Kitchener Rangers 2015-16 Season Thread

[Hockey4Lyfe13]

Bracco coming now?

That's crazy. But it'll certainly help.

There are multiple sources saying this morning that bracco is leaving BC and is signing with Kitchener soon!

 

[Tim Raines]

Basically confirmed now with Bob McKenzie verifying it.

 

[Bullseye]

Big News for your team. The guy is sick.

 

[CharlieGirl]

I'll believe it fully when I see him on the ice in a Rangers jersey. But I'm very hopeful!

Couldn't come at a better time for the Rangers, but once everyone is healthy, there are a lot of bodies to fit into 4 lines. Not a bad problem to have, but one that will need to be resolved.

 

[Nabru]

basically confirmed now with bob mckenzie verifying it.

 

[DintedGarageDoor]

I would believe that considering McKenzie's son is the assistant GM and coach

 

[OhSheila]

Yes!

Props to Murray Hiebert and the entire organization.

What a tremendous addition!

 

[Finster8]

Props to Murray Hiebert and the entire organization.

What a tremendous addition!

lt couldn't have come at a better time.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Back (with new username) after some account issues, but also wanted to commend the changes the new coaching staff have implemented.

I was one who expressed a lot of concern with hiring another assistant, but I was optimistic that they brought in credible assistants. From day one of training camp, I could see some key differences.

First and foremost, they are allowing creativity. Players are being encouraged to use their eyes and make plays as they enter the zone. The mindless chip-and-chase of Smith is hopefully a thing of the past that will never be seen again. Any sane hockey mind could see you don't tell players like Mascherin to play that way.

Secondly, there is more tempo to the game. The team was skating in quick-sand last year and never had the pace to push opponents. Now they're doing much more at high speed and the they're catching up to the game. Last year they couldn't complete a 5-foot pass. This year, they're completing 20-foot passes at full speed. Clearly, the practices have changed.

Finally, player usage. They're using their eyes and seeing that players like DiPerna flourish when allowed to skate and be assertive. A DiPerna who languishes on the bench or is told to react all game is a much weaker player.

Granted it's early and I know they'll hit blips, but I like what I see. I still think a few moves need to be made to gain another scoring forward.

As for yesterday, I also thought the refs missed a few blatant calls early. The one on Mascherin was a dumb, dumb play by Petschenig.

^ is it safe to say that with the change in the coaching philosophy that it may have convinced the TML and Bracco to come to Kitchener?

IMHO...YES

 

[Sleeperpick]

Props to Murray Hiebert and the entire organization.

What a tremendous addition!

If anyone does not think that the Ranger current start did not come into play with his decision they are nuts!! Very Very excited about this. Definitely puts the Rangers in the Top 3 in West for sure. Now we can focus on a shut down dman!

 

[bobber]

^ is it safe to say that with the change in the coaching philosophy that it may have convinced the TML and Bracco to come to Kitchener?

IMHO...YES

Ward I want you to write Toronto Maple Leafs 100 times for using a short form. As a Hab fan it will be difficult. Gravol will help

 

[Ward Cornell]

Ward I want you to write Toronto Maple Leafs 100 times for using a short form. As a Hab fan it will be difficult. Gravol will help

Bobber....I will do that for an old Bruins fan BUT you have to write down "too many men on ice in playoff overtime is a no no against Guy Lafleur and the Habs" .....100 times using long hand!

Oxycontin will help....somewhat!

 

[bobber]

Bobber....I will do that for an old Bruins fan BUT you have to write down "too many men on ice in playoff overtime is a no no against Guy Lafleur and the Habs" .....100 times using long hand!

Oxycontin will help....somewhat!

Thanks for reminding me of that reoccuring night mare. Nothing helps!

 

[Melrose]

Ward, I would agree with you that Bracco could have been influenced by the change of coaching philosophy and will include that the way the Rangers have come out of the blocks to start the season has also contributed to his decision. Either way, it's great to finally get such a great prospect into a Ranger uni.

 

[Tim Raines]

^ is it safe to say that with the change in the coaching philosophy that it may have convinced the TML and Bracco to come to Kitchener?

IMHO...YES

Absolutely. I guarantee that was a factor. I'm not saying it was the only factor, but you'd be nuts to think it wasn't a factor.

If I were the kid, I would have been leery about coming as well until the coaching staff proved things were different.

 

[ORYX]

^ is it safe to say that with the change in the coaching philosophy that it may have convinced the TML and Bracco to come to Kitchener?

IMHO...YES

It's tough to say whether or not that influenced the decision. Van Ryn was tabbed as the guy behind the bench when Bracco was deciding mid July whether or not to report here, or to college.

I think there are probably many reasons, of which the coaching may definitely play a factor. Others could be the teams early success and the prospect of playing big minutes on a competitive team, that if things go as planned, have as good a shot as any to make a deep run. Proximity to the Maple Leafs as well.

Lets also not forget that appeared to have seriously considered the Rangers after the draft - could be as simple as things just arent working out the way he had envisioned at school, and that was enough to say "Hey, lets head to Kitchener".

Very excited to have him!!

 

[Jeffy3535]

It's tough to say whether or not that influenced the decision. Van Ryn was tabbed as the guy behind the bench when Bracco was deciding mid July whether or not to report here, or to college.

:

I guess no one but Bracco really knows, but at the same time it seems fairly obvious that the coaching is why he's coming. When VanRyn was named coach, pretty much everyone but the media thought it was a bad/lazy hire (myself included). He's proven a lot of people wrong. I'm sure Bracco would've signed in the summer if he knew VanRyn's capabilities, but now there's no reason not to. The Leafs haven't signed Bracco, so from what I gather it's his own decision whether he wants to come or not. At least I hope it's not another Jeremy D'Amigo situation. Can't wait for the weekend

 

[Ward Cornell]

Snowball effect?.....hopefully Jeremy Bracco will have a wee talk with Jacob Tortora (a Bracco clone who also committed to Boston College) and get him he as well when his time with the USNDT is fullfilled.

 

[EvenSteven]

Bobber....I will do that for an old Bruins fan BUT you have to write down "too many men on ice in playoff overtime is a no no against Guy Lafleur and the Habs" .....100 times using long hand!

Oxycontin will help....somewhat!

A Hab an here.

That too many men penalty didn't happen in OT. It happened in the 3rd. Lafleur tied the game on that PP to sent it to OT.

 

[EvenSteven]

Snowball effect?.....hopefully Jeremy Bracco and have a wee talk with Jacob Tortora (a Bracco clone who also committed to Boston College) and get him he as well when his time with the USNDT is fullfilled.

Also, I'm wondering how Tom Novak's NCAA experience has been. According to Brown, he has just one assist so far this year. Is that an icetime issue? Perhaps he'd like a change of scenery as well.

 

[EvenSteven]

I guess no one but Bracco really knows, but at the same time it seems fairly obvious that the coaching is why he's coming. When VanRyn was named coach, pretty much everyone but the media thought it was a bad/lazy hire (myself included). He's proven a lot of people wrong. I'm sure Bracco would've signed in the summer if he knew VanRyn's capabilities, but now there's no reason not to. The Leafs haven't signed Bracco, so from what I gather it's his own decision whether he wants to come or not. At least I hope it's not another Jeremy D'Amigo situation. Can't wait for the weekend

Much different situation. Bracco is choosing to come to Kitchener period. D'Amigo chose to leave school to play with the Marlies and was upset that they sent him to Kitchener.

 

[CharlieGirl]

And it's official.

Bracco is a Ranger!

 

[MeafAttack]

Snowball effect?.....hopefully Jeremy Bracco will have a wee talk with Jacob Tortora (a Bracco clone who also committed to Boston College) and get him he as well when his time with the USNDT is fullfilled.

This would benefit the Colts as well as the deal would kick in giving them some tradeable picks for their run in the east this season. Win/ win situation. Great addition for Kitchener. May be a move that forces London to trade sooner than they need to for those defenceman and a goalie.

 

[aresknights]

Congrats. A solid add for Rangers. ( and for the league )
Always like seeing the talent flo to the O. Makes London and others job tougher but it's what it's all about for me. Trying to match n beat the best out there.
Hopefully we see that rivalry heat up to where it was mid 2000s. ( unfortunately it'll probly be without the fiestiness lol)

 

[CharlieGirl]

Congrats. A solid add for Rangers. ( and for the league )
Always like seeing the talent flo to the O. Makes London and others job tougher but it's what it's all about for me. Trying to match n beat the best out there.
Hopefully we see that rivalry heat up to where it was mid 2000s. ( unfortunately it'll probly be without the fiestiness lol)

Is there another Perry brother hanging around? That'd do it!