The Calgary Flames will be down a forward when they hit the ice on Thursday to officially kick off training camp.
While GM Craig Conroy was able to get most of his roster complete early in the offseason, one thing he was unable to work out was a contract extension with Brennan Othmann. The 23-year-old remains a RFA despite the 2026-27 season beginning in less than two weeks’ time.
Othmann was a late addition to the Flames last season, being acquired on trade deadline day from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward prospect Jacob Battaglia. Othmann went on to play 14 games with the Wranglers, scoring a goal and adding six assists. He also scored a goal and added a helper in two games with the Flames.
Given that the Flames parted ways with a solid prospect in Battaglia shows that they believe Othmann can develop into a regular NHLer. He joined the organization having logged 42 career games over the span of three separate seasons with the Rangers.
Othmann, who was selected 16th overall in 2021, has shown he can score at the AHL level. Unfortunately, it hasn’t translated to the NHL just yet, which could be the holdup over this contract.
This could be a case of the player wanting a one-way contract to ensure NHL salary regardless of what level he’s playing at. It could also be Othmann and his agent trying to increase his AHL pay should he be back with the Wranglers this coming season.
Regardless of the holdup, the best-case scenario is that the two sides can work out an extension in the immediate future. After all, it’s not out of the cards that Othmann could play himself onto the opening night roster with a strong training camp. In order to do so, however, he’s going to need to hurry up and put pen to paper.
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