Rangers scratch prized rookie against Flames: ‘Good spot for a change’
After playing 11 consecutive games following his recall from the minors, Brennan Othmann is a healthy scratch for the New York Rangers on Tuesday when they host the Calgary Flames at Madison Square Garden.
The 2021 first-round pick (No. 16 overall) will sit in favor of forward Juuso Parssinen, who was acquired ahead of the trade deadline from the Colorado Avalanche. Parssinen played three games after the trade and then was scratched for five consecutive contests.
“I liked the way we were playing for a few games, so I left the lineup, but it’s a good spot for a change and get him (Parssinen) going,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette explained after the morning skate.
Othmann hasn’t recorded a point in 11 games with the Rangers this season and is looking for his first NHL point in 14 career games, including last season. The 22-year-old forward has been playing in the bottom six, primarily of late on the fourth line, with limited minutes. He’s averaging 9:23 TOI with the Rangers and managed 10 shots on goal, including two in six minutes of ice time in a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.
Along with 2023 first-rounder Gabe Perreault, Othmann is considered one of the top two prospects in the Rangers organization. He was tied for fourth among all American Hockey League rookies with 49 points last season and his 21 goals were second most for the Hartford Wolf Pack.
In 2021-22, Othmann scored 50 goals in 66 OHL games with Flint. So, he has a scorer’s DNA. It just hasn’t translated yet to the NHL.
“He’s done some good things for us. His line has done some good things,” Laviolette said. “There’s been some things we look for more from him, and we show him and work with him, both on the offensive side of the puck and the defensive side of the puck.
“I’ve got an opportunity to get a young player back in there in Parssinen and it’s a chance maybe for Othmann to re-set and re-boot and wait for his next opportunity.”
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Othmann has maintained his physical play with the Rangers and been diligent defensively. He’s been credited with 22 hits in 11 games, averaging 12.79 hits per 60 minutes. He’s mostly skated with Matt Rempe and Jonny Brodzinski on a physical, hard skating fourth line.
A big plus is that Othmann is healthy again. He missed 10 weeks of the AHL season after sustaining an upper-body injury on Oct. 19. It short-circuited his fast start after he had two goals and three assists in the first two games.
Despite playing only 27 AHL games this season, Othmann is tied for fifth on the Wolf Pack with 12 goals and has 20 points.
Parssinen is playing for his third NHL team this season. The 24-year-old started with the Nashville Predators, then moved to the Avalanche and Rangers. All told, he has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 41 games.
In three games with the Rangers, each playing on the third line, Parssinen was not only pointless but didn’t manage a shot on goal. He did fight Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Roy on March 5 after Roy took a run at Othmann.
“He’s played well. He’s done some good things for us,” Laviolette said of Parssinen. “Again, 13 forwards, 12 spots and a chance and an opportunity for him to get back in there. I’m sure he’ll be excited to jump back in. He’s a young player.”
One young Rangers forward who won’t be playing any time soon is Arthur Kaliyev. The 23-year-old was pronounced out for the rest of the season on Tuesday because of an upper-body injury. He was hurt on a check delivered by Winnipeg Jets defenseman Luke Schenn on March 11.
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