No matter what happens the next couple days at New York Rangers rookie camp, it's mission accomplished for Brennan Othmann and Scott Morrow .
They were head and shoulders the best players on the ice for the Rangers in a pair of rookie games this past weekend against Philadelphia Flyers prospects. Othmann scored from the slot in a 4-3 overtime loss Friday and added three assists in a 5-2 win Saturday. That included an absolute beauty to set up linemate Noah Laba. His physical play stood out, as well.
Morrow scored a power-play goal as part of three-point outing Saturday. That followed a two-assist performance in the opener.
Mike Sullivan wasn't behind the bench for either game. But The Rangers coach was watching closely, you better believe that. And you know he was focused on these two 22-year-olds.
Not only are Othmann and Morrow among the top prospects in the Rangers organization, each has a legit shot to make the big club this fall. It was imperative that they stood out in rookie camp and these games against the Flyers. They're older, more experienced, and more mature physically and mentally than those players they're competing with.
Mission accomplished.
The next step is to hold their own and find ways to stand out once the Rangers open full training camp next week. It's one thing to dominate against kids — and it would've been bigger news had they not. But now it'll be time to show Sullivan they're NHL ready.
Othmann eyes a top-nine spot on the wing, likely on New York's third line. He hasn't scored a goal in 25 NHL games and admitted he was a bit starstruck last season.
Morrow is gunning for regular duty on the Rangers defense corps. Acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes in the K'Andre Miller, he projects to be a potent point-producer from the back end, albeit likely in a third-pair role on the right side to start. He'll need to prove that he can defend in the NHL.
Sunday is a day off. Then it's back on the ice for the final two days of rookie camp. And then big-boy camp opens Wednesday.
Three weeks for these top prospects to earn a spot on New York's opening-night roster. So far, so good.
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Our John Kreiser shares three key Rangers takeaways from the 5-2 rookie win Sturday.
WATCH : Here are highlights from that 5-2 win against the Flyers rookies.
And in case you missed it, here's John's breakdown and Rangers takeaways from the OT loss on Friday.
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NHL.com: In an exclusive interview, former Dallas Stars coach Peter DeBoer discussed his harsh criticism of goalie Jake Oettinger during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and his subsequent firing.
USA Today: Former NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow died Saturday at the age of 72 .
Sportsnet: Montreal Canadiens stud rookie Ivan Demidov — the Calder Trophy favorite heading into the 2025-26 NHL season — reportedly was electric in a prospects game against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, finishing with one goal and two assists.
Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers traded goalie goalie Ivan Fedotov to the Columbus Blue jackets for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft.
Andrew Gross on X: Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, was back on the ice at Islanders rookie camp Sunday after taking a maintenance day Saturday.
TSN: Goalie Spender Knight signed a three-year, $17.9 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks .
The Fourth Period: David Pagnotta reports that free-agent goalie Carter Hart is drawing interest from three Metropolitan Division teams — the Pittsburgh Penguins , Carolina Hurricanes, and Flyers (his previous employer).
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