Brennan Othmann gave Ryan Huska an immediate problem Sunday night with an ugly preseason hit that could bring league discipline.
The Calgary Flames winger was assessed a five-minute major for elbowing Ville Ottavainen during their preseason game against the Seattle Kraken.
Othmann caught the 6-foot-4 Kraken defenseman high along the boards. The officials reviewed the sequence and removed Othmann from the game.
The timing matters. Othmann is trying to establish himself with Calgary after signing a one-year deal, and preseason games are supposed to help players win jobs, not create disciplinary questions.
The former 16th overall pick has played 44 NHL games, producing 2 goals and 5 points. Every exhibition appearance carries weight when a player is still battling for a permanent role.
The video makes this one difficult to ignore. Othmann drives through Ottavainen's upper body before his elbow swings back and makes another clear connection with the Seattle defenseman.
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Othmann could face the NHL's first suspension
That sequence deserves a close look from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Head contact, the elbowing major and the follow-through all give the league plenty to review.
A suspension hasn't been announced, but this has the profile of a play that could produce the first ban of the 2026-27 NHL calendar.
Seattle responded immediately on the ice. John Hayden went after Othmann, resulting in a fight only seconds after the hit and adding another five minutes to Othmann's penalty total.
For Huska, the bigger concern is what the play means inside the roster competition. Othmann needs to show he can bring physical pressure without putting Calgary in difficult situations.
The Flames surrendered a power-play goal on the resulting advantage, turning one reckless sequence into an immediate scoreboard consequence.
Othmann has enough edge to make himself noticeable. Now the league may decide that Sunday night's hit crossed the line, and preseason could deliver its first suspension before opening night even arrives.
Should Brennan Othmann be suspended for his hit on Ville Ottavainen?
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