Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 5)

[Coaches Coroner]

At least one thing is 100% for sure, no way Lou caves to the core four’s salary demands. Dubas rolled over and gave them what they wanted. As a result, he handcuffed the organization salary cap wise.

Had Lou been running the show, at least
Willy, Austin and Mitch are making 1.5 to 2mil less. That saving goes a long way to getting them a decent top pairing D.

As a Habs fan, at the time, the words “We can and we will” brought music to my ears!

That's literally not 100% sure lol. All this tells me is you read the Suns headlines. Lou was bad in his tenure but magically would have suddenly been really good if he stayed. He gets way too much hindsight credit for Trotz tenure on the island and NJ legacy). I can tell you're a Habs fan lol. Nylander's contract was good for his production (lol at the idea Lou would have got him down to 5-5.5mil), only legitimately bad contract is Tavares, it's too much money tied up in a position of strength (at the time).
Our drafting suddenly improved after round 1 when Mark left (and he always had at least 1 high 1st rounder). The idea they'd be better if they chose the other guys who did poorly in their tenure here is just fantasy fodder for rival fanbases IMO.

 

[Slowpace]

That's literally not 100% sure lol. All this tells me is you read the Suns headlines. Lou was bad in his tenure but magically would have suddenly been really good if he stayed. He gets way too much hindsight credit for Trotz tenure on the island and NJ legacy). I can tell you're a Habs fan lol. Nylander's contract was good for his production (lol at the idea Lou would have got him down to 5-5.5mil), only legitimately bad contract is Tavares, it's too much money tied up in a position of strength (at the time).
Our drafting suddenly improved after round 1 when Mark left (and he always had at least 1 high 1st rounder). The idea they'd be better if they chose the other guys who did poorly in their tenure here is just fantasy fodder for rival fanbases IMO.

Sounds like you're happy with Dufus, who's done nothing but bound them to overpaid contracts, and emptied the draft cupboard. Guess that's why he's ready to leave the mess for someone else, as he painted himself into a corner.

 

[EvenSteven]

That's literally not 100% sure lol. All this tells me is you read the Suns headlines. Lou was bad in his tenure but magically would have suddenly been really good if he stayed. He gets way too much hindsight credit for Trotz tenure on the island and NJ legacy). I can tell you're a Habs fan lol. Nylander's contract was good for his production (lol at the idea Lou would have got him down to 5-5.5mil), only legitimately bad contract is Tavares, it's too much money tied up in a position of strength (at the time).
Our drafting suddenly improved after round 1 when Mark left (and he always had at least 1 high 1st rounder). The idea they'd be better if they chose the other guys who did poorly in their tenure here is just fantasy fodder for rival fanbases IMO.

Maybe not 100%. But Lou had a long history of playing contractual hardball. No reason why he wouldn’t have continued that history with these guys.

Nylander’s deal is a bargain today, but him getting what he wanted paved the way for Matthews and Marner getting what they wanted.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Sounds like you're happy with Dufus, who's done nothing but bound them to overpaid contracts, and emptied the draft cupboard. Guess that's why he's ready to leave the mess for someone else, as he painted himself into a corner.

It sounds like your upset that I pointed out Hunter was also shitty in his role with the Leafs. Lou was trading away 2nds like candy for 4C's while Hunter couldn't draft himself out of paper bag past round 1. Dubas's scouting staff has been much more successful outside of round 1 (they needed to with Dubas trading every 1st away). That's a fact that doesn't change because he signed too many players to big contracts.

No I'm not happy with Dubas, I'm just not a weird psycho about him like some people who read and regurgitate the sports section of TO papers lol. He's not good, but pretending the other options that were also bad here would have somehow been awesome and done everything right (despite not showing they could in their opportunity here) is very funny and unserious to me.
I'll end there because it's a Ranger thread and I find other fans simply cannot be normal when having conversations about the current Leafs.

Maybe not 100%. But Lou had a long history of playing contractual hardball. No reason why he wouldn’t have continued that history with these guys.

Nylander’s deal is a bargain today, but him getting what he wanted paved the way for Matthews and Marner getting what they wanted.

He played hardball in the states where taxation is less impactful on player contracts with the leverage of helming a franchise that is a consistent Championship contender or winner, without the leagues worst media and publicity (one factor for why players didn't want to come to TO for a long time). Everything here is just conjecture being laid out as fact so I'll just let you have the fantasy I guess lol.

 

[Slowpace]

I'll end there because it's a Ranger thread and I find other fans simply cannot be normal when having conversations about the current Leafs.

I see, so you're the only Leafs fan that can be normal discussing them? Got it.

 

[Purple Phart]

Leaf fans I've come to the conclusion that Harold Ballard was seriously on to something when he cheaped out on signing players. His rationale was: why spend big bucks, when these suckers will pay top dollar for tickets, and still fill the building to see bad to mediocre hockey.

Fast forward to the Dubas/Keefe era, and the team has a change in philosophy. They open the treasury, and give out big contracts in the quest to build a winner.

End result: Still no winner, but the fans got to see average to mediocre hockey as an improvement. Harold is exonerated .

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Leaf fans I've come to the conclusion that Harold Ballard was seriously on to something when he cheaped out on signing players. His rationale was: why spend big bucks, when these suckers will pay top dollar for tickets, and still fill the building to see bad to mediocre hockey.

Fast forward to the Dubas/Keefe era, and the team has a change in philosophy. They open the treasury, and give out big contracts in the quest to build a winner.

End result: Still no winner, but the fans got to see average to mediocre hockey as an improvement. Harold is exonerated .

He's not exonerated of the most egregious and appalling allegations in my eyes...I hope you don't think he was "on to" something there too lol.

 

[bobber]

Ballard saw fans with paper bags on their heads and said by the look of their faces they should be wearing bags. The Leafs are no different than any other team that pays out huge contracts to top players and still have nothing to show for it. I am surprised at the teams left in the playoffs. Hoping Deboer wins the cup but who knows. Comes down to timely goals and solid goaltending and a horse shoe well placed.

 

[EvenSteven]

He's not exonerated of the most egregious and appalling allegations in my eyes...I hope you don't think he was "on to" something there too lol.

Further off topic on here. The recent documentary on Hallard Ballard was something to see. For those who weren’t aware or weren't around for it, his tenure as owner of the Leafs was something else.

 

[rangersblues]

Further off topic on here. The recent documentary on Hallard Ballard was something to see. For those who weren’t aware or weren't around for it, his tenure as owner of the Leafs was something else.

The Glory Years

 

[EvenSteven]

Back on topic.

Any chance McKenzie poaches Ranger alum Matt O’Dette from the Seattle Thunderbirds? When does his contract run out? Might be worth a look.

 

[rangersblues]

Back on topic.

Any chance McKenzie poaches Ranger alum Matt O’Dette from the Seattle Thunderbirds? When does his contract run out? Might be worth a look.

They could try but this is O'Dette's 10th year in Seattle and 6th as a HC.

 

[EvenSteven]

They could try but this is O'Dette's 10th year in Seattle and 6th as a HC.

True. But being from TO, he may want to bring his act closer to home if he’s not headed to the pros.

That’s if he’s not under contract in Seattle next year.

 

[Habsrule]

What is your guess.

Who goes first in the NHL draft between Rehkopf or Brzustewicz?

 

[rangersblues]

What is your guess.

Who goes first in the NHL draft between Rehkopf or Brzustewicz?

I think Rehkopf. A lot more upside.

 

[robertmac43]

And the Knights end up losing. Brought me some satisfaction tonight.

 

[All the Answers]

What is your guess.

Who goes first in the NHL draft between Rehkopf or Brzustewicz?

Rehkopf as he does something exceptional (shoot the puck).However, Hunter has the better career as he does everything well. A bit undersized as a D man. I have Mark Giordano as a comparison. Carson needs to figure out his GAF element or he's on a train to Mascherin Town.

 

[Slowpace]

And the Knights end up losing. Brought me some satisfaction tonight.

Not as much as knocking out "not an 8th seed" brought Knights fans. Sorry they made you wait so long to get some satisfaction.

 

[EvenSteven]

Rehkopf as he does something exceptional (shoot the puck).However, Hunter has the better career as he does everything well. A bit undersized as a D man. I have Mark Giordano as a comparison. Carson needs to figure out his GAF element or he's on a train to Mascherin Town.

Carson works on his 200 foot game and he’ll be alright. Both probably dropped a bit in the ranking if you consider where many thought they’d be.

Brzustewicz at one point was ranked among the top ten D in his age group. When Rehkopf was drafted by Kitchener, many saw him as a probable NHL 1st rounder.

Who goes first? I’ll stick with current rankings and say Hunter B.

Not as much as knocking out "not an 8th seed" brought Knights fans. Sorry they made you wait so long to get some satisfaction.

London was picked by many to finish 5th to 7th in the conference this year. Not a bad season in a year they weren’t supposed to contend. Can’t say I didn’t enjoy the Pete’s win, but from a Knights point of view, their season was a success.

 

[Gondrex]

I admit, on one hand it will be interesting to see the young, new Rangers develop as the year progresses next season. However I would still take London's "Reload" culture over Kitchener's traditional (at least in recent years anyway) "Rebuild / Boom-Bust" cycle......or in the case of this past season an All-in-Bust.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Not as much as knocking out "not an 8th seed" brought Knights fans. Sorry they made you wait so long to get some satisfaction.

Rangers had lots of satisfaction when they took London out the previous season. More fun to come I'm sure.

 

[K2]

Can’t say I didn’t enjoy the Pete’s win, but from a Knights point of view, their season was a success.

The Knights had a pretty easy sled to the final after Windsor’s early exit IMO but certainly played a much more successful playoff campaign than last year's disappointment.

Huge kudos to the 10th (overall) seed Petes for knocking out the top two seeds and then the 5th seed Knights to advance to their 10th Memorial Cup berth. Curiously, the 'colossal failure' Rangers finished the Regular Season as 12th overall seed, a mere 2 points behind the Petes.

As always, it will be interesting to see how our OHL rep matches up against the top CHL squads.

 

[EvenSteven]

Rangers had lots of satisfaction when they took London out the previous season. More fun to come I'm sure.

True. 2010 too. But for the most part, the Rangers have been a doormat for the Knights, especially though the Marner years.

Along with the hate we have for that team down the 401, should go a ton of respect.

 

[GeoBlue]

Curiously, the 'colossal failure' Rangers finished the Regular Season as 12th overall seed, a mere 2 points behind the Petes.

Yes, but what were the Rangers doing last night and what were the Petes doing last night? Yup, as they say, the only thing that counts is what happens post-season. Ask the Spits.

 

[EvenSteven]

The Knights had a pretty easy sled to the final after Windsor’s early exit IMO but certainly played a much more successful playoff campaign than last year's disappointment.

Huge kudos to the 10th (overall) seed Petes for knocking out the top two seeds and then the 5th seed Knights to advance to their 10th Memorial Cup berth. Curiously, the 'colossal failure' Rangers finished the Regular Season as 12th overall seed, a mere 2 points behind the Petes.

As always, it will be interesting to see how our OHL rep matches up against the top CHL squads.

Knights had an easy 2nd round because we made it easy for them. But there’s no discounting their 3rd round win over Sarnia. The sting was picked by many to go to the Memorial Cup, post trade deadline. London was the underdog in that series.