2025 - 2026 Kitchener Rangers Season Thread, Part V

[JerkNazi]

Continued from 2025 - 2026 Kitchener Rangers Season Thread, Part IV

 

[EvenSteven]

 

[EvenSteven]

I think it has to be Ellinas. What else could it be?

I think the only question is, Game One return?

 

[Fergie29]

Good luck this series.

 

[Matttheleaf]

In this article Josh talks about Ellinas being one step closer, so I would assume it is him.

As for it he will be back in time for game 1, that I am not sure of just because he only started practicing recently and still has to be medically cleared so that could cause some delays. I am hopefully he will be back in this series at some point though.

 

[EvenSteven]

In this article Josh talks about Ellinas being one step closer, so I would assume it is him.

As for it he will be back in time for game 1, that I am not sure of just because he only started practicing recently and still has to be medically cleared so that could cause some delays. I am hopefully he will be back in this series at some point though.

He’s been skating for quite a while. Just cleared for contact recently. So the cardio, legs, etc should be there.

For me, PLEASE don’t come back until he’s 100%. Shoulder injury? With the way he plays?

We need him, but it cannot be another Mitch Martin post season situation.

 

[All the Answers]

He’s been skating for quite a while. Just cleared for contact recently. So the cardio, legs, etc should be there.

For me, PLEASE don’t come back until he’s 100%. Shoulder injury? With the way he plays?

We need him, but it cannot be another Mitch Martin post season situation.

Connor Hall... we're getting a list here which is not good.

 

[EvenSteven]

Connor Hall... we're getting a list here which is not good.

Connor Hall came back unnecessarily early to play meaningless games near the end of the regular season. (Don’t know if it would have made a difference).

Martin shouldn’t have come back at all. And then fighting no less. Loved Martin as a Ranger, but that was selfish.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I suspect Ottawa will have mighty big say if and when Ellinas does return.

 

[bobber]

I'm sure that Ellinas if he plays will have a medical release not only ok'd by the Rangers but Ottawa as well. As mentioned by Ward. He must be in decent shape if it's full contact. Full contact at practice is different than in a game.

 

[EvenSteven]

I'm sure that Ellinas if he plays will have a medical release not only ok'd by the Rangers but Ottawa as well. As mentioned by Ward. He must be in decent shape if it's full contact. Full contact at practice is different than in a game.

There are no playoff style heat seeking missiles in practice.

 

[rangersblues]

I'm sure that Ellinas if he plays will have a medical release not only ok'd by the Rangers but Ottawa as well. As mentioned by Ward. He must be in decent shape if it's full contact. Full contact at practice is different than in a game.

I'm fairly certain Connor Hall and Mitchell Martin both had medical releases when they came back.

 

[bobber]

I'm fairly certain Connor Hall and Mitchell Martin both had medical releases when they came back.

Positive they did also.

 

[GeoBlue]

Positive they did also.

So the question is..............Were the doctor's wrongly rushing them back? Were their hands influenced by Management? Or were the players themselves minimizing their actual symptoms. I am thinking the latter as I don't think these young men see the future implications of such decisions. They just want to get out there and win.

 

[rangersblues]

So the question is..............Were the doctor's wrongly rushing them back? Were their hands influenced by Management? Or were the players themselves minimizing their actual symptoms. I am thinking the latter as I don't think these young men see the future implications of such decisions. They just want to get out there and win.

I tend to agree. Athletes, especially at a young age, are anxious to get back into action. That's why baseline physical testing is so important at the beginning of the year so the medical staff can compare how a player is recuperating compared to how they were prior to the injury.

 

[robertmac43]

I think with Martin just wanted come back and ride out the end of his Junior career on his terms. For him that meant getting into the revenge fight and putting on the jersey once again.

There was no world where he played another healthy OHL game and as an OA he just wanted to do it all one last time.

Checked in on his U-sports year and he played great. Ended up with 28 games played and 19 points. Looks like he is healthy and playing well.

 

[bobber]

So the question is..............Were the doctor's wrongly rushing them back? Were their hands influenced by Management? Or were the players themselves minimizing their actual symptoms. I am thinking the latter as I don't think these young men see the future implications of such decisions. They just want to get out there and win.

After recouping and healing an injury the individual player has to come to a decision to rip off the bandaid so to speak and get back into games. It has to happen sooner or later. In the case of a drafted player there must some consultation with the parent club to see if they thing their prospect is ready to return? Just spit balling.

 

[Fastpace]

Players themselves always have the final say if they can play or not. This does not, however, imply that the team management will start them, particularly in defiance of any recommendations from doctors, therapists, or professional teams that drafted them.

At the physicality level of the playoffs, a persistent injury from an early return would not help him, his teammates, or his team as a whole. It would also take longer for him to recover.

 

[Fastpace]

Memorial Cup Highway is closed, today, is the first day of opening up this highway that leads to glory! Good luck boys !

 

[Jives]

70% not playing / 30% playing - Ellinas?

No way Ellis goes to the 4th line if he plays. Has to be between Arquette and Lam to be bumped out of top 9? Hlacar gets bumped off 4th line? I think Antsis had looked the best out of the 4th line players.

 

[Matttheleaf]

70% not playing / 30% playing - Ellinas?

No way Ellis goes to the 4th line if he plays. Has to be between Arquette and Lam to be bumped out of top 9? Hlacar gets bumped off 4th line? I think Antsis had looked the best out of the 4th line players.

I would have a hard time seeing Ellinas playing this weekend, especially because they play 3 games in 4 days. Maybe he could be ready and cleared for Wednesday or even Friday for a potential game 5, but I guess we have to cross that bridge when we get there.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

Sort of a good problem to have when your bottom six guys are playing good hockey and have to make a tough choice on who gets ice time.

Hlacar, Antsis, Arquette, Lam playing well with some having flashes of excellent play.

Prob will have Ellinas sit or get 4th line time tonight and see what comes may. Possible adjustments for Sunday or Wed/Friday if needed.

Having said that, playoff Ellinas was a monster last year vs Windsor, it'd be awesome to o get him back if he's anywhere near 100%.

 

[robertmac43]

If Ellinas is 80% I think you get him involved in this series.

 

[bobber]

Brown's line up doesn't include Ellinas unless I looked at the wrong tweet.

 

[robertmac43]

Looks like the Ellinas comeback story will need to wait another game.

I think people are right to think he comes back in game 5 or beyond. This weekend is a lot of intense hockey in quick succession.