Sop, Martin and Motew. 3 very good OAs imo.
Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Off-Season Thread (Part 5)
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Gondrex
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Viewed the first Blue / White game this morning. IMO aside from our two first rounders, there appeared to be a fairly big gap between vets and rookies / prospects.
In general, I'd felt both Runco and Ellinas both showed well in their first scrimmage. My first impression is that Ellinas plays a similar game to Sop but really quite early to say for sure - and I'm not suggesting that he would put up similar numbers.
Wished Hlacar would have shown more. Displaying your physical side is one thing, but not by constantly running around and going out of your way to do it....at least to me. In fairness, it appeared that he settled down a bit in the 3rd. I don't think I see him as one that is capable of keeping up at this level. Just me though. The staff could see things differently than me, and you do have to like his size.
Akimov had flashes, and scored a goal on a nice shot. He's got age against him though, and I'd still like to see him again to see if he actually is up to the pace.
I'm really not sure if there is a forward at camp that can take that spot that's up for grabs, and maybe they trade for a cheap alternative as I mentioned before. Still more scrimmages to be played though. So we'll see.
I didn't see Pugliese out there...unless I just missed him (?)
In general, I'd felt both Runco and Ellinas both showed well in their first scrimmage. My first impression is that Ellinas plays a similar game to Sop but really quite early to say for sure - and I'm not suggesting that he would put up similar numbers.
Wished Hlacar would have shown more. Displaying your physical side is one thing, but not by constantly running around and going out of your way to do it....at least to me. In fairness, it appeared that he settled down a bit in the 3rd. I don't think I see him as one that is capable of keeping up at this level. Just me though. The staff could see things differently than me, and you do have to like his size.
Akimov had flashes, and scored a goal on a nice shot. He's got age against him though, and I'd still like to see him again to see if he actually is up to the pace.
I'm really not sure if there is a forward at camp that can take that spot that's up for grabs, and maybe they trade for a cheap alternative as I mentioned before. Still more scrimmages to be played though. So we'll see.
I didn't see Pugliese out there...unless I just missed him (?)
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rangersblues
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Although it may seem like it at times, I doubt there are any coaches at any level that don't want this.
Some just don't know how to do it.
Rangers True Blue
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I don't know what happened between Ellinas and Hlacar but Hlacar didn't back off. Might have shown a bit too much grit (sadly lacking on the Rangers). Might have been better to push off and walk away. Later, Vin wanted a piece of Hlacar and while gloves were doffed, Hlacar did not pursue and Vin was sent off to the bench. I still think there's an upside to Hlacar. He can play and he's like a bumper car out there. He certainly would add the grit that's missing on the team.
No Pug.
Our two first rounders looked great out there (Reid and Romano). Ellinas was a little less energetic after the beat down. Didn't remind me of Sop at all. Stark was steady and Lam showed flashes of what's to come. I would say a better group of draftees than we've seen for a while.
This year, the whole coaching, scout, management team did NOT sit up in the far corner.
Ahokas was over one section with MM and I believe the assistant coaches.
Anyway, we'll see what the next two "games" show.....
No Pug.
Our two first rounders looked great out there (Reid and Romano). Ellinas was a little less energetic after the beat down. Didn't remind me of Sop at all. Stark was steady and Lam showed flashes of what's to come. I would say a better group of draftees than we've seen for a while.
This year, the whole coaching, scout, management team did NOT sit up in the far corner.
Ahokas was over one section with MM and I believe the assistant coaches.
Anyway, we'll see what the next two "games" show.....
EvenSteven
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So much so, that if we were in a contending year, I’d be happy standing pat with these three.
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LDN
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rangersblues
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Saw both scrimmages today and was not impressed with Hlacar at all. I didn’t see him at spring camp so he must have been a different player there with the type of hype he was getting on this board
I didn’t see much either in him. Only went to late game and I was excited to see him play after the talk on here about but I didn’t see anything out of him at says OHL player.
EvenSteven
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Saginaw has a ton of picks in the cupboard. Plus, they could move Aiden Young in January.
Henry B, who shouldn’t be too expensive, (he’s the 22nd pick after all), could make sense.
But I’d be surprised if Saginaw made that deal. And I’d be surprised if HB wanted a deal to Saginaw. The minutes just wouldn’t be there for a 16 year old this year.
EvenSteven
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If London is interested in the player, there’s no reason why they aren’t kicking tires. Kitchener may be the favourite based on HB saying openly he wanted to play in Kitchener, but London can outbid Kitchener.
HB could just accept a deal to London instead of Kitchener. A little closer to home. One of the top franchises in the country. Excellent record developing players.
There are worse places to play.
Normally I would agree however his hometown of Washington Michigan is only 1-1/2 hour drive and playing for Saginaw gets him ice time etc till June with them hosting the Mem Cup.
Would I be surprised he winds up in Saginaw yes but it could happen.
Watched the 7pm today - some observations below.
Misaljevic - great 1st period but kind of disappeared after to that. If he can bring it every shift he is my break out candidate of the year.
Romano - I see it - he will be solid. Couple good shifts for a 16 year old.
Akimov - he has a shot. Clearly outperformed Hlacer in the 2006 forward FA race.
Sop - little disappointed. I didn’t really notice him until the last 10 minutes of the game. Hopefully not a Serpa 2.0. I was expecting a lot of Serpa last year.
Ellinas - I didn’t even know he played.
Arquette - I liked him. Hopefully has a strong year wherever he plays this year and comes into camp next year ready to go.
Runco - made 1 horrible give away in front of his own net trying to be a little too cute but besides that I liked his game.
DiFelice - geez I hope that’s not a serious injury……Didn’t look good. But played well.
Lam - oh boy is he going to be special when he is 19.
Bottineau - was hoping for a little more.
Stark - made some really smart passes.
Hlacar - I didn’t see it. Not a fan.
Koukouves - A player I wasn’t trying to watch but he made some decent plays. Was surprised how many times I looked at my sheet saying who is that. Put up not good numbers last year and he is 18 years old so really 0.2% to make the team. He might of just played the best he can ever play in that game but plays that were not lucky so I’m a little confused at what I saw and what he did last year. Don’t know…but I liked him.
Rehkopf - was going about 80% effort and still looked solid.
Martin - made some really nice plays.
Reid - wow. He is going to be solid.
MacNeil - really played a sold game. If it wasn’t for the 4 max 16 year old rule he beats Scott out of a spot.
Scott - not a fan on using a spot for him as an 18 year old.
Terrance - I think has more upside than Scott and 17. Has a chance to be an OA mem cup year. Needs to be a little stronger but he really angles guys out while and made a bunch of good passes to get out of the dzone. We are looking for 2006s. I can see him making the team if we go 8 deep and then getting ice when Hunter and Motew are moved (who both looked solid).
Misaljevic - great 1st period but kind of disappeared after to that. If he can bring it every shift he is my break out candidate of the year.
Romano - I see it - he will be solid. Couple good shifts for a 16 year old.
Akimov - he has a shot. Clearly outperformed Hlacer in the 2006 forward FA race.
Sop - little disappointed. I didn’t really notice him until the last 10 minutes of the game. Hopefully not a Serpa 2.0. I was expecting a lot of Serpa last year.
Ellinas - I didn’t even know he played.
Arquette - I liked him. Hopefully has a strong year wherever he plays this year and comes into camp next year ready to go.
Runco - made 1 horrible give away in front of his own net trying to be a little too cute but besides that I liked his game.
DiFelice - geez I hope that’s not a serious injury……Didn’t look good. But played well.
Lam - oh boy is he going to be special when he is 19.
Bottineau - was hoping for a little more.
Stark - made some really smart passes.
Hlacar - I didn’t see it. Not a fan.
Koukouves - A player I wasn’t trying to watch but he made some decent plays. Was surprised how many times I looked at my sheet saying who is that. Put up not good numbers last year and he is 18 years old so really 0.2% to make the team. He might of just played the best he can ever play in that game but plays that were not lucky so I’m a little confused at what I saw and what he did last year. Don’t know…but I liked him.
Rehkopf - was going about 80% effort and still looked solid.
Martin - made some really nice plays.
Reid - wow. He is going to be solid.
MacNeil - really played a sold game. If it wasn’t for the 4 max 16 year old rule he beats Scott out of a spot.
Scott - not a fan on using a spot for him as an 18 year old.
Terrance - I think has more upside than Scott and 17. Has a chance to be an OA mem cup year. Needs to be a little stronger but he really angles guys out while and made a bunch of good passes to get out of the dzone. We are looking for 2006s. I can see him making the team if we go 8 deep and then getting ice when Hunter and Motew are moved (who both looked solid).
LDN
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I mentioned him (Akimov right?) above but thought he was a 2006. After looking at my sheet he is a 2005. The team really needs to add some 2006 talent.
11 locks
2 - 2003 - Martin and Sop
2 - 2004 - Misaljevic and Swick
2 - 2005 - Rehkopf and Mercer
2 - 2006 - Bottineau and Ellinas
3 - 2007 - Lam, Romano and Stark
Good chance
1 - 2004 - Pugliese (did he play anyone?)
So 12 locks pretty much. Players will be moved and they will take at least 13 forwards but probably 14. Morey I would think plays but I don’t see anything from him that a younger player can’t do. I think Akimov played well enough to get by first cuts and gets sone EX games for sure.
45 min to Windsor, 50 to Flint, 55 to Sarnia.
Windsor can trade Maillet & Peer for picks, then pick up mediocre OAs after camps dirt cheap.
Rangers True Blue
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Back to see "game 3" today. It will be interesting to see who the Rangers add to the team from camp....if anyone. We'll see who wants it this morning.
I remember when they signed Xhekaj and thought why did they take that guy? Will Terrance, Cenanovik, or for that matter, Schneider (2007) be picked up? Will Akimov, Hlacar, Thomakos, or Arquette get the nod?
This morning is a last gasp chance to impress for any of them who are being considered.
I remember when they signed Xhekaj and thought why did they take that guy? Will Terrance, Cenanovik, or for that matter, Schneider (2007) be picked up? Will Akimov, Hlacar, Thomakos, or Arquette get the nod?
This morning is a last gasp chance to impress for any of them who are being considered.
Gondrex
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Windsor just might make sense. It sounds like they would have an opening for him available on the backend, so could likely accommodate him. If it comes down to the offering of enough 2nd rounders and Kitchener comes up short, it would be a shame so many were wasted last season. Yeah, I know.....there's that hindsight thing.
Gondrex
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I felt Cameron Reid had a great 2nd scrimmage. Great with the puck, fluid skater and good decision-making. Reid was the 2nd D-man picked in this past draft. In comparison, if Matt Schaefer was the consensus #1 '07 at that position, then he must be one special back-ender.
For what its worth, it was good to see our top 4 '07's score goals in last night's game. Romano, to me looks like he could possibly be ready for regular shifts (3rd line ?) - especially considering how lean this team is up front.
The talent appears to be there for Lam and Stark. To me they showed well here and there too. I'm guessing 4th line duty this season. Hoping Lam obviously gets bigger and stronger over time. There have been "successful small guys" in this league before. No reason he couldn't be another.
On a different note, Pugliese was helping with goaltending drills prior to last night's game. Is he injured? I'd really like to see this guy play a whole season.
For what its worth, it was good to see our top 4 '07's score goals in last night's game. Romano, to me looks like he could possibly be ready for regular shifts (3rd line ?) - especially considering how lean this team is up front.
The talent appears to be there for Lam and Stark. To me they showed well here and there too. I'm guessing 4th line duty this season. Hoping Lam obviously gets bigger and stronger over time. There have been "successful small guys" in this league before. No reason he couldn't be another.
On a different note, Pugliese was helping with goaltending drills prior to last night's game. Is he injured? I'd really like to see this guy play a whole season.
Coaches Coroner
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This was my concern from the start. Big kid, physical, but still only playing U18AAA instead of Jr. B or Jr. A made me pretty suspicious that his skating/speed/mobility just might not be OHL calibre. Like sure he has grit and physicality, but I don't think taking a guy on for 1 trait is worthwhile if he can't keep up to use it well enough...and the game gets much faster in the regular season, and then again when all NHL prospects are returned to the league from their training camps.
I got the feeling the interest in him came from having bite, and the sense that we've lacked that, rather than him having legitimate OHL skill set.
Tim Wallach
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This is all fair. And I don't want to speak for any other posters, but I will say that my praise for Hlacar in spring camp was only to point out that he added an element out there and stood out in that context. But fully recognizing it was an extremely small sample size in a questionable environment. So I don't think there was so much hype (at least on my part) as a desire to get a longer look, which is happening now.
Coaches Coroner
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Yep. Glad he got the extra look. You don't know til you test them against more OHL calibre players. Just didn't personally have my hopes up (and granted I never laid eyes on him) based on what little info I could find. I hope the scouts continue to look for FAs like that, because you never know. Sometimes bad skating is somewhat fixable (to baseline OHL level) and a better look might give them a chance to inform him on what they think he can work on, maybe he comes back next year and can keep up. Who knows.
Also as long as he's not gooning it up and injuring guys in camp, it's never a bad thing to have a hungry physical guys to keep players "honest" and aware of their surroundings even in camp.
Tim Wallach
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Exactly. I was just happy that they were casting the net further and recognizing maybe some value in adding a physical/tough element. Granting these looks can unearth some gems (like Xhekaj) as long as they give all of them an honest chance rather than giving the inside track to kids with some familial links to the team.
Agree with your thoughts on Hlacar. I like the element he brings. He loves to hit, he'll stand up for his team mates and get in the face of the other team.
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