The New York Rangers have taken a significant step by promoting Brennan Othmann, one of the leading prospects within their ranks, to ensure they have an extra forward available. This move comes as a precautionary measure, given veteran forward Chris Kreider’s uncertain status for the upcoming Tuesday night game against the Islanders, due to an injury concern.
The Rangers announced on Monday that Othmann has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. This decision is part of a broader set of roster adjustments made by the team. Othmann, who is 22 years old, was selected by the Rangers in the first round of the 2021 draft. In his stint with the minors this season, he has scored 12 goals and provided eight assists over 27 games. As he transitions back into the NHL, Othmann is on the lookout to secure his first NHL point after participating in three league games earlier this year on January 4th, 6th, and 8th, 2024.
Chris Kreider, a pivotal player for the Rangers, had to sit out of the Sunday game in Pittsburgh due to an upper-body injury, despite participating in pregame warm-ups. At 33, Kreider ranks as the team’s second-highest goal scorer, with 17 goals to his name. Coach Peter Laviolette commented on Sunday that Kreider’s status is day-to-day concerning his injury. When inquired about whether the injury occurred while Kreider represented the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off or during the Rangers’ previous game on Saturday, Laviolette simply stated it was an upper-body issue.
In conjunction with recalling Othmann, the Rangers have also brought back Zac Jones from his AHL conditioning assignment and opted to send defenseman Matthew Robertson back to Hartford. Jones, at 24 years old and hailing from Richmond, Virginia, has been intermittently part of the Rangers lineup this season. So far, he has averaged slightly over 16 minutes in the 28 games he has participated in.
As the playoff race intensifies, the Rangers find themselves just two points shy of clinching the final wild-card playoff position in the Eastern Conference, with 57 games played and 25 remaining. Demonstrating resilience, the team recently overcame the Penguins in a 5-3 victory on Sunday. This comeback was much needed after a challenging 8-2 loss against Buffalo on Saturday.
