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

[Coaches Coroner]

Well, hopefully, the "other factors" didn't lure an elite coach over here from Denmark....not to mention his family....to not allow him to do the job they hired him for. And I don't recall any of the past few coaches saying what the newest coach said...and has done with his past teams.


Thought the same. I hope "grit" means the same thing in Denmark as it does here.

He's not Danish and has never coached there.

Re: Hlacar I have no doubt he looked good in rookie camp and has grit, but I'm not sold that he's even an OHL player, playing U18AAA isn't the best sign given his age and size. Invite him to camp but he's gotten a lot more talk on here than his play probably warranted by virtue of having an element we seem to lack.

 

[Jives]

Its no secret Rangers 2022 draft was bad. This is the draft where players would be in their OA year when the mem cup is Ontario and the Rangers have made it clear they will bid for it. Right now we only have Bottieau and DiFelice for an option OA for the mem cup year. I haven't even seen him play but if Hlacar has some grit and talent then I think we have to give him ever chance to make the team. True he played U18 but as a 16 year old he lead that team in goal, points and PIM. He is 6'3" so has some really good size - needs to add some weight though. The goal isn't to win next year. I'd be more inclined to take some risks on some 2006 born kids then play Misaljevic, Mercer, Morey and Pugliese. These players won't be around when the mem cup bid year and the Rangers will try to win. Trade these players for whatever you can get for them (maybe play them for a month or two to bring up their value) and give some 2006 kids a chance to play.....lots of kids surprise and turn into solid OA's when they were really a nobody at the age of 15 and 16. We just had a 6'3" undrafted kid that struggled at 15 and 16 years old score 50 goals as a Ranger as a 19 year old (Yantsis). Next year is 100% the perfect year to take some risks on some 17 year old kids.

 

[Gondrex]

Definitely a fair point on the perhaps overdone hype on Hlacar. After all, at camp we're basically talking about prospects playing against prospects with Bottineau thrown in the mix. I do think though that a FA has a better shot this year in training camp than some others in the past - especially compared to last year, and especially considering the draft results from 2022.

I think that the one reason I personally bring up Hlacar is that he was the one who seemed to bring a decent mix of physicality and some offence. Aside from a couple of quite talented, but smallish D-men at that development camp, there wasn't really anyone else that consistently stood out (to my untrained eyes) than the obvious recently signed top-4 2007's.

If the staff feels they do need to find more grit (in light of the loss of Pinelli, and potentially Martin to trade), then they could go the trade route. Mind you that would come at a cost asset-wise. In the end I put a lot more faith in them deciding whether or not Hlacar is worthy than myself making that evaluation. But if he is, he'd be free, and he's a 2006 which would be a bonus. Anyway, we'll see what happens, or what doesn't happen come September.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I cant say much about this coach but at least he does have some great credentials and this was anything but a total flyer pick with fingers crossed. Not only did he check off all the boxes that MM checked off for Chris Dennis but it seems like there were volumes more credentials checked off that Dennis only dreams about having.
For an organization that always mentions they are a premier CHL franchise, they finally got away from talking the walk but now it seems like they are walking the talk.
Strange how lack of demand for season tickets and probably single game tickets may brought this change about.
For those who said those who complain and/or refuse to buy/renew season ticket are not real fans, would this coaching hire been done?? I suspect not!

 

[Rangers True Blue]

He's not Danish and has never coached there.

Re: Hlacar I have no doubt he looked good in rookie camp and has grit, but I'm not sold that he's even an OHL player, playing U18AAA isn't the best sign given his age and size. Invite him to camp but he's gotten a lot more talk on here than his play probably warranted by virtue of having an element we seem to lack.

Finland. Apologies.

 

[Squirrel88]

We seem to be assuming that Ahokas is indicating over physical play when he references 'grit'. Pure speculation on my part, but I wonder if he intends to convey things like courage, resolve, resiliency and spirit when he mentions grit.

Hearing a coach emphasize structure in his first press conference brings to mind clogged neutral zones and passive hockey. Not exactly riveting action. I guess with the lack of returning goals next year we should probably expect something like that regardless.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Per Josh Brown

The Finnish-ing touch

New Kitchener Rangers bench boss Jussi Ahokas brings junior, professional and international experience to the Aud.

www.therecord.com

Aron Kiviharju, a Rangers’ import pick, was also one of your players in Turku. Is he coming to the Aud?
“I don’t think so. He has a pro deal (in Finland). Maybe if something goes really wrong there … but I’m not counting on it.”

Not that Ahokas determines where players go, but I'll take his word.

Kiviharju's roster spot in stacked HIFK's sm liiga championship
title contender team is not a guarantee or even locked
it is not even 99,99% sure or likely it is everything else.

Kiviharju's role in HIFK most likely will be 7th or 8th dman
or rotation dman who's gonna be 1st call up for injuries and suspensions etc.

HIFK has already loaned Vegas Golden Knights
prospect Tuomas Uronen to Ottawa 67 OHL team
because HIFK didn't have free roster spot available for Uronen.

And i don't see any obstacle or reason why not same cannot happen to Kiviharju.
Keep in mind HIFK's goal next season is winning SM liiga championship title
not devedloping Aron Kiviharju to NHL player.

Winnipeg Jets decided loan Brad Lambert
to WHL's Seattle Thunferbirds after 2023 U20 WJC's.
And that's good example of that how things can change.

And if i read Ahokas interview corretcly
Kitchener Rangers training camp should start
somewhere mid / late august so lets wait and see what happens with Kiviharju.

HIFK is actively looking 1 experienced dman in free-agency market.
And if / when signing happens it will affect on Kiviharju and his
chances to get SM liiga minutes in HIFK next season.

I know chances for that Kiviharju plays in Kitchener Rangers next season are theoretical.
But everything can happen so never say never.

 

[Gondrex]

Thanks for all the info ChicagoBullsFan - much appreciated. Also, I personally don’t mind opposing views from Traffic Cone either. Speaking only for myself, both views are welcome. I know that at this point nobody really knows for sure how things will eventually pan out, but at least we’re not left in the dark on the things happening over there at the moment.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

With Rangers training camp coming up near the end of August, it's as good as time as ever to have a look at what openings are available.

Will Mesar be returned to the Rangers? That's a big maybe and would leave an opening.
Does Hollett stay on as a forward or is he moved back to D or is he even part of the equation?

With a rebuild year, there's more opportunity for the rookies. Will the coach consider a 4th line of Lam-Romano-Stark? What happens with Pug and Morey?

Possibility of signing McGurn or Hlacar? Or does Pobezal make the jump earlier than expected?

On defense, Brzustewicz, Andonovski. Hamara, Motew, Scott should be locks.
Newly drafted Reid and MacNiel are onboard.

Does Terrance get a look? Has Henry Brzustkewicz signed with Ottawa? I don't think so.

Longacre having second thoughts? He did not make the NDTP and as of yet has not committed to the NCAA.

Depending on how things shake out with his pro team, could Kiviharju see more ice time here?

Goalies...we already know it will be Parsons and Difelice with likely newly drafted Edwards as a 3rd.

Thoughts??

 

[Gondrex]

With Rangers training camp coming up near the end of August, it's as good as time as ever to have a look at what openings are available.

Will Mesar be returned to the Rangers? That's a big maybe and would leave an opening.
Does Hollett stay on as a forward or is he moved back to D or is he even part of the equation?

With a rebuild year, there's more opportunity for the rookies. Will the coach consider a 4th line of Lam-Romano-Stark? What happens with Pug and Morey?

Possibility of signing McGurn or Hlacar? Or does Pobezal make the jump earlier than expected?

On defense, Brzustewicz, Andonovski. Hamara, Motew, Scott should be locks.
Newly drafted Reid and MacNiel are onboard.

Does Terrance get a look? Has Henry Brzustkewicz signed with Ottawa? I don't think so.

Longacre having second thoughts? He did not make the NDTP and as of yet has not committed to the NCAA.

Depending on how things shake out with his pro team, could Kiviharju see more ice time here?

Goalies...we already know it will be Parsons and Difelice with likely newly drafted Edwards as a 3rd.

Thoughts??

Lots of good questions. Another one might be: which three out of four potential OA's will the Rangers keep this season?

Regarding Hollet, I think I may have put out my 2 cents previously that I'd like to see him up front with two other younger players, but I could certainly understand the argument for having him on defense - especially if one of the vets gets traded.

For me, I will also be interested in seeing what the #1 line will look like.
Also, how much PP time some of the rookies will get. One would think that rookies will be given plenty more opportunity in different situations this year compared to a lot of other years.

 

[Squirrel88]

With Rangers training camp coming up near the end of August, it's as good as time as ever to have a look at what openings are available.

Will Mesar be returned to the Rangers? That's a big maybe and would leave an opening.
Does Hollett stay on as a forward or is he moved back to D or is he even part of the equation?

With a rebuild year, there's more opportunity for the rookies. Will the coach consider a 4th line of Lam-Romano-Stark? What happens with Pug and Morey?

Possibility of signing McGurn or Hlacar? Or does Pobezal make the jump earlier than expected?

On defense, Brzustewicz, Andonovski. Hamara, Motew, Scott should be locks.
Newly drafted Reid and MacNiel are onboard.

Does Terrance get a look? Has Henry Brzustkewicz signed with Ottawa? I don't think so.

Longacre having second thoughts? He did not make the NDTP and as of yet has not committed to the NCAA.

Depending on how things shake out with his pro team, could Kiviharju see more ice time here?

Goalies...we already know it will be Parsons and Difelice with likely newly drafted Edwards as a 3rd.

Thoughts??

Love it. All great questions.

I think there are potentially 2 jobs open on forward (assuming no Mesar or Pob) and one on defence, so real possibility of signings like you suggest. Maybe this is the year Kitchener signs a player from the U18 draft.

I think a guy like Hollett has value in a year like this one is likely to be. You can play him up or back, don't really need to worry about his icetime and can bury him with defensive zone starts if you are trying to insulate your younger players a bit, especially early in the season. Runco also provides some depth and some flexibility in that they can trade Brz without needing to bring a defenceman back.

On Pug and Morey - right now they are playing in your bottom 6, mostly because there is no one else to play. By my count, if the import spot is open Rangers have 12 forwards signed (plus Hollett). Somebody's gotta play. Maybe Romano plays wing in the top 6 and gets some PP time, and Stark as the 4C with some PK (similar to Mercer a couple years ago).

One question I have for this year is where the goals are going to come from. It gets pretty bleak, especially if Martin is traded early. Can any of the '04 or '05 forwards take a big step in production? Do the Rangers give Swick, Pug and Missle plenty of PP time and opportunities in the top 6 prior to the trade deadline? That would give the rookie forwards some time to acclimatize to the league and perhaps result in a 'pump and dump' scenario if a contender is looking for third line depth or something. It wouldn't be a significant return, but all 3 aren't likely to be coming back anyway.

 

[Gondrex]

Squirrel88:
"....where the goals are going to come from. It gets pretty bleak, especially if Martin is traded early....."

That is a big question/concern, and makes me wonder whether or not Rehkopf gets held back from any potential trade this year (??)

On that subject, general question: Does trading open up starting Aug 1?

 

[EvenSteven]

With Rangers training camp coming up near the end of August, it's as good as time as ever to have a look at what openings are available.

Will Mesar be returned to the Rangers? That's a big maybe and would leave an opening.
Does Hollett stay on as a forward or is he moved back to D or is he even part of the equation?

With a rebuild year, there's more opportunity for the rookies. Will the coach consider a 4th line of Lam-Romano-Stark? What happens with Pug and Morey?

Possibility of signing McGurn or Hlacar? Or does Pobezal make the jump earlier than expected?

On defense, Brzustewicz, Andonovski. Hamara, Motew, Scott should be locks.
Newly drafted Reid and MacNiel are onboard.

Does Terrance get a look? Has Henry Brzustkewicz signed with Ottawa? I don't think so.

Longacre having second thoughts? He did not make the NDTP and as of yet has not committed to the NCAA.

Depending on how things shake out with his pro team, could Kiviharju see more ice time here?

Goalies...we already know it will be Parsons and Difelice with likely newly drafted Edwards as a 3rd.

Thoughts??

I listen to a podcast out of Montreal. The belief by scouts who’ve been on the show is that Mesar has a ceiling of third line NHLer based on his speed and puck handling ability. They point to his so-so season here last year and based on that, has shown that he doesn’t have the numbers that say “top 6 NHLer”. To me, as an ‘04, that should translate into another year in junior. But since he can play AHL this year, it’s been said that he’ll start the season there and likely stay there. They also said that he and Slavkofsky have already moved into an apartment together. For me, we shouldn’t count on him being returned here.

I leave Hollett up front. He seemed to be more effective there, he seemed to enjoy the move, and we need the jam up front.

I’m not a fan of three 16 year olds on the same line. But we may start out that way and hopefully one will separate himself from the others early on and find himself up the lineup. Could Stark be that guy?

For me, the next two years will be tough. So guys like Pugliese and Miseljevic are good vets to have around the young kids during a rebuild. They won’t hold value on the trade market so therefore, should be more valuable to us here, this year and next, filling roster spots. Good work ethic, etc etc.

Morey on the other hand? This camp will be make or break for him. But I’ve seen enough. I don’t think there’s any upside. I’d fill his roster spot with that Hlacar type addition.

Longacre? No NTDP? No commitment? No problem! Come to Kitchener! If he doesn’t commit anywhere, I can’t see him playing anywhere except the CHL if he has pro aspirations. As long as he’s still on good terms with the Rangers, this’ll be his best option.

Kiviharju would get top pairing minutes here, especially once Brzustewicz is moved. 22-25 minutes a night. That’d be a much more prominent role than being a 7-8 D with HIFK, if that’s where they have him slotted. I don’t expect him, but I think we can assume the odds of him coming would be a little less than Mesar last year?

I believe it’s already been confirmed that Pobezal will stay in Europe this year?

Until Henry B signs in Ottawa, he’ll be a possible defected player up to the September trade window.

Yes that looks like our defence to start the season. We’ll only see McNeil this year for 10 games, but he looks like a player going forward. The jury is out on Scott so far. But he has camp to show that he can be a player in this league.

 

[rangersblues]

I listen to a podcast out of Montreal. The belief by scouts who’ve been on the show is that Mesar has a ceiling of third line NHLer based on his speed and puck handling ability. They point to his so-so season here last year and based on that, has shown that he doesn’t have the numbers that say “top 6 NHLer”. To me, as an ‘04, that should translate into another year in junior. But since he can play AHL this year, it’s been said that he’ll start the season there and likely stay there. They also said that he and Slavkofsky have already moved into an apartment together. For me, we shouldn’t count on him being returned here.

I leave Hollett up front. He seemed to be more effective there, he seemed to enjoy the move, and we need the jam up front.

I’m not a fan of three 16 year olds on the same line. But we may start out that way and hopefully one will separate himself from the others early on and find himself up the lineup. Could Stark be that guy?

For me, the next two years will be tough. So guys like Pugliese and Miseljevic are good vets to have around the young kids during a rebuild. They won’t hold value on the trade market so therefore, should be more valuable to us here, this year and next, filling roster spots. Good work ethic, etc etc.

Morey on the other hand? This camp will be make or break for him. But I’ve seen enough. I don’t think there’s any upside. I’d fill his roster spot with that Hlacar type addition.

Longacre? No NTDP? No commitment? No problem! Come to Kitchener! If he doesn’t commit anywhere, I can’t see him playing anywhere except the CHL if he has pro aspirations. As long as he’s still on good terms with the Rangers, this’ll be his best option.

Kiviharju would get top pairing minutes here, especially once Brzustewicz is moved. 22-25 minutes a night. That’d be a much more prominent role than being a 7-8 D with HIFK, if that’s where they have him slotted. I don’t expect him, but I think we can assume the odds of him coming would be a little less than Mesar last year?

I believe it’s already been confirmed that Pobezal will stay in Europe this year?

Until Henry B signs in Ottawa, he’ll be a possible defected player up to the September trade window.

Yes that looks like our defence to start the season. We’ll only see McNeil this year for 10 games, but he looks like a player going forward. The jury is out on Scott so far. But he has camp to show that he can be a player in this league.

Regarding Mesar - If I was putting together an NHL team (with admittedly my lack of knowledge) Mesar is the exact kind of player I wouldn't want on my 3rd or 4th line. I want all 6 of those guys to be tough to play against and have a lot of grit. All qualities Mesar hasn't shown as yet.

 

[Gondrex]

On the subject of players like Mercer, Pugliese and Miseljevic, they're not high-end players, but it was still disappointing to see them take a step backwards in their respective PPG last year compared to their respective rookie seasons. I know we can't count on everyone to make strides like Sop did in '22-'23, however it's guys like these that this team needs to chip in with some meaningful offence this year. I'll even throw Bottineau in there as far as expectations go, and of course Morey if he were to make the cut.

 

[EvenSteven]

Regarding Mesar - If I was putting together an NHL team (with admittedly my lack of knowledge) Mesar is the exact kind of player I wouldn't want on my 3rd or 4th line. I want all 6 of those guys to be tough to play against and have a lot of grit. All qualities Mesar hasn't shown as yet.

I agree. But I think what they are saying is they can’t see him as a top six forward. Therefore, unless he improves his game, to become a top six player, or adds the qualities you mentioned, he may find himself a career top liner in the A, or back playing in Europe permanently.

Another reason he should be in junior next year really. To develop his game to improve to the level where he can be a top six player in the show.

He didn’t dominate at this level so I don’t see where he is “too good” for this league, to be playing in the AHL as an underager.

Jeremy Morin anyone?

Where did his career go after playing in the AHL as an underager?

 

[Habsrule]

My attempt at the line;


Sop - Rehkopf - Martin
Swick - Mercer - Misaljevic
Morey - Bottineau - Lam
Pugliese - Romano - Hlacar
Stark



Brzustewicz - Andonovski
Motew - Reid
Scott - Hamara
Runco


Parsons
DiFilice


Top line will get a lot of playing time. They will run the offence.

Second line is rough for a second line but it is a rebuilding year. I’d much prefer an upgrade on Mercer as second line centre but it is the hand the Rangers are dealt with. Misaljevic is the best of the 19 year olds and gets second line duty. On a side note he is my guess for breakout player who really ups their production.

I’ll lump the bottom six into one point. Bottineau played centre down the stretch and the playoffs last year so I picked him as the third line centre. I am figuring Romano is the much better player long term but he will start the year off centring the fourth line. I’d even be ok with having Romano play the wing if he can be a mainstay on the third line. I feel like Morey and Bottineau should be split up and one plays third and one plays fourth line. I don’t want the fourth line to be an all rookie line. I want someone with some OHL experience on that line. The wingers are all interchangeable.


Brzustewicz - Andonovski will be the shut down line. They played a lot together last year and played well. They will get heavy minutes.

Motew - Reid would be a fun pairing. Motew is really solid defensively and could help Reid come along. I am very tempted to bump Reid to the third pair and put Hamara with Motew. Problem is I don’t want an all rookie third pairing.


Scott - Hamara will not really play as much. Well Scott at least. I think the defence will be more of a five man rotation with Scott being the off man out and getting random shifts here and there.

The goaltending is what it is. If Parsons can be the Parsons the eliminated London then he can steal games. The jury is still out on DiFilice.



Mesar I am pretty positive will be playing in Laval. It sounds like that is Montreal’s plan at least. Unless he is awful there I can’t see him coming back to Kitchener.

Longacre I believe has a shot at playing in the OHL. It really all depends upon where he plays this year and how much ice time he could get. I think Kitchener is not his number one option in his head but Kitchener may be the best place for him to play to showcase himself in his draft year.

Kiviharju I really can’t see coming. Stranger things have happened before but how often do absolute top tier draft prospects from Finland (or Sweden) come to the CHL to play. Yes Landeskog did for Kitchener.

Hollett is the odd man out. I would love to see him in a bottom six power forward role but Martin, Sop and Motew are all significantly better than him and he would be the fourth overager. Now if one of them are traded at the start of the season he will play.

McNeil sounds like he will get 10 games this year. I’m not listing him because I’d rather he be injury backup as opposed to burning his 10 games right away.

Second import spot is not filled if Mesar plays pro. Just wait and see how the rest of the league shakes out. There may be a team or two that have three playable imports but need to cut one. He could be a sneaky pickup for the Rangers for super cheap.

Hlacar brings an element that no one else does. As long as he looks decent at camp then have him make the team.

The Rangers need more depth. That is unless some 17 year old rookies make it who were later round picks last year. I would see how other teams look and see if anyone has some dead weight. What I mean is see if any team has a 19 year old that is just blocking the way for a younger player. Think of a Pugliese or Morey. Some teams would rather play their younger kids over some 19 year olds who really doesn’t move the needle. They could be picked up for a later round draft pick.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I agree. But I think what they are saying is they can’t see him as a top six forward. Therefore, unless he improves his game, to become a top six player, or adds the qualities you mentioned, he may find himself a career top liner in the A, or back playing in Europe permanently.

Another reason he should be in junior next year really. To develop his game to improve to the level where he can be a top six player in the show.

He didn’t dominate at this level so I don’t see where he is “too good” for this league, to be playing in the AHL as an underager.

Jeremy Morin anyone?

Where did his career go after playing in the AHL as an underager?

BOOM,,,,,,,,,,,yup......could have left him with the Rangers but didn't have to....and didn't. Too much too soon for Morin.

 

[GeoBlue]

BOOM,,,,,,,,,,,yup......could have left him with the Rangers but didn't have to....and didn't. Too much too soon for Morin.

Same can be said about Sebrango. Would have benefited much more with another year of Junior.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Same can be said about Sebrango. Would have benefited much more with another year of Junior.

Perhaps if Mesar starts the season in Laval, it could be Montreal wants to see how the Rangers new coach and staff are doing here re developing players?
There's no rush on Montreals part to assign him here.

 

[Tim Wallach]

A few responses to the good string of posts above:

- First on Mesar. Clearly here we have a case of some ego. It's a kid who thinks he has earned more than he has and is doing himself harm by downplaying what junior can do for him and taking it as an insult that he was assigned here last year. The truth is he is nowhere near AHL-ready, but the combination of him being adamant he wants to be there and Kitchener being a colossal s-show last year for coaching and development has let Montreal siding with Mesar. For now. Don't be shocked if that changes by Christmas. They won't be ready to give up on a 1st rounder from 2022 and let him languish on the bench, which seems inevitable when I look at Laval's roster.

Posters already pointed out a number of great examples of kids being "too good" for junior who ended up essentially busting. I know injuries and other factors came in to play for both, but I would add Devereaux and Boedker to that list as well. Both CLEARLY could have used more offensive seasoning in junior as 19 year olds, but got poor direction from their NHL masters. In Mesar's case, the poor direction is all from between his ears as I firmly believe the Habs would send him back for another year if he weren't being so stubborn.

- On the Rangers' lineup this year, as one of the people who advocated for Hlacar, I should note that I realize he played U18 and isn't a saviour. But I honestly saw more impactful signs from him at development camp than 95% of the players there. He clearly fits a need and has some ability as well. With all due respect to the Kyle Moreys of the world, I just don't understand how such a vanilla player possibly adds more to the lineup than a kid like Hlacar (or similar)? McKenzie's biggest failing in my opinion is his inability to add different elements to the depth of the lineup. His depth players this past year were all just slower, less dynamic facsimiles of his top players. That is not a recipe for success and I hope he is learning that as he goes as well.

 

[EvenSteven]

A few responses to the good string of posts above:

- First on Mesar. Clearly here we have a case of some ego. It's a kid who thinks he has earned more than he has and is doing himself harm by downplaying what junior can do for him and taking it as an insult that he was assigned here last year. The truth is he is nowhere near AHL-ready, but the combination of him being adamant he wants to be there and Kitchener being a colossal s-show last year for coaching and development has let Montreal siding with Mesar. For now. Don't be shocked if that changes by Christmas. They won't be ready to give up on a 1st rounder from 2022 and let him languish on the bench, which seems inevitable when I look at Laval's roster.

Posters already pointed out a number of great examples of kids being "too good" for junior who ended up essentially busting. I know injuries and other factors came in to play for both, but I would add Devereaux and Boedker to that list as well. Both CLEARLY could have used more offensive seasoning in junior as 19 year olds, but got poor direction from their NHL masters. In Mesar's case, the poor direction is all from between his ears as I firmly believe the Habs would send him back for another year if he weren't being so stubborn.

- On the Rangers' lineup this year, as one of the people who advocated for Hlacar, I should note that I realize he played U18 and isn't a saviour. But I honestly saw more impactful signs from him at development camp than 95% of the players there. He clearly fits a need and has some ability as well. With all due respect to the Kyle Moreys of the world, I just don't understand how such a vanilla player possibly adds more to the lineup than a kid like Hlacar (or similar)? McKenzie's biggest failing in my opinion is his inability to add different elements to the depth of the lineup. His depth players this past year were all just slower, less dynamic facsimiles of his top players. That is not a recipe for success and I hope he is learning that as he goes as well.

Agree totally on Boedker and Deveraux. I actually had a post typed up on Boedker but erased it because it was the NHL instead of the AHL that he graduated early to.

To make matters worse on Devereaux, the minute Kitchener was eliminated from the playoffs in Owen Sound, he was demoted to the AHL. He sat in the Oiler press box much of the year. I’ll never forget Glen Sather saying that if the Rangers won game six against Owen Sound, he would send Devereaux back to play game seven. Rangers lost game six, were eliminated, and the rest is history.

Another name from the past may have had his career ruined because of an early graduation is Brian Wilks. He sat in the Los Angeles pressbox for much of his 19 year old season as well. His career in the show went nowhere. He should’ve been playing his 19-year-old season in Kitchener.

 

[Gondrex]

- On the Rangers' lineup this year, as one of the people who advocated for Hlacar, I should note that I realize he played U18 and isn't a saviour. But I honestly saw more impactful signs from him at development camp than 95% of the players there. He clearly fits a need and has some ability as well.

From the 2022 draft, McGurn may (arguably of course) be the only forward from that group that has a shot at making the club. I believe he started out with Nepean in the CJHL but also went to the U18 level for the rest of the season after only 4 games. I'm not sure how good that level is or isn't but if he doesn't make it, I'm not so sure there are many other options for additional roster spots up front other than perhaps a FA (or two ?)....or as I mentioned before - maybe a trade.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Agree totally on Boedker and Deveraux. I actually had a post typed up on Boedker but erased it because it was the NHL instead of the AHL that he graduated early to.

To make matters worse on Devereaux, the minute Kitchener was eliminated from the playoffs in Owen Sound, he was demoted to the AHL. He sat in the Oiler press box much of the year. I’ll never forget Glen Sather saying that if the Rangers won game six against Owen Sound, he would send Devereaux back to play game seven. Rangers lost game six, were eliminated, and the rest is history.

Another name from the past may have had his career ruined because of an early graduation is Brian Wilks. He sat in the Los Angeles pressbox for much of his 19 year old season as well. His career in the show went nowhere. He should’ve been playing his 19-year-old season in Kitchener.

Beat me to the punch on Wilks. His 18 yr old season was ok, nothing outstanding to warrant being in the NHL.
Here's another example of maybe a career be stunted by inconsistent playing in the NHL and being sent back and forth.... John Tucker. He may have been the most offensively gifted player the Rangers ever had.

 

[EvenSteven]

Lots of good questions. Another one might be: which three out of four potential OA's will the Rangers keep this season?

On the OA’s, I’d like nothing better than to be able to move all of Martin, Motew and Sop for value. We need the assets! All three would be very good OA’s on an “all in” team.

But I’m dreaming if I think we’d be successful in moving all three.

For me, if we can move two for value, go with Hollett as an OA, and take an OA back in a deal for one of our OA’s, (Xhekaj / Mutter, or Moore / Serpa scenario) I’d be happy.