Flames’ Othmann Has a Lot to Prove in First Season in Calgary

Brennan Othmann was traded to the Calgary Flames on March 6, 2026, from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward prospect Jacob Battaglia. Drafted with the 16th-overall pick in the 2021 National Hockey League (NHL) draft, Othmann hasn’t quite lived up to the standard, having played only 44 career games and recording two goals and three assists. 

Throughout the preseason, many questions were asked about who was going to fill the winger positions for the Flames. With seemingly numerous spots up for grabs in depth roles, it was Othmann who claimed the final roster spot from many vying competitors. 

A lot of work is still left for Othmann to earn an every-game spot, but making the roster is a massive step in the right direction for the former Flint Firebird. 

Othmann’s Career So Far

Othmann, until this year, had yet to make a roster out of training camp; even after successful showings, it was never enough in the eyes of his former team. Othmann didn’t let it hurt his confidence. During his first year of professional hockey with the Hartford Wolf Pack in his 20-year-old season, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Rangers, he finished the season second not only in goals but also in points. 

The following year, during the 2024-25 season, Othmann once again showed his productive offensive abilities, which are driven by his hard-forechecking style and high-level wrist shot, which has been devastating at every level he’s played so far. After recording 12 goals and 20 points in 27 games, he was recalled by the Rangers for the remainder of the season but was a shell of himself, managing only two assists in 22 games. 

At the beginning of the 2025-26 season, the same pattern continued: playing well through preseason, then being reassigned to the Wolf Pack to start the season. This time, he spent many stints up and down, recording his first goal in his 34th career game. He was demoted a final time in Feb. of 2026 and then traded on March 6, 2026. 

After arriving in Calgary, Othmann started with the Calgary Wranglers, the Flames’ AHL affiliate, recording five assists through his first 10 games. He was then called up to the Flames for two games, recording one goal and one assist, easily his most productive stint in the NHL. He then finished the season with the Wranglers. 

Othmann’s Time to Prove

Othmann’s 2021 Draft class is tough to grade. Most players have yet to live up to their draft positions, except for a few, such as Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston. All the players had an entire year of junior hockey or longer taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic during crucial years of development. 

During his lone preseason game that he was able to complete, Othmann competed extremely well, showing his relentless engine on forecheck while also recording two assists while only recording 12:14 time on ice. He was ejected from his first game after only playing 53 seconds following an illegal elbow to Seattle Kraken defender Ville Ottovainen. 

Luckily for Othmann, this was enough for him to make the roster, and it’s a year when the Flames should be experimenting a lot as the team is young and without a proven star to build around; nothing is set in stone. He won’t be on the roster every night, which is why it’s ever more important this year for him to continue off that strong showing at the end of last season and the confidence he gained from making the roster this season. 

Othmann’s potential has shrunk; there is no doubt about it, but still only 23 years old and with a frame built for the NHL, he still has time to claw back his way to eventually becoming an NHL regular and, depending on how the season plays out for the Flames, a middle-six role.