The Maven is tired of waiting and every Rangers fan should be, too.
It's about time that the so-called futures Blueshirt prospects move into the 2025-26 lineup and re-energize what has become a stale franchise.
You know the names but in case you've forgotten, I'm talking about left wing Brennan Othmann, right wing Gabe Perreault, defenseman Drew Fortescue and left wing Brett Berard.
This quartet is what the "player pipeline" is all about and at least two of them should crack the lineup next fall. Here are some specific thoughts:
BRENNAN OTHMANN: Frankly, we're getting tired of this left wing who has outgrown the Hartford AHL experience. But it's not Bren's fault. His problem – more than anything – \had been Peter Laviolette either ignoring or mis-playing Othmann as if he was backup to Sir Harry Lauder doing "Roamin' In The Gloamin."
The deposed coach buried Brennan on the fourth line, giving Othmann no real opportunity to show his worth. Mike Shanahan had better know better and insert him on the second or, at the very least, third line; and with plenty of ice time. (Hey, fair is fair!)
GABE PERREAULT: Based on all the pre-NHL ink he's received, Son-Of-NHLer should have been given much more of a look than what he got late in the homestretch., Wake up, Shanny, he's ready and you need a playmaker who gets pucks to sticks.
BRETT BERARD: If the new coaching staff gets down on this whiz-bang because he's 5-9 then let's forget about the rebuild. The Hockey News Yearbook calls him "a wrecking ball" while The Maven knows that the label inside his jersey says 'BATTERIES ARE INCLUDED.' Double B is the skating wakeup call this club needs!
DREW FORTESCUE: Age (20 in September) might work against him but an outstanding camp could change that. He's got the kind of grit the Blueshirts blue line has woefully lacked.
(P.S. Note to Chris Drury: I'm not charging you for this valuable information. In Brooklyn, we called a "A Public Service Announcement."
P.S.S. And be thankful that The Maven cares!
-1746604379-q80.webp "Vics' young guns elevated after impressing in debut seasons")
