LW Brennan Othmann - Hartford Wolfpack, HL (2021, 16th, NYR)

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I was thinking about past Euro example i.e players who went back home to Europe after playing in the CHL but yes you are right OHL agreements are typically binding for others

Yes, but those players usually played in major juniors on loan. That's also the reason why guys like Rasmus Sandin and Filip Zadina were AHL eligible at age 18. Brennan Othmann was playing in Switzerland on loan so the determining factor here is his OHL contract. He was therefore still draft out of the OHL and subject to the CHL-NHL agreement.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

1+1 tonight. 21+18=39 points in 26 games on the season.

 

[Hinterland]

I really think for Othmann, another cancelled OHL season would be ideal. Nothing against the CHL but I think that deal needs to be modified. No idea how it could be solved to compensate junior teams appropriately but Othmann is one of those players kinda falling through the current system. Should he play another year in the OHL it's a wasted year and should the Rangers keep him around there's a chance that it could ruin his development. From CHL to NHL it's a crazy step to make and there has to be a third option for guys like Othmann. I'm pretty sure he has nothing left to learn playing OHL and I'm also pretty sure he's nowhere near NHL ready.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I was discussing this in the Flint thread yesterday with their fans. It doesn’t seem like anyone believes he’s NHL ready for next year or has a high chance to play in the NHL, but he’s probably going to be too good for the OHL after this season. A loan might be best, but that CHL agreement probably won’t allow it, unless he gets an exemption due to where he played his draft year hockey.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I was discussing this in the Flint thread yesterday with their fans. It doesn’t seem like anyone believes he’s NHL ready for next year or has a high chance to play in the NHL, but he’s probably going to be too good for the OHL after this season. A loan might be best, but that CHL agreement probably won’t allow it, unless he gets an exemption due to where he played his draft year hockey.

I discussed this with people close to him and no. There's no exemption for him to play in Switzerland. The only way he could, is if Flint releases him from his OHL contract which they won't do since he puts butts in their seats. It's a business, and Flint wants to sell tickets. That's a whole lot easier when you have a 1st round draft pick on your team, not to mention a future New York Ranger.

The OHL contract is pretty clear on this. A player can only file for contract termination if there are issues with payments or other benefits. I highly doubt that will be an issue.

Rangers have set up a program for him with a personal skating coach, and have informed Othmann they want him in New York over the summer. He will be working out with Prentiss and players such as Kreider (Who is always taking young kids under his wing). Don't be surprised if Othmann spends next season in the NHL if Flint refuses to trade him.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

 

[Overrateprospects]

I really think for Othmann, another cancelled OHL season would be ideal. Nothing against the CHL but I think that deal needs to be modified. No idea how it could be solved to compensate junior teams appropriately but Othmann is one of those players kinda falling through the current system. Should he play another year in the OHL it's a wasted year and should the Rangers keep him around there's a chance that it could ruin his development. From CHL to NHL it's a crazy step to make and there has to be a third option for guys like Othmann. I'm pretty sure he has nothing left to learn playing OHL and I'm also pretty sure he's nowhere near NHL ready.

Not only that but Canada didn’t even look at him for WJC. Not sure where the Rangers envision for him but they must have deepest LW core in the NHL. They also have Cuylle developing as well

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Not only that but Canada didn’t even look at him for WJC. Not sure where the Rangers envision for him but they must have deepest LW core in the NHL. They also have Cuylle developing as well

They do have a huge hole at RW though. With how the Rangers have handled their top prospects in the past few years, and how they have so far managed Othmann's development, I honestly expect him to start with the Rangers next season for 9 games, and then decide whether they want him back in the OHL or if they feel a year in the NHL in a lesser role is more beneficial for his development.

Not that I necessarily agree with that but I wouldn't be surprised if that's their thinking. Othmann is already coming over to NY to practice in the off season with the org as they have with others in the past, so the willingness is definitely there.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Another 1+1 tonight.

 

[Overrateprospects]

They do have a huge hole at RW though. With how the Rangers have handled their top prospects in the past few years, and how they have so far managed Othmann's development, I honestly expect him to start with the Rangers next season for 9 games, and then decide whether they want him back in the OHL or if they feel a year in the NHL in a lesser role is more beneficial for his development.

Not that I necessarily agree with that but I wouldn't be surprised if that's their thinking. Othmann is already coming over to NY to practice in the off season with the org as they have with others in the past, so the willingness is definitely there.

Shame they can’t have play RW in CHL just to see how he develops. The quicker they do that the better for his development but Hockey Canada doesn’t really care about his development hence not even looked at for WJC roster

 

[keppel146]

Pre-draft I wanted the Wild to grab this guy

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Shame they can’t have play RW in CHL just to see how he develops. The quicker they do that the better for his development but Hockey Canada doesn’t really care about his development hence not even looked at for WJC roster

Flint will do whatever is best for them, and rightfully so. It's a business. Othmann puts butts in seats, helps them win games. So play him to his strengths.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He missed yesterday's and tonight's game due to mandatory self-isolation. No injury. Should be back for their next game.

 

[Sweetpotato]

Not only that but Canada didn’t even look at him for WJC. Not sure where the Rangers envision for him but they must have deepest LW core in the NHL. They also have Cuylle developing as well

If I remember correctly there was some drama at the U18s with an injury and the way both sides handled it burned a bridge down, hard.

My guess is unless he becomes good enough to play on a world championship (which is highly likely) or Olympics in the future he'll never wear the maple leaf again.

 

[Overrateprospects]

If I remember correctly there was some drama at the U18s with an injury and the way both sides handled it burned a bridge down, hard.

My guess is unless he becomes good enough to play on a world championship (which is highly likely) or Olympics in the future he'll never wear the maple leaf again.

If that’s the case he should utilize his Swiss eligibility.

 

[CupSeeker]

Shame they can’t have play RW in CHL just to see how he develops. The quicker they do that the better for his development but Hockey Canada doesn’t really care about his development hence not even looked at for WJC roster

There are alot of non hockey reasons that Canada considers certain players and ignores others for the WJC. So, the fact that he wasn't considered for the tourney does not mean he is not at that level; cause he is.

 

[Boonk]

If that’s the case he should utilize his Swiss eligibility.

He would have to play a couple seasons in the Swiss league to transfer as a member of that federation. Highly doubt the Rangers would want to do that over playing him in Hartford/New York

 

[Hinterland]

He would have to play a couple seasons in the Swiss league to transfer as a member of that federation. Highly doubt the Rangers would want to do that over playing him in Hartford/New York

He can't play for Hartford anyway and I'm sure the Rangers would love to see Othmann play pro hockey in Switzerland. Unfortunately, Flint is never gonna let him go. Would require another OHL shutdown for that to happen.

Discussion is a useless one though. Othmann is never gonna play for Switzerland.

 

[Boonk]

He can't play for Hartford anyway and I'm sure the Rangers would love to see Othmann play pro hockey in Switzerland. Unfortunately, Flint is never gonna let him go. Would require another OHL shutdown for that to happen.

Discussion is a useless one though. Othmann is never gonna play for Switzerland.

No they wouldn't. Even when he is done junior, if he's not going to the Rangers main squad, he'll end up playing for Hartford instead. He already signed his ELC with them, meaning if he wanted to switch to Swiss representation and had to play the 2 full years in Switzerland required by the IIHF, the Rangers would have to loan him. They're not going to do that.

 

[Hinterland]

No they wouldn't. Even when he is done junior, if he's not going to the Rangers main squad, he'll end up playing for Hartford instead. He already signed his ELC with them, meaning if he wanted to switch to Swiss representation and had to play the 2 full years in Switzerland required by the IIHF, the Rangers would have to loan him. They're not going to do that.

Again. He's not eligible to play AHL.

 

[Boonk]

Again. He's not eligible to play AHL.

Again. I said after juniors. He's not playing in Switzerland after juniors. The end.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

If I remember correctly there was some drama at the U18s with an injury and the way both sides handled it burned a bridge down, hard.

My guess is unless he becomes good enough to play on a world championship (which is highly likely) or Olympics in the future he'll never wear the maple leaf again.

He hasn't even received his ring yet from HockeyCanada.

 

[Overrateprospects]

He would have to play a couple seasons in the Swiss league to transfer as a member of that federation. Highly doubt the Rangers would want to do that over playing him in Hartford/New York

He’s playing in OHL this year which would’ve been his second season in the Swiss league. Even if he played 22/23 season the Rangers with current management is not rushing talent along. They are going back to pre 2015 days. They have Kreider,Panarin and Laf ahead of him so they can afford to be patient with him

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He’s playing in OHL this year which would’ve been his second season in the Swiss league. Even if he played 22/23 season the Rangers with current management is not rushing talent along. They are going back to pre 2015 days. They have Kreider,Panarin and Laf ahead of him so they can afford to be patient with him

Wouldn't Othmann be eligible for Swiss citizenship and to represent Switzerland through his parents/grandparents? That's why he didn't count towards the foreign player-limit when he played for EHC Olten.

 

[Boonk]

Wouldn't Othmann be eligible for Swiss citizenship and to represent Switzerland through his parents/grandparents? That's why he didn't count towards the foreign player-limit when he played for EHC Olten.

He played for Canada in an IIHF sanctioned event already.