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

[nelli27]

Starting to get a buzz about the way the Rangers are going! Who needs those marijuana gummies now? I'm up for the cup!

May I please have the gummies you no longer need?

 

[EvenSteven]

Looks like the Rangers have just hired their replacement for Ahokas when he moves on in a few seasons.

Or McKenzie.

 

[rangersblues]

Or McKenzie.

I suppose. Although the reason for Associate GM was likely to make it a lateral move.

I think at this point McKenzie has a lot more to prove to get to the next level than Ahokas. He hasn't excelled as a GM and doesn't appear to want the coaching route.

 

[EvenSteven]

I suppose. Although the reason for Associate GM was likely to make it a lateral move.

I think at this point McKenzie has a lot more to prove to get to the next level than Ahokas. He hasn't excelled as a GM and doesn't appear to want the coaching route.

Has he done any less than Kyle Dubas at this level? Just asking.

By the time the 26-27 season is over with, MM may have put himself on the radar of more than one pro team. Maybe.

 

[rangersblues]

Has he done any less than Kyle Dubas at this level? Just asking.

By the time the 26-27 season is over with, MM may have put himself on the radar of more than one pro team. Maybe.

I would say yes Dubas had been much more successful so far.. In 3 years Dubas turned around a floundering team that missed the playoffs in 2 of the previous 4 seasons and had a 109-76-7-12 record. His only coaching hire was successful. He left the franchise in much better shape than he found it.

I can't say the same about McKenzie. He's built 2 semi- contenders through trades so far during his tenure. His coaching hires have ranged from moderate success to being disasters so far. Player development - disappointing for the most part.

McKenzie might be on the radar for an NHL position but mostly due to the family name. He hasn't done a horrible job, but I wouldn't say anything outstanding - yet.

 

[bobber]

I would say yes Dubas had been much more successful so far.. In 3 years Dubas turned around a floundering team that missed the playoffs in 2 of the previous 4 seasons and had a 109-76-7-12 record. His only coaching hire was successful. He left the franchise in much better shape than he found it.

I can't say the same about McKenzie. He's built 2 semi- contenders through trades so far during his tenure. His coaching hires have ranged from moderate success to being disasters so far. Player development - disappointing for the most part.

McKenzie might be on the radar for an NHL position but mostly due to the family name. He hasn't done a horrible job, but I wouldn't say anything outstanding - yet.

I think the pros will look at MM hiring Chris Dennis as a head coach and start to ponder if they belonged to the same Video Coach Fraternity. I highly doubt we will ever see MM being a GM or coach in the NHL. A pro team would really need to be hard up to go in this direction IMO.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Hopefully, Ahokas had some input on this but on the surface, Kyrzakos adds a much higher one-two punch (Jussi and Jeff) for Rangers coaching. Back in 2005 when Kyrzakos joined Owen Sound: “Jeff is a high energy player that loves to play the body,” said Attack general manager Michael Futa. “He plays with a lot of character and his intensity level will fit well into our style of play.”

Of course, that was then and much has changed but "energy", "character", and "intensity" are fine traits for any player and should fit nicely into Ahokas' no-nonsense, never-out-of-it, always accountable style of play.

Camp is only a few weeks away. Looking forward to the start of the rebuild.

 

[bobber]

Hopefully, Ahokas had some input on this but on the surface, Kyrzakos adds a much higher one-two punch (Jussi and Jeff) for Rangers coaching. Back in 2005 when Kyrzakos joined Owen Sound: “Jeff is a high energy player that loves to play the body,” said Attack general manager Michael Futa. “He plays with a lot of character and his intensity level will fit well into our style of play.”

Of course, that was then and much has changed but "energy", "character", and "intensity" are fine traits for any player and should fit nicely into Ahokas' no-nonsense, never-out-of-it, always accountable style of play.

Camp is only a few weeks away. Looking forward to the start of the rebuild.

Are Ranger fans looking at a new paradigm? Seems like it by these hirings. Flip the switch to more gritty hockey at the Aud? As Howie Mandell says in that Staples commercial "Let's find out"! Rangers have been far too soft for quite some time on the home ice. Hopefully the powers that be want to change direction.

 

[K2]

Hmmm, Dennis Wideman is now missing from the Rangers Hockey Ops directory...?

 

[OHL4Life]

Looks like the Rangers have just hired their replacement for Ahokas when he moves on in a few seasons.

id be careful about that

Or McKenzie.

id really be careful about that.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Hmmm, Dennis Wideman is now missing from the Rangers Hockey Ops directory...?

View attachment 734781

Cleaning house it seems because Wideman was listed prior to Kyrzakos signing. Hmmmmm.....
Another coaching announcement forthcoming?

 

[Rangers True Blue]

News out of Ottawa from the 67s:
Ottawa’s first-round pick Henry Brzustewicz remains unsigned, but Boyd continues to search for the right solution.
“We’re still working with Brzustewicz,” Boyd said. “We’re talking with his agent and seeing where he fits in with our group, but we have seven capable defencemen returning, so those discussions continue.”

Ice time an issue? A trade forthcoming?

 

[Gondrex]

The 67’s really nailed it in the 2022 draft getting both d-men Mews and Marrelli in round one. To somehow manage to get the potential of 07 Brzustewicz in their lineup would be impressive to say the least. Will be interesting to see how Ottawa management handles this situation. As a high pick you obviously want minutes. As many speculated here last year, maybe this sort of thing played into Longacre’s decision.

 

[Jives]

Hopefully MM has reached out to see what the asking price is. Need to keep adding kids from the 2023 draft.

 

[EvenSteven]

Hopefully MM has reached out to see what the asking price is. Need to keep adding kids from the 2023 draft.

Ottawa had great success declaring Moldenhauer defective. Sure they’d like to sign Henry B, but I doubt they’d lose sleep declaring him defective since they have a ton of returning D.

The probable return for a 22nd overall defective 1st rounder should be 13th overall Aiden Castle return. (2nd. 3rd. 2x4ths). Rangers can do that deal today even with our thin cupboard.

I know we need to restock the cupboard, but Henry B would add to our already deep 2007 group and have in even better shape when that group is in their 3rd and 4th years here. Theoretically, that would be one less rental we’d be trading for at the 2027 deadline.

4 years of Henry B at the above cost beats the cost of a high end rental at that deadline. Note the prices we paid for Zhilkin and Arcuri.

 

[bobber]

Cleaning house it seems because Wideman was listed prior to Kyrzakos signing. Hmmmmm.....
Another coaching announcement forthcoming?

Defense wins championships. A GM should always be on top of this issue. If it's not up to snuff make the appropriate changes. I don't think Ranger fans were satisfied with our D the last couple of years. To be kind it was mediocre IMO.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

Ottawa had great success declaring Moldenhauer defective. Sure they’d like to sign Henry B, but I doubt they’d lose sleep declaring him defective since they have a ton of returning D.

The probable return for a 22nd overall defective 1st rounder should be 13th overall Aiden Castle return. (2nd. 3rd. 2x4ths). Rangers can do that deal today even with our thin cupboard.

I know we need to restock the cupboard, but Henry B would add to our already deep 2007 group and have in even better shape when that group is in their 3rd and 4th years here. Theoretically, that would be one less rental we’d be trading for at the 2027 deadline.

4 years of Henry B at the above cost beats the cost of a high end rental at that deadline. Note the prices we paid for Zhilkin and Arcuri.

If that is the potential cost for a player like Brzustewicz then I hope McKenzie is all over that to continue building that 2007-born core of players.

Only hope would be that Kitchener finds a different 2nd round pick to trade besides Erie's 24th since that is likely going to be a higher pick again this year and would be great to keep that.

 

[EvenSteven]

If that is the potential cost for a player like Brzustewicz then I hope McKenzie is all over that to continue building that 2007-born core of players.

Only hope would be that Kitchener finds a different 2nd round pick to trade besides Erie's 24th since that is likely going to be a higher pick again this year and would be great to keep that.

Agree on that pick.

If we’re hosting in 26-27, we’ll need more than a strong 07 group. Our 08’s will have to be big contributors as well. Our weak 04 group last year was a big reason MM felt he had to trade his way into contention.

That ‘24 2nd (Erie) should be a big part of that 08 group.

If there is a Henry B deal in the cards, I’d be trying to move piece(s) now to acquire another 2nd to include in that deal.

 

[OHL4Life]

Agree on that pick.

If we’re hosting in 26-27, we’ll need more than a strong 07 group. Our 08’s will have to be big contributors as well. Our weak 04 group last year was a big reason MM felt he had to trade his way into contention.

That ‘24 2nd (Erie) should be a big part of that 08 group.

If there is a Henry B deal in the cards, I’d be trying to move piece(s) now to acquire another 2nd to include in that deal.

no inside info but wouldnt be surprised if they figure out a way to get rehkof to ottawa as part of it

 

[Jives]

Brother for brother trade? Has it happened in the OHL ever?

 

[Gondrex]

Agree on that pick.

If we’re hosting in 26-27, we’ll need more than a strong 07 group. Our 08’s will have to be big contributors as well. Our weak 04 group last year was a big reason MM felt he had to trade his way into contention.

That ‘24 2nd (Erie) should be a big part of that 08 group.

If there is a Henry B deal in the cards, I’d be trying to move piece(s) now to acquire another 2nd to include in that deal.

Agreed. The Rangers badly need to have two very good drafts in a row - especially in this case as you‘ve mentioned above. Trading for pieces to fill in gaps is lot more efficient than attempting the manufacture of a contender as we had witnessed last year…which ultimately leads to the dreaded boom/bust cycle that has happened.

And then somewhere along the line some strong 06 OA candidates will be needed.

 

[EvenSteven]

no inside info but wouldnt be surprised if they figure out a way to get rehkof to ottawa as part of it

As I mentioned on the Ottawa board, I think the Rangers do better to move Rehkopf in a stand alone deal for another team’s 2023 1st rounder if he’s to be moved this year.

If the return I mentioned for Henry B is the actual cost, I’d rather pay that in September, then move Rehkopf in January to a team like Saginaw or Sudbury - teams with lots of high picks available to be moved and who may be open to move their 1st rounder as well, in an Owen Beck type deal.

 

[Gondrex]

As I mentioned on the Ottawa board, I think the Rangers do better to move Rehkopf in a stand alone deal for another team’s 2023 1st rounder if he’s to be moved this year.

If the return I mentioned for Henry B is the actual cost, I’d rather pay that in September, then move Rehkopf in January to a team like Saginaw or Sudbury - teams with lots of high picks available to be moved and who may be open to move their 1st rounder as well, in an Owen Beck type deal.

Interesting thought. If things played out as you outlined EvenSteven, it sounds like you would be after another high-end 07 (?). Would you consider a high-end 06? Assuming all 07’s manage to meet expectations this team would have Romano, Reid, Lam, Stark, MacNiel, Brzustewicz (assuming the mentioned trade). I suppose it doesn’t necessarily mean you would see all of these players on the team by the time they’re 19 years old.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

As I mentioned on the Ottawa board, I think the Rangers do better to move Rehkopf in a stand alone deal for another team’s 2023 1st rounder if he’s to be moved this year.

If the return I mentioned for Henry B is the actual cost, I’d rather pay that in September, then move Rehkopf in January to a team like Saginaw or Sudbury - teams with lots of high picks available to be moved and who may be open to move their 1st rounder as well, in an Owen Beck type deal.

I’m definitely still in the club on potentially holding off on trading Rehkopf until the 2024-25 barring some kind of gross overpayment from another team that want 1.5 years of his service (Hello Owen Sound or Oshawa).

Having him through this season lets him take the 1C roll for the entire season and lets him be “that guy” for the Rangers.

It also helps the younger roster have at least a fighting chance at putting pucks in the net for the entire season.

 

[EvenSteven]

I’m definitely still in the club on potentially holding off on trading Rehkopf until the 2024-25 barring some kind of gross overpayment from another team that want 1.5 years of his service (Hello Owen Sound or Oshawa).

Having him through this season lets him take the 1C roll for the entire season and lets him be “that guy” for the Rangers.

It also helps the younger roster have at least a fighting chance at putting pucks in the net for the entire season.

Which is why I don’t move him this year unless it’s for a pretty good 07 first rounder. Depending on the strength of that first rounder, I’d want significant picks as well. I’d love to see him go to Sudbury where the primary return is Caden Taylor plus those two 2nds in ‘24 they have (Kit, Nia).

Adding a high-end 06 does not help us out in 26–27. To be honest, if it was a high-end 06 or bust, I may just take a basket of picks. That way, I may be able to strengthen further our 08 group