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

[GeoBlue]

Yup. But your “leaving him in Ottawa” had me replying. If a deal for Henry is there, I’d take it.

Gotcha. But my post was mostly about if the Brz family was going to dictate things. I.E. if they want the brothers to play the whole year together then, um, "no" should be the answer. Hunter is gone this year and it's only a matter of when.

 

[EvenSteven]

Gotcha. But my post was mostly about if the Brz family was going to dictate things. I.E. if they want the brothers to play the whole year together then, um, "no" should be the answer. Hunter is gone this year and it's only a matter of when.

No doubt Hunter B has a NTC. Here’s a possible scenario:

Ottawa designates Henry as defected and he’s dealt to Kitchener.

The Brustewicz family is happy as the brothers are playing on the same team and a lot closer to home than Ottawa.

At the deadline, Hunter, with his NTC, only agrees to a trade to host city Saginaw the bonus being it’s very close to home.

The Brzustewicz family is happy all around. Hunter gets the opportunity to play in the Memorial Cup close to his hometown. Henry plays on the team the family is familiar with. The team who is the probable favourite to host the Memorial Cup in his 19 year old year.

The only negative aspect I can find with this scenario is that if Hunter will only waive his NTC to Saginaw, the Rangers may have to settle for a little less than they expected in return. The Jeremy Bracco deal could be an example of this. Though that eventually turned out to be a two part deal with Logan Stanley coming our way, initially, Ranger faithful were irate at the Bracco return.

Also, since we expect an Aiden Castle price for Henry, that means our 2nd in ‘24 (Erie) has to go the other way. The 2nd in the Castle deal was in the very next draft. If we’re paying 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, in all fairness, those picks can’t be all distant.

 

[rangersblues]

I notice a couple of posters on the Ottawa site talking Rehkopf. One penciling him into a line up. It's only hypothetical. If Henry Brzustewicz is determined to play in the OHL and wants to be here in KW what sort of deal do others think would go down? Rehkopf is an established player with potential to be one of the top forwards in the league with decent coaching and direction. Henry on the other hand is an unknown commodity not ranked as high as Rehkopf when he came into the league. How much is a Rehkopf worth to take HB off their hands? Rangers IMO should come out of this with the upper hand if they were to make this sort of deal going forward. Another question that begs to be asked is what if the Brzustewicz parents want them both sons playing in KW as part of a supposed deal?

It would be a rather complicated trade. (Correct me if I'm wrong in my understanding of trading first round picks.)

If it takes place in the September period for defected players, the deal can only involve draft picks. So it will have to be a 2 part deal.

The other option is Ottawa doesn't declare Henry B defected and the trade period is January.

I'm also hoping that the return for Rehkopf is much more than a player that's rated as 8th American Dman for his draft. Best to keep Rehkopf out of that deal imo.

 

[EvenSteven]

It would be a rather complicated trade. (Correct me if I'm wrong in my understanding of trading first round picks.)

If it takes place in the September period for defected players, the deal can only involve draft picks. So it will have to be a 2 part deal.

The other option is Ottawa doesn't declare Henry B defected and the trade period is January.

I'm also hoping that the return for Rehkopf is much more than a player that's rated as 8th American Dman for his draft. Best to keep Rehkopf out of that deal imo.

Looking at Ottawa’s available draft pick cupboard, IMO, they don’t have the assets to deal for 1.5 years of Rehkopf. They have 2x2nds and 3x3rds. Based on last year’s deadline deals, that’s at least what Rehkopf would bring at the ‘25 deadline.

We don’t have to deal him this year. So if Rehkopf is dealt this year, a ‘23 1st rounder has to come the other way. IMO, a player taken earlier than #22 in the draft.

There should be contending teams out there who may make their 16 year old 1sts available. Guelph, Kingston, Sudbury, Saginaw, and Missy are possibilities.

 

[K2]

Kitchener acquires Lucas Ellinas (C, 2006 2nd - 29th overall pick in 2022) from Barrie for a 4th in 2027.

Rangers acquire Ellinas in trade with Barrie - Kitchener Rangers %

In the trade, Kitchener acquires Barrie Colts prospect and forward Lucas Ellinas. In return, Kitchener trades their fourth-round pick in the 2027 OHL Priority Selection to Barrie.

chl.ca

 

[WorkHardEveryShift]

Meh...not the oomph I was looking for. Didn't play a game last year. Half a point a game in the OJ. Not sure he will be an impact player

 

[MVarley]

may help the 06 group???

 

[howlman]

may help the 06 group???

What other 06's in the system have a shot at cracking the roster?

 

[WorkHardEveryShift]

06 draft was a bust with all the kids staying in the US. Hopefully JB breaks through and then either pick up some more via the wire or focus on the 07s

 

[Jives]

Lucas has some upside. I really think this is a kid that will turn out to be good at 19 year old and be a solid OA option when the Rangers try to host the mem cup. I really like the trade for just a 4th rounder. Time will tell if he develops into a player that could be a good OA option. He was injured his last half of his draft season and still went 29th overall. I imagine if he wasn’t injured he would have been drafted earlier for sure.

 

[Habsrule]

I was hoping for more of a veteran depth player but a player is a player at this point.

I hope he plays a really strong two way game according to his scouting report.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

More on Luke Elinas here:

Player Profile - Luke Ellinas Prospects by Sports Illustrated

Leading his team in scoring for the past 4 years, Luke Ellinas is a scoring machine but also plays a very good 200 foot game. Luke can play all three forward positions as he’s versatile […]

sportsillustratedprospects.com

 

[EvenSteven]

Lucas has some upside. I really think this is a kid that will turn out to be good at 19 year old and be a solid OA option when the Rangers try to host the mem cup. I really like the trade for just a 4th rounder. Time will tell if he develops into a player that could be a good OA option. He was injured his last half of his draft season and still went 29th overall. I imagine if he wasn’t injured he would have been drafted earlier for sure.

Agree 100%. For the cost, no problem. Worst case, he washes out and we wasted a 4th.

But the upside is there and he’s still young.

 

[EvenSteven]

Meh...not the oomph I was looking for. Didn't play a game last year. Half a point a game in the OJ. Not sure he will be an impact player

After we move out veteran forwards, Martin, Sop, Rehkopf are candidates, we’ll need bodies to fill in up front. Better to go with a younger player with potential.

And based on his profile posted above, he has potential.

 

[Gondrex]

Agree 100%. For the cost, no problem. Worst case, he washes out and we wasted a 4th.

But the upside is there and he’s still young.

Yeah and I personally like the idea of starting now to address the '06 issue (lack of them). To repeat myself from a previous post (sorry) one would think the sooner it is addressed the less it costs down the road assuming you can get something that sticks out of all the irons that get put into the fire. Will he be the answer to one of 06's this team lacks? Won't know yet but it's a start, and if it flops, as ES mentioned, it costs a 4th.

 

[EvenSteven]

Yeah and I personally like the idea of starting now to address the '06 issue (lack of them). To repeat myself from a previous post (sorry) one would think the sooner it is addressed the less it costs down the road assuming you can get something that sticks out of all the irons that get put into the fire. Will he be the answer to one of 06's this team lacks? Won't know yet but it's a start, and if it flops, as ES mentioned, it costs a 4th.

I find it odd for a 2nd round pick in this league to not even play one regular season game in his rookie year.

He was signed and played ex games.
But no regular season games.
No call up during the 10 game window.

Seems like they shut the door on him after the exhibition season. Or he shut the door on the team.

It there a back story here?

 

[Tim Wallach]

I know he had an injury setback a while ago but his stats last year are very unimpressive

 

[dirty12]

I find it odd for a 2nd round pick in this league to not even play one regular season game in his rookie year.

He was signed and played ex games.
But no regular season games.
No call up during the 10 game window.

Seems like they shut the door on him after the exhibition season. Or he shut the door on the team.

It there a back story here?

Bringing in two imports, Stewart from Saginaw, Patterson from Flint, and probably wanting to bring in Forlin & Newton from the ‘22 draft; the Colts were sitting on a very difficult to manage 12 (2005-06) born forwards.

 

[Gondrex]

Bringing in two imports, Stewart from Saginaw, Patterson from Flint, and probably wanting to bring in Forlin & Newton from the ‘22 draft; the Colts were sitting on a very difficult to manage 12 (2005-06) born forwards.

Good info, and with that in mind, it looks like they had two 2nd round picks in 2022. Carter Lowe (32GP - 3G - 4A - 7PT) was picked 26th and Ellinas at 29th. For reference, Cole Longacre was picked at 31.

 

[OHL4Life]

I know he had an injury setback a while ago but his stats last year are very unimpressive

skating is a big issue. he works his bag off, skill is fine. he should be a decent depth player if hes healthy.

 

[bobber]

skating is a big issue. he works his bag off, skill is fine. he should be a decent depth player if hes healthy.

Thanks OHL4life. Depth players are just as important to a team as the players putting up all the points. Hopefully this fellow turns into a decent player for the Rangers. I don't like to see them waste a 4th round pick. Time will tell.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Meh...not the oomph I was looking for. Didn't play a game last year. Half a point a game in the OJ. Not sure he will be an impact player

I mean, it doesn't preclude another trade from happening. Week 06 group, you give up a 4th for a former 2nd rounder who had a solid OJHL season at 16. Can't find much to complain about, good risk-reward deal imo. Good size center with upside.

 

[Gondrex]

Thanks OHL4life. Depth players are just as important to a team as the players putting up all the points. Hopefully this fellow turns into a decent player for the Rangers. I don't like to see them waste a 4th round pick. Time will tell.

You do make a good point Bobber. Bringing up the Hlacar example once again, this trade seems to assume that they would get more value by acquiring a guy like Ellinas (giving up a 4th) as opposed to getting a player (Hlacar) for free. Have I got that right? Perhaps they could still find a place for Hlacar if he were to come to training camp and they were to determine he is worthy of a spot (?) I know that there are numerous combinations of possibilities at play here, including the potential releasing of (or perhaps trade...if they were lucky) an underperforming '04/'05 that might not make the cut.

 

[OHL4Life]

Thanks OHL4life. Depth players are just as important to a team as the players putting up all the points. Hopefully this fellow turns into a decent player for the Rangers. I don't like to see them waste a 4th round pick. Time will tell.

dont hate it, just will depend on his skating. he works his bag off. hes probably better then morey

You do make a good point Bobber. Bringing up the Hlacar example once again, this trade seems to assume that they would get more value by acquiring a guy like Ellinas (giving up a 4th) as opposed to getting a player (Hlacar) for free. Have I got that right? Perhaps they could still find a place for Hlacar if he were to come to training camp and they were to determine he is worthy of a spot (?) I know that there are numerous combinations of possibilities at play here, including the potential releasing of (or perhaps trade...if they were lucky) an underperforming '04/'05 that might not make the cut.

hlacar for sure interesting in going to main camp? some players go to different camps and pick the one they think they have the best shot at making. maybe he thinks he could make another team and is going there?

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I know he had an injury setback a while ago but his stats last year are very unimpressive

Just looking at the roster, the team looks like it was quite deep at C. They aren't impressive, but it also depends on his ice time, useage, role and type of player he is. If he's supposed to be an all offense guy, it's a bigger concern than if he's more of a 2 way guy with strong defensive ability. Either way a 4th doesn't seem like a big gamble, and we should be recouping a lot of picks this year.