Pretty much all of the talk after New York Rangers practice Tuesday centered around Gabe Perreault, the 19-year-old forward who joined the big club after signing his entry-level contract the day before.
But Rangers coach Peter Laviolette made it a point to compliment another of New York’s top prospects, too. Laviolette focused for a bit on Brennan Othmann, the 2021 first-round pick who stood out in a 6-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
“Othmann probably played his best game last game, and so he had a real impact in the game,” Laviolette explained. “Just talking with him, want to see him build off of that and take the next step from there.
“He’s getting looks to score, the puck’s on his stick and he’s looking to create and make things happen. The next step is to continue and build off of that and have that impact in the game that he did last game.”
Othmann has played 16 of the past 17 games since he was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League in late February. Though he has only two assists, the 22-year-old is playing physically, getting to the net and been noticeable much more often than not.
After spending most of his time on the fourth line, Othmann moved up in the lineup to skate on a line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck recently. He hasn’t looked out of place at all, though Othmann still seeks his first NHL goal. The goals will come. He scored 50 one season in junior and had 21 as a rookie pro in Hartford last season.
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Against the Sharks, Othmann nearly scored after streaking past San Jose’s defenders to get a clean look in tight, but his backhand shot hit the side of the net. He also looked the part, ripping a right-wing shot off the rush for another good scoring chance, that one handled by Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev.
Othmann did pick up a point, assisting on Adam Fox’s goal early in the second period that made it 3-0. It was a beaut. Taking Mika Zibanejad’s quick pass from the right point, Othmann then zipped a seam pass from left to right that allowed Fox to score an easy goal.
Laviolette made the case that top young talent like Othmann and Perreault need to keep building off their successes playing in the best league in the world.
As for Perreault, who’s likely to make his NHL debut against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, Laviolette had high praise for 2023 first-rounder’s skill set.
“His ability to see the ice, his hands, his ability to create and think the game through are at a real high level,” the coach observed.
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Perreault’s arrival Tuesday created a few wrinkles among the forward combinations. Othmann was not affected since he remained with Trocheck and Panarin.
Laviolette put Perreault on a line with J.T. Miller at center and Alexis Lafreniere on the other wing. That gives the talented youngster two skilled linemates and a better chance to succeed. Miller’s experience and physical style should also benefit Perreault, who still has some filling out to on his 5-foot-11, 178-pound frame.
“I think ‘Laf’ thinks a lot like [Perreault] does, and J.T.’s a guy that’s been around a long time and could really help mentor and mold somebody out on the ice,” the coach explained.
The third line was centered by Zibanejad, who was flanked by Chris Kreider and Will Cuylle. Jonny Brodzinski moved out of the top six and on to the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Brett Berard.
The extra forwards were Juuso Parssinen and Nicolas Aube-Kubel, the latter appearing to be out of the lineup upon Perreault’s arrival after playing the past three games.
With Perreault turning pro and Othmann getting better by the game, and even Berard getting an opportunity, the Rangers present and future is now one and the same. And it should all be on display Wednesday, when the Rangers host the Wild.