Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 4)

[Coaches Coroner]

I won’t go there yet. A lot of winning needed before our trade deadline is a success.

Emptying the cupboard going all in and getting past one round isn’t the goal.

That being said, we’re on the right track. And I like our chances vs London.

I won't say success, but it's kind of neutral now, like a C- to C, as opposed to my expectation of being out in 4 or 5, which would be an F and a disaster for that deadline.

 

[BobHockey]

Go kick some London @#$, Watch out for the referring, Hunter has them in his pocket. LOL
GO KITCHENER GO

Yes we know. Reffing favours Hunter, Branch loves Hunter, the league loves Hunter yada yada yada ... LOL. Have a nice summer.

 

[EvenSteven]

…. or at least hire or give more responsibility to an AGM for non-hockey aspects of the job.

This.

 

[bobber]

That...and looking at the different scenarios if the Rangers did get swept how much more difficult it would be to attract players to come here. By sweeping Windsor and hopefully a strong showing against London it should make it easier to attract players to Kitchener.

This is so true. If the Rangers had kept up with the Chris Dennis fiasco it would have hurt their brand for sure. Parents of players coming into the league are well versed on how franchises treat players on and off the ice. Also I think coaching and development are a huge attraction to these families with sons eligible to be drafted particularly in the top couple of rounds. Listening to parents(being nosey) at the rookie camp and Gold Cup they all have connections around the league before their sons play in the OHL. Not sure if they even have the Gold Cup tourney now. Use to be able to buy tickets for that when it was held here in KW.

 

[bobber]

Yes we know. Reffing favours Hunter, Branch loves Hunter, the league loves Hunter yada yada yada ... LOL. Have a nice summer.

Apparently they loved Savard too but that never worked out. Look at the power plays. He had opportunities to win games. Spilled milk now though. Hunter knows the ropes. He knows when to jump up on the bench and wave white flags. Seems to work in his favour most times. 900 wins is not chicken scratch. It will be a hell of a tough series to win for sure.

 

[Ward Cornell]

This summer is going to be another important one for MM; beyond the draft, he may need to decide if he can handle the dual HC/GM job, or if he needs to find either another HC, a new GM (with him as HC) or at least hire or give more responsibility to an AGM for non-hockey aspects of the job.

With two more yrs owing CD, McKenzie may be persuaded into some sort of dual role. Not sure if MM enjoys coaching or think it's his future in hockey but the results are there for him.

 

[rangersblues]

Reading the Windsor Star article Savard complained about Martin crosschecking a Spit then assisting on the 3rd goal. Said something to the fact the league should look at it. Said that was when the game turned. It turned in the first game and continued into the 4th. They are probably all cross eyed in the league office looking at all the videos Savard sent in. Guess he conveniently missed all the crosschecks his players got away with. He has to come up with some excuse after this massive failure. He did have the refs in his back pocket. They even were letting the Spits play once with too many men and refusing to call a penalty last night. It wasn't reffing that caused this sweep. The Spits were totally out coached in this series. We saw that ourselves this season several times. Spit fans have the right to be upset. Rangers won 2 games without the questionable suspension of their captain. In saying this most Ranger fans are still trying to process what happened and how the team turned around so fast once the play offs started. Lets hope the keep it up against the stingy Knights.

I can't say Savard is wrong about the non-call on the 3rd goal. Would it have turned the game around - possibly. Or probably not.

The fact is that the Rangers outplayed the Spits the entire series. I felt game 4 was by the widest margin. Every time Windsor had possession of the puck the Rangers quickly shut it down before anything could develop. The team defense was smothering. The transition to offense was dynamic and Kitchener outchanced Windsor by a wider and wider margin as the series went on.

This Rangers team reminds me of the 80-81 Orval Tessier team that from no where captured the division winning their final game of the season. Even though they only had aa 34-33-1 record they went on to their first OHL championship. They beat a highly favoured Soo team in the final but left no doubt in the end who the better team was. A much tougher road to get to that point this year though.

 

[Ranger77]

That...and looking at the different scenarios if the Rangers did get swept how much more difficult it would be to attract players to come here. By sweeping Windsor and hopefully a strong showing against London it should make it easier to attract players to Kitchener.

The Rangers sometimes have potential draft prospects attending a game to get a tour of The Aud. Can you imagine any draft prospects being in the rink last night? They would have to be pretty excited about the possibility of playing here.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I can't say Savard is wrong about the non-call on the 3rd goal. Would it have turned the game around - possibly. Or probably not.

The fact is that the Rangers outplayed the Spits the entire series. I felt game 4 was by the widest margin. Every time Windsor had possession of the puck the Rangers quickly shut it down before anything could develop. The team defense was smothering. The transition to offense was dynamic and Kitchener outchanced Windsor by a wider and wider margin as the series went on.

This Rangers team reminds me of the 80-81 Orval Tessier team that from no where captured the division winning their final game of the season. Even though they only had aa 34-33-1 record they went on to their first OHL championship. They beat a highly favoured Soo team in the final but left no doubt in the end who the better team was. A much tougher road to get to that point this year though.

Difficult to argue on that non call, but what also is difficult is regardless how long of series this could have been...best of 7, 9, 11 and more the Rangers would have won. They've dominated in all aspects, defence, offense, goalkeeping, physicality and special teams.
Too be honest I'm shocked.

Let's see what the next series brings.

 

[BobHockey]

Apparently they loved Savard too but that never worked out. Look at the power plays. He had opportunities to win games. Spilled milk now though. Hunter knows the ropes. He knows when to jump up on the bench and wave white flags. Seems to work in his favour most times. 900 wins is not chicken scratch. It will be a hell of a tough series to win for sure.

It will be fun to watch !

 

[OttersHockey1968]

Congratulations on a huge series win. Highly impressive. Now go trash the Knights.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Dates announced

 

[robertmac43]

Hmmm Do I go to London for a night. and see both games?

Seems viable.

 

[Gondrex]

The Rangers sometimes have potential draft prospects attending a game to get a tour of The Aud. Can you imagine any draft prospects being in the rink last night? They would have to be pretty excited about the possibility of playing here.

I'm thinking Henry Bruz was one of them watching....if not there, at the very least online.

 

[Slowpace]

The Rangers sometimes have potential draft prospects attending a game to get a tour of The Aud. Can you imagine any draft prospects being in the rink last night? They would have to be pretty excited about the possibility of playing here.

Seeing that kind of environment has a big impact on these kids and their families' decision. Definitely helped convince Patrick Kane to come to London after attending a playoff game.

 

[rve24]

Hmmm Do I go to London for a night. and see both games?

Seems viable.

Yes! Let us know if your dropping by. Or any others making the hour drive down the 401. All good.

 

[RangerNation]

Yes! Let us know if your dropping by. Or any others making the hour drive down the 401. All good.

Oh, we're already here (sips coffee from Old South porch)

 

[rve24]

Oh, we're already here (sips coffee from Old South porch)

Hop, skip n a jump away.

 

[RangerNation]

Hop, skip n a jump away.

I have my raft too. It be high waters under the non existing ridout bridge

 

[All the Answers]

If kitchener keeps playing how they have and can split in London without Pinelli, I really like their chances. Go down 2-0 and it's going to be VERY tough.

 

[EvenSteven]

If kitchener keeps playing how they have and can split in London without Pinelli, I really like their chances. Go down 2-0 and it's going to be VERY tough.

I see a split in London and a long series. Do not want to go into London for game 7 again. Can’t push our luck.

Rangers need to close it out in 6 if they are to win.

 

[dmead]

I see a split in London and a long series. Do not want to go into London for game 7 again. Can’t push our luck.

Worked out for you last year. This year might be a bit more difficult to earn it.

 

[RangerNation]

Worked out for you last year. This year might be a bit more difficult to earn it.

I still think it was super difficult to earn it last year too, and really should have been London winning in OT. That third period in game 7 and almost all of OT was in the Rangers zone. London always has an incredible cycle game. Cajan was just on a whole new planet that game.

 

[rve24]

If kitchener keeps playing how they have and can split in London without Pinelli, I really like their chances. Go down 2-0 and it's going to be VERY tough.

It wasnt tough last year spotting LK the big series lead The old Ali ropa dope lol

 

[Gondrex]

The Rangers sometimes have potential draft prospects attending a game to get a tour of The Aud. Can you imagine any draft prospects being in the rink last night? They would have to be pretty excited about the possibility of playing here.

Ranger77, further to this subject, that atmosphere definitely makes a good case for a prospect to consider coming here. The same could likely be said for other attractive franchises like London, Ottawa, Windsor, etc. The only concern I have in the back of my mind here in Kitchener is that when that high-end prospect asks about who will be coaching this team next year. Humans by nature hate uncertainty. I am confident MM will field this question in some sort of reassuring way, but from there it will be up to the comfort level of the prospect.

Good coaching of course is a key to their development. Would this uncertainty have played into Longacre's decision last summer? I'm not necessarily claiming it did, or pretend to know one way or the other. I'm just saying that the current situation isn't really 100% ideal. On the other hand, guys like Hunter Bruz did not hesitate.