Brennan Othmann's Improvement And Maturity Has Been Nothing Short Of Impressive

Brennan Othmann is beginning to hit his stride with the New York Rangers. 

Don’t let the fact that he hasn’t scored an NHL goal in his 17 games this season fool you. By just watching him play, you could clearly see his progression. 

While Othmann showed flashes of promise during training camp, there was just something missing. He didn’t have that aggressive mentality as he appeared a bit timid on the ice. 

Ultimately, Othmann didn’t make the team despite being one of the last remaining prospects to get sent down to the Hartford Wolf Pack out of training camp. 

However, he was given his golden chance in February when he was called up by the Rangers. 

At first, Othmann went through some growing pains and was even forced to serve as a healthy scratch. 

Instead of pouting about it, Othmann took the situation with stride, showing his maturity and understanding for his development. 

“Obviously, it's upsetting not playing, but at the same time, I'm excited watching the game and learning from up top,” Othmann said at the time of his benching.

Since getting scratched, the 22-year-old forward has elevated his game to new heights.

So much so that Peter Laviolette decided to award him with a top-six role, playing on a line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. 

The most noticeable trait that Othmann is putting on display is his fearlessness. Othmann is unafraid to back down and he’s playing a physical brand of hockey that has completely transformed his game. 

Othmann is playing like a player who’s hungry to make an impact and if he continues on this path, the goals will come, which is why Laviolette isn’t worried about statistics right now.

“He just has to keep doing what he’s doing because he’s getting those looks and opportunities,” Laviolette said of Othmann. “He’s playing hard, playing the right way. That line is generating. They are getting pucks to the net, they are in the offensive zone, so he just has to keep doing what he’s doing.” 

By the way things are looking, Othmann is on track to be an impactful player for the Rangers long into the future.