Head Coach Peter Laviolette's Reasons why Brennan Othmann was sent to the AHL
Photo credit: The Hockey Writers
The New York Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette had to make some tough decisions with the roster recently.
With many people having high hopes of winger Brennan Othmann would make the opening night roster, they have to settle with their disappointment.
As the Rangers have decided yet again that Othmann will join Brett Berard, and other prospects in the AHL for another season.
The 22-year-old just couldn't cut it, and Peter Laviolette explained why he didn't give him a spot on the roster.
Laviolette feels that Othmann needs to take one more step before he comes into the Rangers lineup full-time.
«I thought he had a good camp,» Laviolette said. «There were games where I thought he was noticeable. With regard to becoming a regular, just finding that consistency. I think when you are a young player, that consistency inside of your game is something that needs to be worked on. He came in great shape, that was good. He had some good moments, that was good too. The fact that he can play both sides is a positive.
«At the end of the day from a development standpoint I think going down there and taking on the minutes and playing more in every situation is going to help him to get back to this level. I think just finding that consistency inside of his game.»
«At the end of the day from a development standpoint I think going down there and taking on the minutes and playing more in every situation is going to help him to get back to this level. I think just finding that consistency inside of his game.»
Brennan Othmann would score 4 points( 1 G, 3 A) during preseason play with the Rangers.
And it is notceable, that his production would come in spurts, rather than in consecutive games, which would mean that Laviolette isn't wrong.
Othmann will have time in the AHL to work on his game and find a way to make his way into the lineup during the season and maybe with an injury put together a stretch of games played.
That's the only way I can see him playing more than a few games in the NHL this season, as it sounds like they plan on keeping him in Hartford for the time being.
Not that, that's a bad thing either as he is one of the Ranger's top prospects who could find himself in the lineup next season or the year after, when the current core could be blown up, depending on if they win a Stanley Cup or not.
Source: The Hockey News
Peter Laviolette Explains Why He Sent Brennan Othmann Down To AHL
Peter Laviolette Explains Why He Sent Brennan Othmann Down To AHL
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