The New York Rangers have added Brendan Othmann to their roster, elevating him from the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL. This decision was made on Monday as part of a strategic roster reshuffle. Othmann’s call-up serves as a precautionary measure in the event that seasoned player Chris Kreider remains sidelined due to an injury when the Rangers face the Islanders on Tuesday night. Kreider, a key player for the team, was unable to participate in Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh, despite having warmed up pre-game. The 33-year-old forward, known for his scoring prowess, ranks second on the team with 17 goals.
Brendan Othmann, aged 22, was the Rangers’ top draft pick in 2021. His performance in the minors this season has been commendable, with a tally of 12 goals and 8 assists across 27 games. Although he has yet to mark his name on the NHL scoreboard, Othmann has had the opportunity to skate in three NHL games earlier this year, specifically on January 4, 6, and 8, 2024.
Additionally, the Rangers have brought back Zac Jones from an AHL conditioning stint. In a corresponding move, defenseman Matthew Robertson will return to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Jones, a 24-year-old from Richmond, Virginia, has seen varied ice time with the Rangers this season, averaging over 16 minutes per game across the 28 matches he’s played.
At present, the Rangers are in a competitive position within the Eastern Conference standings. With 57 games completed, they are just two points shy of securing the final wild-card playoff spot, with 25 games still to go. Demonstrating resilience, the Rangers delivered an impressive comeback by defeating the Penguins 5-3 on Sunday, following a challenging 8-2 loss against the Buffalo Sabres the previous day.
