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

[rangersblues]

Listened to a podcast out of Montreal this morning. They were at the post draft evaluation camp and on Mesar, they said for a player that would demand top six minutes in Laval, based on the type of player he is, he was unimpressive.

They said he struggled at times and looked to be in tough to earn that top six spot in Laval as the Habs have a deep farm system.

They did say it was one camp but he had a lot of work to do. They mentioned that Owen Beck outplayed him by a mile.

There were honestly times when he wasn't playing like a top 6 forward last year.

 

[bobber]

Listened to a podcast out of Montreal this morning. They were at the post draft evaluation camp and on Mesar, they said for a player that would demand top six minutes in Laval, based on the type of player he is, he was unimpressive.

They said he struggled at times and looked to be in tough to earn that top six spot in Laval as the Habs have a deep farm system.

They did say it was one camp but he had a lot of work to do. They mentioned that Owen Beck outplayed him by a mile.

When a player is the size of Mesar he really has to stand out no matter how good he thinks he is. I like the kid. Seems to have his head glued on the right way during interviews. Personally I could see him being sent back just to put on more beef. He did lose a lot of battles in the OHL play offs along the boards with bigger players. After watching the NHL play offs he just isn't big enough for pro hockey yet IMO.

 

[Tim Wallach]

I took a long look at Laval's prospective roster this year even before all signings are finished and he'd have a really tough time getting a lineup spot even on the 4th line, which is a terrible spot for a small 19 year old to be.

He needs to face his own reality, which is that he belongs in junior. If he won't face that and his agent demands pro, it'll likely be ECHL or Europe. He just won't get the ice he needs in the AHL at this point.

 

[pgfan66]

Based on posts I have seen in other team threads, the Rangers will likely be making two selections since both Mesar and Hamara are signed NHL picks and they can be added to a non-counting import protected list.

I would guess the team will use the first pick to take a top-nine/middle-six forward they know will commit (as a backup plan if Mesar does make Laval) and then take a homerun swing with the second pick and try to hold onto the players rights somehow (since Hamara will be back).

This is correct. Both are on the NHL reserve list.

 

[EvenSteven]

This is correct. Both are on the NHL reserve list.

We’re rebuilding. The best case scenario is to draft an 06 who’ll come this year or next. If he comes this year, go with him and Hamara and if Mesar is assigned back here, move him to a contender.

If 26-27 is the target year, we should be pretty good the year before when our 06 group is in their last year. Best to have a good 06 group with that season in mind too.

 

[EvenSteven]

We’re rebuilding. The best case scenario is to draft an 06 who’ll come this year or next. If he comes this year, go with him and Hamara and if Mesar is assigned back here, move him to a contender.

If 26-27 is the target year, we should be pretty good the year before when our 06 group is in their last year. Best to have a good 06 group with that season in mind too.

And it’s an ‘06 we’ve drafted.

C- Tomas Pobezal.


Regarding Mesar:

They weren’t blown away by the first 25 min of Mesar in today’s intersquad game. They didn’t think he was working all that much but he did look better in the second half. Came down the wing and ripped a nice goal on a wrist shot.

They think maybe he could be the type of player who’s very skilled but often invisible but all of a sudden he steps up on a shift and scores a goal.

The opinion of a couple guys on scouting services.

 

[rangersblues]

And it’s an ‘06 we’ve drafted.

C- Tomas Pobezal.


Regarding Mesar:

They weren’t blown away by the first 25 min of Mesar in today’s intersquad game. They didn’t think he was working all that much but he did look better in the second half. Came down the wing and ripped a nice goal on a wrist shot.

They think maybe he could be the type of player who’s very skilled but often invisible but all of a sudden he steps up on a shift and scores a goal.

The opinion of a couple guys on scouting services.

That's all fine stepping up and scoring goals all of a sudden but he only did that 17 times in junior last year. Mesar needs to be a lot more productive if that's the type of player he turns out to be.

 

[Jives]

And it’s an ‘06 we’ve drafted.

C- Tomas Pobezal.

His international numbers are…well bad.
His Slovakia junior numbers are decent.

 

[bobber]

That's all fine stepping up and scoring goals all of a sudden but he only did that 17 times in junior last year. Mesar needs to be a lot more productive if that's the type of player he turns out to be.

I really like Mesar's attitude and mannerism. Seems to take things in stride. I get the opinion he considers his skill level to be higher than other Major Junior players though which is far from the case. Seems like someone pumped his tires. Major Junior is the best junior league in the world IMO. Others may not think so but if an import comes in and doesn't dominate here he won't dominate in the American League either. A prospect in the AHL has to either put up some high end numbers or be physical as hell to be considered for a call up to the parent club. I doubt Mesar is at level in his short career. Maybe I am wrong.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

2nd pick is from Finland and a highly rated D....Aron Kiviharju

Who is Aron Kiviharju? Meet Finland's 2024 super draft prospect who was cut from the World Juniors | Sporting News

The 16-year-old is the youngest player at the World Juniors.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[Jives]

His international numbers are…well bad.
His Slovakia junior numbers are decent.

After reading more about Pobezal he seems like a very good player. It’s early but talks of 1st round pick for 2025 NHL draft.

 

[Jives]

Both picks are 2006 born. So…with that I can’t see either one of them being here when the Rangers are trying to host the mem cup when our 4 2007 will be 19 years old.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

Both picks are 2006 born. So…with that I can’t see either one of them being here when the Rangers are trying to host the mem cup when our 4 2007 will be 19 years old.

That was always going to be the case going into this Import Draft the whole time as 2007-born players are not eligible for it until next year.

This just maximizes the time that these players could play in Kitchener, more so Tomas Pobezal who is more likely to join vs. Aron Kiviharju who was about as big a flyer you could take in this year's draft for underagers.

 

[K2]

His international numbers are…well bad.
His Slovakia junior numbers are decent.

With some added context that may (or not) be meaningful, he was the only '06 (Sept) on the recent IIHF U18 Slovak team and probably just 14 or 15 on a U18 team for some these stats putting up respectable points playing in Slovakia against older U18/20 & adult (Slovakia2) league players as a wiry young guy.

 

[EvenSteven]

Both picks are 2006 born. So…with that I can’t see either one of them being here when the Rangers are trying to host the mem cup when our 4 2007 will be 19 years old.

No problem. If they report, chances are they’d help lead this team to a decent playoff run the year before 26-27.

Nothing wrong with a possible deep playoff run the year before possibly hosting to get the guys playoff experience.

Our 07’s will be 18 and our 08’s, one of which will likely be a top 5 or 6 overall pick, will be in their NHL draft year. Add maybe both these imports and a developed Bottineau and it should make for a pretty good team for 25-26.

 

[bobber]

Just a summertime query? Anyone know if Jason Akeson spends the summer in this area. Saw two fancy red shiny expensive sporty looking cars parked at Activa when we were over at the walking track. Both with "Akie" on the license plates. Guys working out were Jr. A and semi pro players. Couldn't tell who they were but they looked to have Ranger practice jerseys on. Nice to see hockey players running drills on an extremely hot summer day.

 

[Matttheleaf]

less focused on the draft and the farther future with this post, but does anyone have some guesses as to who could be our captain(s) and alternates this year with it more than likely being a hard sell off year?

 

[EvenSteven]

less focused on the draft and the farther future with this post, but does anyone have some guesses as to who could be our captain(s) and alternates this year with it more than likely being a hard sell off year?

One captain.

C- Mitch Martin
A- Simon Motew
A- Hunter Brzustewicz
A- Matt Andonovski.

Should one or more of the above be dealt this year, then the C goes to whoever is remaining if Martin is moved out. Then, in order, I put letters on Rehkopf. Hollett. Sop.

I’m not a fan of not putting the C on a player because that player is slated to be traded. That misstep was made when MM passed on giving the C to Petizian or Xhekaj. Nothing against Pinelli, but he wasn’t ready. Especially with those two on the roster.

 

[Habsrule]

My guess is

C - Sop
A - Motew
A - Martin
A - Brzustewicz or Rehkopf

Sop is a Kitchener boy and it would be a great story for him to wear the C.

 

[Matttheleaf]

I think that they will go with the veteran option as well and select one of their OA's in Sop, Martin or Motew so they can show all the new kids the ropes. I would then also give both Hunter and Carson an A (along with the 2 OA's that didn't get the C) if we are allowed 4 like I have seen other teams have. However if they can only ice 3 A's at a time then rotate it between Hunter and Carson I suppose.

 

[EvenSteven]

My guess is

C - Sop
A - Motew
A - Martin
A - Brzustewicz or Rehkopf

Sop is a Kitchener boy and it would be a great story for him to wear the C.

I would hope that whoever they pick as captain is the right person because he’s a good leader in the room and by example. If that guy is Sop, then fine.

This is a rebuilding season. I think it’ll be important to future leaders on this team to have had a top end captain to learn from. That’s part of the rebuilding process.

No disrespect to you or Sop, but I hope Sop isn’t given the C because he’s from Kitchener and it would be a great story.

 

[bobber]

The Rangers allegedly drafted 4 captains this past draft. There should be no shortage of leaders in the future. Hopefully one of them is a future clone of Mike Richards.

 

[EvenSteven]

The Rangers allegedly drafted 4 captains this past draft. There should be no shortage of leaders in the future. Hopefully one of them is a future clone of Mike Richards.

When he wore the C in Kitchener, Mike Richards said on more than one occasion that he credited past Ranger captains, Derek Roy and Nick Policelli, leaders he apprenticed under, as big reasons why he was the leader he was in Kitchener.

We need to pick the right captain this year for that reason.

 

[bobber]

When he wore the C in Kitchener, Mike Richards said on more than one occasion that he credited past Ranger captains, Derek Roy and Nick Policelli, leaders he apprenticed under, as big reasons why he was the leader he was in Kitchener.

We need to pick the right captain this year for that reason.

I do think Martin would be a good captain. He is a big strong kid that for whatever reason got under the skin of opposing players. I think a lack of development here and a couple of injuries have kept him from the draft. He did get an honorable mention on a couple of list but his viewings were limited because of the said injuries. Under the wing of a decent coach he would blossom into the power forward he should have been here. Andonovski should also wear a letter with his grit. Everything here hinges on the Rangers bringing in the right coach. I also hope that coach has control over the direction of his assistants. The issues with the present system here are kind of obvious. Opposing players love playing at the Aud. That narrative here has to change.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I would hope that whoever they pick as captain is the right person because he’s a good leader in the room and by example. If that guy is Sop, then fine.

This is a rebuilding season. I think it’ll be important to future leaders on this team to have had a top end captain to learn from. That’s part of the rebuilding process.

No disrespect to you or Sop, but I hope Sop isn’t given the C because he’s from Kitchener and it would be a great story.

Hey, they could pick the new coach because he was from Kitchener and.....

NOT.