Brett Howden, the “Quinn”tessential Rangers player

Howden (Getty Images)

“He’s impressed since the minute training camp started and the first time I met him.”

Those are the words of Rangers head coach, David Quinn when asked about Brett Howden after a game this season. “There’s no nonsense to his game on top of having great skill”, Quinn beamed to the press after a shootout win against San Jose earlier this season.

In that game, Howden scored a huge goal and was a +2. At the time it was the kid’s 2nd goal of the season and 3rd point in the team’s first 4 games. The 20 year old “throw-in” in the Ryan McDonagh blockbuster last season with TB has 4 goals and 7 assists in 18 games this year and things only appear to be getting better.

Built to play for David Quinn

Brett Howden stands in at 6′ 3″ and weighs 195 lbs. At first glance, he seems a little thin but plays with every single pound and inch the good Lord gave him. According to the coach his play is what has made him such a key Ranger this season.

“Confidence is earned, it’s not given. It’s not like I come to the rink every day and say, ‘Oh, let me have confidence in Howden today.’ That’s something you earn, you earn confidence. And he’s earning it because of the way he’s playing.” – David Quinn

When the kid from Calgary was drafted in 2016, almost everyone said he was a hard-worker with good leadership skills. Many said he was a smart player but didn’t have the offensive skill set to be better than a 3rd liner. That could eventually prove to be true, what he has displayed so far while averaging just over 15 minutes per game says otherwise.

David Quinn loves a North/South in-your-face style of hockey. He said earlier in the season that if you can’t go around a player, go through him. That’s exactly who Brett Howden is and the main reason why he not only has had the greatest success among the other Rangers kids, but has earned David Quinn’s loving admiration.

Howden (Getty Images)

Howden’s Blueshirts Future Looks Bright

Rangers Captain, Brett Howden.

That is something that looks very plausible to me at some point in his career. You could see a situation where either he or Lias Andersson could be the top two candidates for the Rangers captaincy one day. Regardless, whether one is wearing the C or the other the A, these two will take the leadership reins in the near future.

As far as Howden’s game will go? There really is no limit to it right now. The offensive skills some questioned appears to be there. Howden’s hockey IQ is through the charts and his willingness to go into the corners and the front of the net have led to goals. His vision is there too as he’s made some incredible passing plays, including setting up Fredrik Claesson’s first of the season in the last game against the Islanders.

Right now, Brett Howden is the “Quinn”tessential player for the Rangers. He should remain a rock in this lineup and get more valuable ice time throughout the season. As the Rangers progress in the rebuild, Howden becoming the team’s 2nd line center could happen sooner rather later.

We Should All Have Someone To Make Us Feel This Way

I hope you guys enjoyed the little video and had a laugh. Sound off about Howden in the comments section below.

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

Mentioned in this article::

More About: