While reading through the Hockey News Yearbook a year ago today, I figured that a left wing named Brennan Othmann couldn't miss making the Blueshirt varsity. The prospect from Scarborough, Ontario had all the goods and it was all there under the heading "Top Rangers Prospects." B.O. was number one. "A complete player," the scouting report said, "who delivers shots, passes and hits at top speed. Good forechecker, too. Othmann makes the marquee for his crashing physical play augmented by offense as well." Stan Fischler US Hall Of Fame MSG Sounded really-really good; maybe a Calder Trophy candidate. Maybe. But the former Peterborough Pete star wasn't even up for a cup of coffee; not even half a cup. You had to figure that since his club was loaded with Presidents' Trophy talent in Manhattan, Chris Drury exiled him to Connecticut where he could smell the Hartford roses. Which brings us to the latest training camp which opened last month. This would be Othmann's opportunity to show that management had it wrong last spring; that Brennan was ready – at last. Nu? What happened, Baby? He's been demoted once again to the AHL after anything but the dazzling camp we expected. "Too inconsistent" was the farewell review. The Maven's conclusion: Another build-up to another letdown!
