Rangers’ Brennan Osman has another chance to prove his worth in the NHL

CALGARY, Alberta – All signs point to Brennan Osman making his season debut for the Rangers on Sunday night against the Flames.

It’s an excellent opportunity for the 22-year-old winger, who was cut from the Rangers’ training camp earlier last year and sent to AHL Hartford after a subpar preseason performance. Despite this, Osman was still the first forward called up with Matt Remby unable to make the road trip due to an upper-body injury.

“It’s definitely a little disappointing, and I didn’t really expect it to be honest,” Osman said of his early demotion on Saturday after practice at the Scotiabank Saddledome. “You kind of take that and still use it as motivation. I’m still a young player and still a player with some potential. I’m still happy with my game and happy with where I’m at. Obviously there’s still more I can do and more I can do.”

“Just moving forward every day and taking what I’m told and using it in games, practices and extra work in the gym and outside of it. Kind of just using that in everyday life as motivation to some extent.”

Over four years into Osman’s tenure at Rangers, both sides are still trying to figure out if it’s the right fit.

This could be a watershed moment for Ousmane regarding his future with the club.

He said there have been conversations between Osman and “different people in the organization” about how to return to the NHL level as quickly as possible.

Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman reported earlier this month that the No. 16 pick in the 2021 draft was generating interest around the NHL.

There appears to be a growing belief that a change of scenery will be beneficial for Osman, who has been unable to gain any sort of traction in his game at the NHL level over the 25 total games he has played over the past two seasons.

“I can’t really focus on that stuff,” he said of the trade rumors. “This stuff is really all over the internet. I don’t know what’s right. I don’t know what’s wrong. I’ve been so focused with Hartford and trying to get back here. It’s no secret, a couple of guys in Hartford have been asking me and telling me about it. But honestly I’ve been playing hockey and taking it day by day, day by day, and continuing to move forward and focus on getting back here and playing at the NHL level sometime this year. I think “I did a good job with it and I’m just going to keep moving forward.”

Osman received a phone call from Rangers assistant general manager Ryan Martin as he was getting into bed on Thursday night. Realizing the trip would be longer, the Ontario native said he started packing that night before leaving to catch the team vehicle at 1 p.m. on Friday.

Osman is expected to line up on the right wing of Rangers’ third line in training on Saturday, alongside Noah Laba and Will Coyle on Sunday. He also took reps on the Rangers’ second power play unit next to Coyle, Braden Schneider, Connor Sheary and Taylor Raddish.

It wasn’t the strongest start for Wolf Pack 1-4 as a whole. At the time of his call-up, Ousmane had only one assist in four matches.

However, this recall carries a bit more meaning than just relying on performance. It’s up to Usman to make the most of it.

“I think we’re looking for players to step in and help us win games,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “Whether it’s helping us offensively or being a hard worker defensively. Otter and I have had a number of conversations since training camp started about where we are right now and what the expectations are and how we think he can play a role on this team. I think he has an offensive side. I think his opportunity is just his attention to detail in terms of playing off the puck and being reliable and knowing your job and doing your job.”

“I think that’s an important component of the transition from the American League to the National League. He’ll get a chance here and we’ll see how it goes.”