theres just too many places to put pucks through him, and if he gets turned he's toast. again something he can certainly improve on as he progresses and he has only been playing d for a few years so not trashing him...but that improvement does need to start coming. he's really at his best when hes flying all over the ice and being instinctive, he made some unbelievably athletic plays / intelligent reads racing back into the play this year. he was also just disastrous at times with his decision making stepping up in the neutral zone...plays he had absolutely no chance of making that hung trouba out to dry far too often. that needs to get cleaned up.

but long story short he's got a lot of grey area. there's certainly some abilities that could allow him to become a monster. but he also strikes me as a guy that isn't strong enough on either side of the ice to be a core member. either his offensive game needs to take some serious strides in the next 2 years or his defensive game needs to round out significantly and he needs to add an edge to his play. otherwise he becomes like a tom poti...not enough skill to produce offense and not bringing enough defensively to justify a roster spot. feels weird to say with how young and gifted he is, but he needs to figure out what his game is going to be and what he needs to do / work on to play it with a high level of consistency

Very well written analysis. I couldn't agree more. Right now, I think there is no telling which of Jones, Miller, Robertson or possibly even Lundqvist will still be with the Rangers in 2 years time. Fox, Lindgren and Trouba seem like the only ones absolutely staying for the time being. And Trouba, possibly only because of his hefty contract and NMC. It realistically could be any of them staying and any of them going.

I just hope Drury manages these asset values better than he managed Buch as an asset.

 

[brakeyawself]

In my view, a player who's "not physical", "getting pushed around", not hitting enough or, how I described it, just isn't winning enough physcial battles is soft. If you have a different definition that's fine with me.

Yea, I get that. You have a different definition of "soft" than pretty much everyone else.

And while Farabee got "pushed around" plenty his rookie season. He's made huge strides since then. He's great on the boards and in dirty areas. And he's not great in those areas because he gets "pushed around" easily. Even for a light player. His strength is greater than his weight would suggest. Probably because his frame isn't small, being 6 ft.

So your analysis of his play isn't even really accurate at this point in time in his career.

 

[brakeyawself]

I love how hinterland took up all this space with said pissing contest and then hit "like" on your comment as if he wasn't one of the main culprits lol.

Little sneaky, face saving things like that are what make this place so fun sometimes

ROFl. I will fully admit, I refused to budge because I thought his analysis was purely BS.

Now that I know for sure he's playing semantic shenanigans, I will let him blow wind without bothering.

So back to Othmann. He's all right lol.

 

[brakeyawself]

I think he could benefit from playing 1 or 2 full pro seasons before trying to make the NHL. I don't know much about the situation there but I can't see the OHL not playing again. That would be an absolute tragedy.

Power Forwards often do take a year or two longer than other players. So I wouldn't be at all surprised. As I said, I think the Othmann pick was undertaken with an eye on maturing around 2025-2026 when Panarin's contract is up. And right now, there's no telling if we would re-sign breadman at that point.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yea, I get that. You have a different definition of "soft" than pretty much everyone else.

And while Farabee got "pushed around" plenty his rookie season. He's made huge strides since then. He's great on the boards and in dirty areas. And he's not great in those areas because he gets "pushed around" easily. Even for a light player. His strength is greater than his weight would suggest. Probably because his frame isn't small, being 6 ft.

So your analysis of his play isn't even really accurate at this point in time in his career.

Can we please put a bow on this whole "Farabee is soft" debate and go back to talking about Othmann?

If you want to talk about Farabee, go to the "Around the League" thread please.

 

[RGY]

I am really just indifferent on the pick. I would have liked to have grabbed a Center there but its not the end of the world. It was a weak draft class that was not helped by the pandemic in terms of developmental progress. At the end of the day, whether it was one of the centers or Othmann, I think you were looking at a player that is 3-4 years away. And with that in mind, things can change quickly for your organization within those 3-4 years in terms of addressing the center position. So yes I think Drury made the safe pick here. He went the more defined pick. You know pretty much what you are going to get. A kid who could be a 2nd line winger but if anything he can be someone who compliments the talent up front by bringing the energy style play. Quite frankly, his style of play can get him to the team quicker by a year or 2. So I can understand that mindset.

Next year is a deeper draft. They could be adding more picks if they trade Strome. They could use their assets to move up to a spot and select a Center there that is 2-3 years away from the NHL and then all the sudden the timeline is essentially the same as selecting Svechkov, Lucius, or Bolduc. Yes someone might say well then you could have had two centers in the pipeline. But, is that really a big difference when you only have 4 Center positions to offer? 1st line and 2nd line will likely be taken. 4C should be bargain bin options because why waste a prospects ELC on the 4th line unless you really need to or its called for. Point is, again, its not the end of the world they went winger here.

 

[kovazub94]

Power Forwards often do take a year or two longer than other players. So I wouldn't be at all surprised. As I said, I think the Othmann pick was undertaken with an eye on maturing around 2025-2026 when Panarin's contract is up. And right now, there's no telling if we would re-sign breadman at that point.

How are you not getting it? No one wants to just scroll through the pages of your and @Hinterland back and forth. Go have a private chat to settle whatever you two have going.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I will say one thing, the overwhelming negativity around this pick simply because most people wanted a center is pretty strange. Othmann is a pretty good prospect and has a lot of skills we're missing in the organization. He has a lot of potential to be a pretty good goal scorer

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I will say one thing, the overwhelming negativity around this pick simply because most people wanted a center is pretty strange. Othmann is a pretty good prospect and has a lot of skills we're missing in the organization. He has a lot of potential to be a pretty good goal scorer

And we need wingers as much as we need centers in our prospect pool. The wingers we have now don't really have the upside to play in the top-6.

 

[apoptygma]

We need a center more then a we need another wing right now, but whatever center we had selected at 16 would be years away anyway. Post 1. round forward picks we have made since 2017 have mostly been bad (some stiff giants, some swedes with uncertain ceiling etc.). Ohtmann should be a valuable asset going forward, and we need several others like him to keep the window open as long as possible trough Kakko, Fox and Lafrenieres careers. Guess that was what irritated me most about the Buch trade, only a single 2. rounder to keep the window together with the depth grit we needed at the moment.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

I do feel bad for this kid, it seem he caught the brunt of the fanbases ire over the Buch trade

 

[romba]

One thing I can def get on board with from the pissing contest is Miller needing to add some net front and in the corners grit. Protect the goalie a teensy bit after the play, protect the puck and block it off in the corners instead of reaching to poke it before you get there, and lastly you're a big boy so apply physical pressure HARD against opponent going for the puck in the corner. No need to fight or throw huge hits, just grittiness.

Regarding this pick, someone mentioned a LA comparison, what's his MTWAR (Medal Tossing)

 

[Shadowtron]

I do feel bad for this kid, it seem he caught the brunt of the fanbases ire over the Buch trade

Not just that...there was was better talent on the board. The fact that they picked Othmann with Svechkov and Wallstedt still available just frustrates the hell out of me. If both of those players are gone at 16, then I'd be far more indifferent on this pick.

And honestly, I hope I eat a massive plate of crow over all of this. But right now, not feeling this pick at all. Feels like the McIlrath debacle all over again.

 

[eco's bones]

I will say one thing, the overwhelming negativity around this pick simply because most people wanted a center is pretty strange. Othmann is a pretty good prospect and has a lot of skills we're missing in the organization. He has a lot of potential to be a pretty good goal scorer

I think Othmann will become a good player. That said I was so pissed when they didn’t take Wallstedt. I like the Wild’s and Jets drafting the last couple years. Carolina with Jarvis last year. He could be a Barzal.

 

[Jim Ramsay]

Not just that...there was was better talent on the board. The fact that they picked Othmann with Svechkov and Wallstedt still available just frustrates the hell out of me. If both of those players are gone at 16, then I'd be far more indifferent on this pick.

And honestly, I hope I eat a massive plate of crow over all of this. But right now, not feeling this pick at all. Feels like the McIlrath debacle all over again.

Im sorry, but Its absolutely crazy to compare this to McIlrath.

This kid was picked in a range a lot of people pegged him around, McIlrath was completely off the board and many people were literally shocked he was taken when he was

 

[Shadowtron]

Im sorry, but Its absolutely crazy to compare this to McIlrath.

This kid was picked in a range a lot of people pegged him around, McIlrath was completely off the board and many people were literally shocked he was taken when he was

Apologies, I didn't mean to seem like I was making a comparison of the players or their respective rankings. I know Othmann wasn't a reach, in that regard. I just feel like two far better prospects fell into their laps, and they skipped them for Othmann...who I can envision being 24-25yo and still unable to consistently crack the lineup. Right now, I just hate this pick and am salty about it lol!

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I do feel bad for this kid, it seem he caught the brunt of the fanbases ire over the Buch trade

100% agreed. I think the fact that he's not a center is less a reason for the ire than for the return on the Buch trade – which is only compounded by the fact that Othmann's described as playing a relentless game, something people read to be prioritizing grit over skill, when in fact scouts rave about his shot, puck protection, and nose for the net. Again, the hope is that he becomes Steve Larmer, not Kris King.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

What are the chances he makes Canada’s U20 team?

Strong showing at the u18s i’m sure helps a bit?

 

[eco's bones]

100% agreed. I think the fact that he's not a center is less a reason for the ire than for the return on the Buch trade – which is only compounded by the fact that Othmann's described as playing a relentless game, something people read to be prioritizing grit over skill, when in fact scouts rave about his shot, puck protection, and nose for the net. Again, the hope is that he becomes Steve Larmer, not Kris King.

I loved Steve Larmer in his two years with us. There was a Swiss Army knife. He did everything well and he wasn't the greatest skater either. That was maybe the weakest part of his game. Really fine hockey IQ both offensively and defensively and a leader on the ice. He use to bark at Kovalev when Alexei would start to run around and get him back into the game again. He was always picking off passes in the neutral zone and turning them around into scoring chances.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I loved Steve Larmer in his two years with us. There was a Swiss Army knife. He did everything well and he wasn't the greatest skater either. That was maybe the weakest part of his game. Really fine hockey IQ both offensively and defensively and a leader on the ice. He use to bark at Kovalev when Alexei would start to run around and get him back into the game again. He was always picking off passes in the neutral zone and turning them around into scoring chances.

And never forget his legendary penalty shot!

 

[eco's bones]

And never forget his legendary penalty shot!

Just came in and blasted a slap shot past the goalie if I remember right. There wasn't any bullshit about it.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Just came in and blasted a slap shot past the goalie if I remember right. There wasn't any bullshit about it.

 

[SA16]

Im sorry, but Its absolutely crazy to compare this to McIlrath.

This kid was picked in a range a lot of people pegged him around, McIlrath was completely off the board and many people were literally shocked he was taken when he was

He wasn't that off the board. Thehockeywriters had him 16th. CSS had him 17th (NA). And I'm pretty sure it's been reported Dallas was interested in him with the next pick. The issue wasn't really they took him when they did. It was a bit early but not some massive reach. It's more so that back then teams were way worse at evaluating defenseman. It's more that they took him with Fowler/Tarasenko on the board (but that said 11/15 teams passed on those two guys too).