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Rangers open development camp, focus on Othmann, Perreault, Berard & Emery |
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The Rangers opened their development camp on Tuesday. Of course it wasn’t aired, which was no stock. What stood out though to me were a few things.
First, the attendance of several players who have been in camp a few years in a row. We learned that Brennan Othmann etc. were asked by GM Chris Drury to be in camp in a leadership role, which they players widely embraced.
Second, Othmann and Gabe Perreault were, to no one’s surprise, two of the better players on the ice. In addition, there certainly was palpable chemistry between the two. The pair looked for each other constantly on the ice and we learned, that they stayed in touch throughout last season. The duo could end up down the road in a line together, so building that chemistry now is not a bad thing.
Perreault, last year’s first round pick, is returning to BC for his sophomore season where he will skate with Ryan Leonard again and probably see first line minutes. He tied for fourth in the country with 60 points (19 goals and 41 assists) in 36 games played, helping lead the Eagles to the national championship game. Perreault, who will work on adding muscle and getting stronger, hopefully will sign with the Rangers after his college campaign ends and be a late-season option if need be.
Othmann, the 16th pick in the 2021 draft, has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder as he said that “his biggest goal is to prove people wrong.” I am not 100% sure who has doubted him, though maybe he is referring to those who have brought up New York could have selected Wyatt Johnston who went to Dallas a few picks later. But Othmann, who posted 21 goals and 28 assists in 67 games for Hartford in the AHL, believes he is ready to make the jump to the NHL after his minor league success and three games at this level last year. Othmann, normally a left winger, saw time at right wing last season, which could be his fastest path to the parent club. He made strides defensively and still needs work on that side of the game.
The third player who stood out was Brett Berard. No surprise there, as Berard had an excellent season at Hartford last year. Bedard is someone who I believe deserve a shot at a bottom-six role. He can be an agitator and winger that can score a little but his constant motor and willingness to use his body is what stands out.
In attendance also was this year’s first round pick, EJ Emery. You can see why the Rangers were high on him watching his defensive positioning and smarts and length. It’s development camp, which doesn’t mean that much. But the skills that drive his selection were on display. I actually was really happy with this pick and if they can find a way to slightly improve his offensive game down the road, Emery projects as a possible second pair blueliner.
Free agency is mostly done. Two d-men who I thought might have been solid depth options went elsewhere yesterday. Nate Schmidt signed with Florida one year, 800k, which is less than he was offered elsewhere as he wanted to reunite with Paul Maurice who coached him in Winnipeg. Erik Brannstrom inked a similar deal with Colorado. He would have been a nice low-cost possible high-reward option. Up front, Daniel Sprong and Vladimir Tarasenko remain available. Both have their benefits and flaws, so we will see if Drury pursues either.
The team agreed to terms with defenseman Casey Fitzgerald on a two-year contract and forward Bo Groulx on a one-year deal. Fitzgerald looks to be organizational depth. Groulx, a 2018 pick of Anaheim, could get a look in camp as a bottom-six forward, joining Berard, Adam Sykora and others in pursuit of a spot.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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