Prospect Info: Rangers Prospects Thread (Player Stats in Post #1; Updated 6.16.22)

[Amazing Kreiderman]

arizona st would like a word re talent

There are 14 first round picks in the NCAA this season. 7 of them play for Michigan.

 

[2014nyr]

There are 14 first round picks in the NCAA this season. 7 of them play for Michigan.

hah, i was accounting for off ice talent

 

[nyr2k2]

Othmann with #44, is Flint's all time single-season points leader with 91. He's 3rd in goals, one behind Wyatt Johnson who has played two more games and one goal ahead of Will Cuylle.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Congrats Othmann!!! Cant wait him to crush that record next season scoring well over 100 and leading the OHL in points

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

A good week for Othmann. he finally broke the points record, despite being benched in recent games by his coach. Not sure what is going on there but the frustration is noticeable.

On the bright side: He finally received his championship ring from HockeyCanada after 12 months of waiting.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

A good week for Othmann. he finally broke the points record, despite being benched in recent games by his coach. Not sure what is going on there but the frustration is noticeable.

On the bright side: He finally received his championship ring from HockeyCanada after 12 months of waiting.

Not going to sound the alarm bells, but Othmann has given me the impression that he’s going to be a bit of a project attitude-wise for whatever coach we have when he is finally called up. Not too dissimilar from JT Miller.

I occasionally pop into the Firebirds thread on HF and in the past few months I’ve read about pre-game scrums, altercations with fans and fights when things aren’t going his way. It’s actually pretty fascinating what types of things they pick up on in that thread. Coupled with the Team Canada WJC decision and I think it’s pretty obvious he has some growing up to do still.

It’s pretty normal for teenagers to have these types of issues, but the Rangers haven’t given me confidence in how they’ve handled younger players with similar issues recently (Krav, Andersson). Something work keeping an eye on.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Not going to sound the alarm bells, but Othmann has given me the impression that he’s going to be a bit of a project attitude-wise for whatever coach we have when he is finally called up. Not too dissimilar from JT Miller.

I occasionally pop into the Firebirds thread on HF and in the past few months I’ve read about pre-game scrums, altercations with fans and fights when things aren’t going his way. It’s actually pretty fascinating what types of things they pick up on in that thread. Coupled with the Team Canada WJC decision and I think it’s pretty obvious he has some growing up to do still.

It’s pretty normal for teenagers to have these types of issues, but the Rangers haven’t given me confidence in how they’ve handled younger players with similar issues recently (Krav, Andersson). Something work keeping an eye on.

Yeah, that's a concern. The u18 WJC incident where he was asked to play through injury, then waiting a year for his championship ring. The jersey auction that was, from what I was told, wrongfully blamed on him as he was in the locker room when that incident occured elsewhere in the arena. Now being benched by his head coach which, according to some, is to prevent him from breaking the team record in points (?).

It's a bit vague but still... All things considered, reason enough to not just brush it off completely. I know the Rangers are in touch with him regularly, and have set up a schedule over the summer in addition to assigning his own skating coach. Can Drury put the right people in place to guide this kid to success?

From what I have heard, reactions from Hartford are more positive than a year ago. Not a completely new mindset and culture-switch but they are trying to make adjustments at least. But even then, there are concerns. Players feeling left out, agents requesting trades etc. I can't really go into too much detail because I'm not a "verified source" on here and this entire post would be deleted if I did but it's a work in progress. Changes have been made, but they're not there yet.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

Yeah, that's a concern. The u18 WJC incident where he was asked to play through injury, then waiting a year for his championship ring. The jersey auction that was, from what I was told, wrongfully blamed on him as he was in the locker room when that incident occured elsewhere in the arena. Now being benched by his head coach which, according to some, is to prevent him from breaking the team record in points (?).

It's a bit vague but still... All things considered, reason enough to not just brush it off completely. I know the Rangers are in touch with him regularly, and have set up a schedule over the summer in addition to assigning his own skating coach. Can Drury put the right people in place to guide this kid to success?

From what I have heard, reactions from Hartford are more positive than a year ago. Not a completely new mindset and culture-switch but they are trying to make adjustments at least. But even then, there are concerns. Players feeling left out, agents requesting trades etc. I can't really go into too much detail because I'm not a "verified source" on here and this entire post would be deleted if I did but it's a work in progress. Changes have been made, but they're not there yet.

Yeah, when there’s smoke there’s usually fire. I don’t think we have a Tony DeAngelo situation on our hands, but I’m sure the rangers are paying extra attention to it.

Luckily, I think Drury is much better positioned and capable of handling something like this than Gorton/JD. The team leadership has also improved significantly from previous years which helps.

What I find amusing in all of this is how Un-pugnacious Othmann looks. He looks like a little child. Meanwhile Braden Schneider looks like the HS football quarterback but is actually just a good old meat and potatoes Canadian farm boy. Funny how that works sometimes.

He’s clearly a heck of a player that is capable of scoring at the NHL level, so I’m sure the rangers are on top of things.

 

[nyr2k2]

The one thing Othmann has in his favor over Kravtsov and Andersson is that he's North American. I don't mean that in a xenophobic sense; what I mean is that outside of the absolute best of the best (Othmann is a great prospect but not elite), most of the North American guys have an expectation or at least an awareness that the AHL is a stop on their career development ladder. And guys in junior hockey are used to travelling on buses and all the other stuff that goes along with it. To go from the KHL to the AHL, Kravtsov wanted nothing to do with that setup. Andersson handled it better at first but eventually thought he was too good for that. They both "went home." There's nowhere for American and Canadian kids to run to.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

The one thing Othmann has in his favor over Kravtsov and Andersson is that he's North American. I don't mean that in a xenophobic sense; what I mean is that outside of the absolute best of the best (Othmann is a great prospect but not elite), most of the North American guys have an expectation or at least an awareness that the AHL is a stop on their career development ladder. And guys in junior hockey are used to travelling on buses and all the other stuff that goes along with it. To go from the KHL to the AHL, Kravtsov wanted nothing to do with that setup. Andersson handled it better at first but eventually thought he was too good for that. They both "went home." There's no where for American and Canadian kids to run to.

Othmann is half-Swiss... There's always a risk he goes to the NL and plays there

 

[nyr2k2]

Othmann is half-Swiss... There's always a risk he goes to the NL and plays there

Fair point! LOL.

Also with Othmann, I think there is some immaturity, but it seems more like not knowing how to rein it in, letting his emotions get the best of him. I have not heard or read anything that makes me think he's entitled, or thinks he's too good for XYZ, or has issues with his teammates. What I've heard and read on him, reminds me a bit of a Brandon Dubinsky at the same age.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Fair point! LOL.

Also with Othmann, I think there is some immaturity, but it seems more like not knowing how to rein it in, letting his emotions get the best of him. I have not heard or read anything that makes me think he's entitled, or thinks he's too good for XYZ, or has issues with his teammates. What I've heard and read on him, reminds me a bit of a Brandon Dubinsky at the same age.

That's a good comp in terms of the personal aspect. Let's not forget that Othmann was a 2nd overall selection in the OHL draft. That comes with certain pedigree and expectations. He then goes to Switzerland due to his dual-citizenship making him eligible prior to turning 18 (which is why MacTavish only joined later in the season), and in Switzerland he adjusts really well to pro hockey.

Then he's winning gold at the u18s, gets drafted into the NHL as the 15th player, goes back to Flint where he's a one-man show for the first 3 months. Yeah, that kind of stuff gets to you. How you handle it is often put on yourself as a player but the supporting cast (family, friends, agent, teammates) have a big role in that as well.

I am still convinced we see him in NY for far more than just the 9 games everyone is focused on (ELC slide), mainly because of the time, effort and resources invested in him already and the Rangers basically talking to Flint about his development and stepping in with a personal coach (like they did with Lias in 2017).

 

[Ola]

The one thing Othmann has in his favor over Kravtsov and Andersson is that he's North American. I don't mean that in a xenophobic sense; what I mean is that outside of the absolute best of the best (Othmann is a great prospect but not elite), most of the North American guys have an expectation or at least an awareness that the AHL is a stop on their career development ladder. And guys in junior hockey are used to travelling on buses and all the other stuff that goes along with it. To go from the KHL to the AHL, Kravtsov wanted nothing to do with that setup. Andersson handled it better at first but eventually thought he was too good for that. They both "went home." There's nowhere for American and Canadian kids to run to.

Good point and another aspect is that the junior leagues in Canada definitely are a notch below the NCAA and of course several notches below the European men's league. I also think that one of the biggest factors that causes so much harm for kids that are "rushed" is that you ask them to do more things at once. Moving across the continent, learning to play a new style of game, on a differently sized rink etc etc etc.

It is facinating to compare the development of a hockey player with an athlete in an individual sport devoting his life and optimizing his body to like run a 400 meter sprint. Those guys are extremely disciplined and goes extreme length to find the optimal balance between working as hard as their body can take while resting the optimal amount of time. There are elite athletes who got one of those electrical vehicles that you sit on for like pensioners when they move around in every day life on their resting days just to really "rest" their legs. If you had a physical trainer told to optimize a hockey player's physical development, that guy would have some extreme clashes with a hockey coach who tries to utilize the player during a hockey season. An individual athlete could never even remotely be competitive in a 400m sprint if he just for a couple of month took part of a hockey season. Would wear him down and destroy his training. A hockey player can of course never focus as much on physical aspects as an individual athlete -- but there is definitely a scale.

Lauri Korpikoski is another example. I think his development really plateaued when he got to the AHL, especially physically. He was in a bad spot since he didn't get to play much for TPS either.

Right now I am definitely leaning towards the NCAA being the best place to be as a young hockey player. A more moderate number of games are played and so forth. The travel isn't extreme.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Good point and another aspect is that the junior leagues in Canada definitely are a notch below the NCAA and of course several notches below the European men's league. I also think that one of the biggest factors that causes so much harm for kids that are "rushed" is that you ask them to do more things at once. Moving across the continent, learning to play a new style of game, on a differently sized rink etc etc etc.

It is facinating to compare the development of a hockey player with an athlete in an individual sport devoting his life and optimizing his body to like run a 400 meter sprint. Those guys are extremely disciplined and goes extreme length to find the optimal balance between working as hard as their body can take while resting the optimal amount of time. There are elite athletes who got one of those electrical vehicles that you sit on for like pensioners when they move around in every day life on their resting days just to really "rest" their legs. If you had a physical trainer told to optimize a hockey player's physical development, that guy would have some extreme clashes with a hockey coach who tries to utilize the player during a hockey season. An individual athlete could never even remotely be competitive in a 400m sprint if he just for a couple of month took part of a hockey season. Would wear him down and destroy his training. A hockey player can of course never focus as much on physical aspects as an individual athlete -- but there is definitely a scale.

Lauri Korpikoski is another example. I think his development really plateaued when he got to the AHL, especially physically. He was in a bad spot since he didn't get to play much for TPS either.

Right now I am definitely leaning towards the NCAA being the best place to be as a young hockey player. A more moderate number of games are played and so forth. The travel isn't extreme.

NCAA gives you at least 3 years of control as opposed to just the 2 years for kids drafted out of major juniors. That's a big deal IMO. You get a little extra time to evaluate instead of having to make decisions on the spot like the Rangers did with Rempe (Who, as a Thunderbirds fan, I still don't see as an AHL caliber player but I hope he proves me wrong)

 

[cwede]

that Drury hasn't signed some draftees to ELC's, since the March 1 cusp,
doesn't concern me, but does disappoint

 

[bhamill]

that Drury hasn't signed some draftees to ELC's, since the March 1 cusp,
doesn't concern me, but does disappoint

I'm not sure how it works, but I think they have one contract spot left this year. And probably trying to get another FA like Ben Meyers. Maybe he's waiting to see how many spots we end up with next year. In any case, yeah, I'm not concerned either.

 

[nyr2k2]

I'm interested to see what they do with Vierling. Even with our lack of center depth, I don't think it's a given he's signed. He fell in the draft for a reason, missed a whole year, and even after getting back into the swing of things this season, just hasn't been that good. He has also been injured this year, but...you watch a Barrie game, and you never thing, "Wow, Vierling is clearly one of the best guys out there!"

I'd say it's 60-40 that he's signed. Not that I have any inside knowledge or anything, that's just my educated guess.

 

[GAGLine]

that Drury hasn't signed some draftees to ELC's, since the March 1 cusp,
doesn't concern me, but does disappoint

The only ones whose rights are set to expire are Lindbom, Ragnarsson and Vierling. Maybe Vierling gets a contract, or maybe they try to sign him to an AHL deal.

Of the players further out, I could see Korczak getting a contract, unless they are intending for him to play in the WHL again next year as an overager.

 

[GAGLine]

I'm not sure how it works, but I think they have one contract spot left this year. And probably trying to get another FA like Ben Meyers. Maybe he's waiting to see how many spots we end up with next year. In any case, yeah, I'm not concerned either.

Meyers will likely require a contract starting this year, but for our drafted players, their contracts won't start until next year. We have plenty of open contract slots next year.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I'm not sure how it works, but I think they have one contract spot left this year. And probably trying to get another FA like Ben Meyers. Maybe he's waiting to see how many spots we end up with next year. In any case, yeah, I'm not concerned either.

The March 1st cut off is for major juniors, those players would not be eligible for this season if they sign after the cut off. That only applies to college and EU based players.

 

[bhamill]

The March 1st cut off is for major juniors, those players would not be eligible for this season if they sign after the cut off. That only applies to college and EU based players.

Thanks buddy.

 

[cwede]

I'm not sure how it works, but I think they have one contract spot left this year. And probably trying to get another FA like Ben Meyers. Maybe he's waiting to see how many spots we end up with next year. In any case, yeah, I'm not concerned either.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Othmann took sole position of 2nd in goals in the OHL yesterday scoring his 45th and 46th goals.

2 games left, c'on 50!

 

[bhamill]

Interesting. Would think he’d break in easier at center for a team like NYR that really need one.

 

[cwede]

Interesting. Would think he’d break in easier at center for a team like NYR that really need one.

History tells me more fans think that way, than real players. These guys compete for ice time at every level The good ones are willing fight their way onto the big league roster.