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

[K2]

I see a split in London and a long series. Do not want to go into London for game 7 again.

The fewer opportunities for Steve Baker & his TV to decide any (more) playoff games the better

 

[Ward Cornell]

Ok...onto the next round vs London. Both teams are undefeated and are on pace to go 16-0 in the playoffs. Of course I'm on pace to live forever but I doubt I will.
I think it will be a heck of a series and I'm rolling with London in 6 games. Yes, the Rangers looked good vs Windsor but the Rangers have been consistency inconconsistent and got to go with what I've seen all season.

 

[rangersblues]

Ok...onto the next round vs London. Both teams are undefeated and are on pace to go 16-0 in the playoffs. Of course I'm on pace to live forever but I doubt I will.
I think it will be a heck of a series and I'm rolling with London in 6 games. Yes, the Rangers looked good vs Windsor but the Rangers have been consistency inconconsistent and got to go with what I've seen all season.

I'm really torn. Those 4 games vs Windsor are as consistent as it gets. However literally at no point was Kitchener under any duress. I'm sure they will be vs London. It will be interesting how they handle it.

 

[Jives]

London vs Windsor.

Windsor - High offence team with weak D and G (although Windsor can not blame G for the loss).

London - you could say is the exact opposite. Very good D and G but maybe lacking some depth upfront on offence. Probably built more for playoff type hockey.

I think he real question is can Kitchener depth on forward (losing Pinelli is huge for first 2) wear down London D. Can Constani remain just as strong as the first series. That is the best he has played all year and for Kitchener who is going to have a much harder time putting up goals vs London our goalie has to be strong to keep the low scoring games. I don’t think this will be a high scoring series.

Obviously MM preferred to play Windsor high offence and low defence team first round. Can he come up with a game plan that will work on an almost really opposite type of team.

I think it’s going to be a heck of a series and goes 6 or 7 either way. If Rangers can get a spilt in London without Pinelli I think Rangers win the series. If Pinelli lose is too big to overcome and we go down 2-0 I think it’s a win by London.

 

[rangersblues]

London vs Windsor.

Windsor - High offence team with weak D and G (although Windsor can not blame G for the loss).

London - you could say is the exact opposite. Very good D and G but maybe lacking some depth upfront on offence. Probably built more for playoff type hockey.

I think he real question is can Kitchener depth on forward (losing Pinelli is huge for first 2) wear down London D. Can Constani remain just as strong as the first series. That is the best he has played all year and for Kitchener who is going to have a much harder time putting up goals vs London our goalie has to be strong to keep the low scoring games. I don’t think this will be a high scoring series.

Obviously MM preferred to play Windsor high offence and low defence team first round. Can he come up with a game plan that will work on an almost really opposite type of team.

I think it’s going to be a heck of a series and goes 6 or 7 either way. If Rangers can get a spilt in London without Pinelli I think Rangers win the series. If Pinelli lose is too big to overcome and we go down 2-0 I think it’s a win by London.

I wouldn't underestimate London's depth at forward. What they don't have is high end players like Evangelista and Stranges this year. But their scoring comes from a lot of different places.

I agree getting a split in London is really important.

 

[GeoBlue]

London vs Windsor.

Windsor - High offence team with weak D and G (although Windsor can not blame G for the loss).

London - you could say is the exact opposite. Very good D and G but maybe lacking some depth upfront on offence. Probably built more for playoff type hockey.

I think he real question is can Kitchener depth on forward (losing Pinelli is huge for first 2) wear down London D. Can Constani remain just as strong as the first series. That is the best he has played all year and for Kitchener who is going to have a much harder time putting up goals vs London our goalie has to be strong to keep the low scoring games. I don’t think this will be a high scoring series.

Obviously MM preferred to play Windsor high offence and low defence team first round. Can he come up with a game plan that will work on an almost really opposite type of team.

I think it’s going to be a heck of a series and goes 6 or 7 either way. If Rangers can get a spilt in London without Pinelli I think Rangers win the series. If Pinelli lose is too big to overcome and we go down 2-0 I think it’s a win by London.

Yeah, and if you compare London to the London of last year, I believe they are much better in 2023. Offense is a bit more spread out as they really relied on Evangelista and Stranges last year, whom I might say, were trying to do too much on their own. Defence is considerably better this year and Brochu is healthy.

 

[bobber]

Yeah, and if you compare London to the London of last year, I believe they are much better in 2023. Offense is a bit more spread out as they really relied on Evangelista and Stranges last year, whom I might say, were trying to do too much on their own. Defence is considerably better this year and Brochu is healthy.

London was the stingiest team in the west this season. It's a stat that says a lot. Ottawa was the stingiest in the east.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Anyone know why the rangers are waiting until Tuesday morning to open up ticket sales for the second round, instead of opening them right after the series win on Thursday like London did? My only thought is that they couldn't get Centre in the Square to get anything ready before Easter weekend I suppose.

 

[rangersblues]

Anyone know why the rangers are waiting until Tuesday morning to open up ticket sales for the second round, instead of opening them right after the series win on Thursday like London did? My only thought is that they couldn't get Centre in the Square to get anything ready before Easter weekend I suppose.

I'm guessing they're observing the Easter Holidays.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Should be a hell of a goalie battle.

 

[Ranger77]

Why are the Sunday games in Kitchener scheduled for 2 pm? Seems like that could hurt attendance, especially if the weather is nice.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Why are the Sunday games in Kitchener scheduled for 2 pm? Seems like that could hurt attendance, especially if the weather is nice.

Majority of Sunday games are typically at 2:00. Higher chance people will come out and then have their night ahead of them to get ready for the week, plus then younger kids can come without being out late.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Why are the Sunday games in Kitchener scheduled for 2 pm? Seems like that could hurt attendance, especially if the weather is nice.

That's the way Hunter wanted it when he and Branch worked out the round 2 schedule. Take away our "X Factor" in the crowd. Shrewd gamesmanship imo.

 

[Slowpace]

That's the way Hunter wanted it when he and Branch worked out the round 2 schedule. Take away our "X Factor" in the crowd. Shrewd gamesmanship imo.

Historically, the Knights haven't played well in afternoon games, especially on the road.

 

[digicamo]

That's the way Hunter wanted it when he and Branch worked out the round 2 schedule. Take away our "X Factor" in the crowd. Shrewd gamesmanship imo.

Unfortunately, I don't know if we can count on the crowd being a key differentiator in this series. London is literally the only other team in the O with a fanbase arguably stronger than ours and an arena atmosphere to match. Will be a great series, can't wait to see what happens in games 1 and 2 without Pinelli.

 

[nelli27]

If it comes down to special teams, advantage Rangers. Knights PK is horrible; PP mediocre (at best).

 

[Torts]

Just like last year....Rangers in 7 games in with a clutch OT winner to win the series.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

The Rangers need to put their historic series win against Windsor behind them. That was then and this is now. If they can get back to their "business as usual" attitude and roll all four lines with the confidence they had against Windsor, they will do well against a tough London team that Hunter has built for the playoffs. Emotions will be high on both sides. It's all how it's channeled.

Weeks back, Hunter said don't let the Rangers record fool you, this team is better than its ranking. Either team can win this series. It all comes down to who blinks first and whether the London Dive Team makes a return (couldn't resist).

I never picked the Rangers to beat Windsor. I'll say it's a toss up between these two teams. Should be a barn burner of a series!!

 

[Rangers True Blue]

As the OHL draft approaches, Elite Prospects mock draft shows this for Kitchener.
I'd be good with this:

 

[EvenSteven]

Not so sure I’d be married to taking Henry. Nothing against him, but if we’re planning on moving out Hunter in the off season to replenish the draft cupboard, perhaps Henry’s already stated interest in Kitchener may not be as strong?

Just a thought.

In another draft ranking, Henry was at #22. He’d been referred to as the 8th best US born D in his age group. Us taking him at 9 may be a stretch?

 

[EvenSteven]

I posted the following before the Memorial Cup host was announced


Scenario:

-Saginaw is awarded the hosting duties.
-MM immediately goes into talks with Saginaw and the Brzustewicz clan.
-Henry Brzustewicz quietly makes it known that he’ll only play for Saginaw.
-Saginaw takes him in the 2nd round, the round he is currently ranked in (22nd).
-When the summer trade window opens, Rangers trade Hunter to Saginaw for the max return as they’d be getting a full year of his services.

The Brzustewicz clan is happy to have their brothers playing together. They’ll get a shot at winning a Memorial Cup. Saginaw is happy to have added a stud D for their run. The Rangers are happy as they’d be getting the biggest possible return in moving Hunter in the offseason instead of at the deadline

Then, to expand on these dealings with Saginaw, at the deadline, we move 1.5 years of Rehkopf to Saginaw for a massive package that would include the player they’ll take in the 1st round in this draft.

That gives Saginaw a stud sniper for their run who they can sell off in the next off season to start their rebuild.

That gives the Rangers a third player taken in the 1st round of this draft. Great way to start the rebuild.


Further, since the Rangers’ discussions with Saginaw would be already underway in this scenario, and Saginaw’s ‘23 1st rounder would be coming our way in a Rehkopf deal, MM would have major input into who Saginaw drafts in the first round at #16.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Not so sure I’d be married to taking Henry. Nothing against him, but if we’re planning on moving out Hunter in the off season to replenish the draft cupboard, perhaps Henry’s already stated interest in Kitchener may not be as strong?

Just a thought.

In another draft ranking, Henry was at #22. He’d been referred to as the 8th best US born D in his age group. Us taking him at 9 may be a stretch?

We pick 10 and 11. Teams draft lists in all drafts vary greatly from the free lists we have access to. I wouldn't be married to the "draft rankings" we see on eliteprospects or what have you, some of them are submitted anonymously so we have no idea who even made it and if they watch all these guys or not.

 

[flamebird]

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.

I think key thing is the Rangers figured out how to score in game 3 + 4 without Pinelli which gives the whole group confidence. On paper Kitchener has more 50pts scorers than London. Arcuri and Zhilkin are arguably better 'game breakers' than London's top-2 scorers.

Kitchener needs to steal game 1, work like dogs game 2, and hope for the best going home for game 3.

 

[GeoBlue]

Tell me if I am mistaken but I do not recall the Rangers getting into any shootouts during this past regular season?

 

[rangersblues]

Tell me if I am mistaken but I do not recall the Rangers getting into any shootouts during this past regular season?

Correct