Two Important New York Rangers Prospects Who Must Move Past The Same Issue In Order To Succeed
Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn images
NHL Insider Corey Pronman released a damning critique of New York Rangers prospects, Gabe Perreault, and Brennan Othmann. Pronman believes that the two have the same issue, and in order to find success, they'll need to increase their footspeed.
While Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann are two of the Rangers' top prospects, they falter elsewhere. That involves being on the ice, where speed is a factor of how quickly you can enter an opponent's zone and enforce your will.
Speed can help you gain entry and control the space you occupy, and for Othmann and Perreault, they have some work to do.
Both have below-average speed in the NHL, which could pose problems against faster and meaner teams, like the Panthers.
Pronman's latest rankings of the team's prospects could surprise you:
Despite that significant red flag, Pronman projects Perreault and Othmann to be middle-six forwards in the NHL. The respected NHL Draft and prospect expert ranked Othmann as New York's No. 2 prospect, with Perreault landing at No. 4. Pronman listed forward Malcolm Spence as the Rangers top prospect, and defenseman E.J. Emery ranked third.
While Pronman believes both forwards will reach the NHL in their careers, it won't happen right away.
With Perreault and Othmann being two of the team's top prospects, their pipeline isn't looking so hot lately, given a ranking of 24 out of 32.
Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann's Future
While both Perreault and Othmann have their pros and cons, Perreault's hockey sense and compete level are above average, while Othmann's shot is considered the same by Pronman. Their skating should improve:
Othmann, in Pronman's estimation, lacks the speed we see in a typical NHL game: he's unable to keep the pace.
«His skating isn't the best, and if he were to miss, it would be due to a lack of speed in his game.»
Othmann scored 21 goals in his rookie season with the Wolfpack, but would be unable to contribute more than 2 assists in a bottom-six role in New York.
«He has great hands and offensive sense, and a shot that can finish chances from a distance,» Pronman noted. «He plays quite hard, too. He's a physical and competitive forward who can frustrate opponents.»
But for Perreault, who scored 108 points (35-73) in 73 games with the Boston College Eagles, would find disappointment in the NHL.
He'd be held scoreless during his time in New York, despite having 5 shots on goal.
Pronman believes he can improve:
«The issues with Perreault's game are his 5-foot-11 frame (180 pounds) and lack of foot speed. He's a competitive player, though, who gets to the inside even though he's not highly physical.»
But for now, it seems they may require more time in the AHL to mature their games and add some size to their frames.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
| POLL | ||
AOUT 27 | 82 ANSWERS Two Important New York Rangers Prospects Who Must Move Past The Same Issue In Order To Succeed Do you think forward Gabe Perreault, or forward Brennan Othmann of the New York Rangers, will make the team in 2025-26? | ||
| Yes | 70 | 85.4 % |
| No | 12 | 14.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
