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

[EvenSteven]

Isn't there provisions to keep the 3rd import temporarily because Mesar was a first rounder?

The provisions (Mesar and Hamara being drafted players) allowed us to make two selections in the draft. But, I believe in order to ice one of the ‘23 drafted imports, we’d have to cut ties somehow with one of last year’s imports.

The reason for this rule (the Landeskog rule, if you will) in the first place is to allow teams to participate in the draft in the event they lose a drafted player to the pros.

Before the rule change, the Rangers couldn’t pick a player in the draft because they had to protect Landeskog in the event he didn’t make the Avs. Of course he made the Avs and the Ranger’s didn’t have an import in his place.

That caused Spott and others to petition the league for a change.

 

[rangersblues]

The provisions (Mesar and Hamara being drafted players) allowed us to make two selections in the draft. But, I believe in order to ice one of the ‘23 drafted imports, we’d have to cut ties somehow with one of last year’s imports.

The reason for this rule (the Landeskog rule, if you will) in the first place is to allow teams to participate in the draft in the event they lose a drafted player to the pros.

Before the rule change, the Rangers couldn’t pick a player in the draft because they had to protect Landeskog in the event he didn’t make the Avs. Of course he made the Avs and the Ranger’s didn’t have an import in his place.

That caused Spott and others to petition the league for a change.

I'm pretty sure in 2018 London put Kolyachonoc on waivers after one game when another import unexpectedly showed up. They couldn't trade him because of the rules and Flint picked him up. Don't recall the exact details.

 

[EvenSteven]

I think (hope) we could trade Mesar’s rights as he hasn’t played here this year yet. But if we’re trading his rights to make room for another import, it would be for peanuts. We’d be over a barrel.

We might do better keeping his rights and moving Hamara. May bring more in return. But again, we’d still be at a disadvantage I think.

 

[EvenSteven]

I'm pretty sure in 2018 London put Kolyachonoc on waivers after one game when another import unexpectedly showed up. They couldn't trade him because of the rules and Flint picked him up. Don't recall the exact details.

Yes. Kolyachonok. London had all three of Kolyachonok, Boqvist, and Guskov on the roster at the same time in September. Koly played one game then sat until he was waived on October 2.

So, could a team have three on their roster for a period of time before they trade / waive one? Or have rules changed?

It was rumoured at the time that London waived Koly in a cooked deal. It was said that London could have traded him elsewhere (likely taking a hit due to teams knowing they had to get rid of him), but offered to waive him for Flint to claim, IF Flint would take failed London 1st rounder Lucas Rowe off London’s hands.

That was a lopsided deal that had Flint sending 2x2nds and a 3rd to London for Rowe. Koly was waived and Rowe traded on the same day. Everyone was happy.

Not lopsided for a 17 year old former 1st rounder you might say?

Flint traded Rowe a little over a month later for a 12th rounder.

‘Nuff said.

 

[rangersblues]

Yes. Kolyachonok. London had all three of Kolyachonok, Boqvist, and Guskov on the roster at the same time in September. Koly played one game then sat until he was waived on October 2.

So, could a team have three on their roster for a period of time before they trade / waive one? Or have rules changed?

It was rumoured at the time that London waived Koly in a cooked deal. It was said that London could have traded him elsewhere (likely taking a hit due to teams knowing they had to get rid of him), but offered to waive him for Flint to claim, IF Flint would take failed London 1st rounder Lucas Rowe off London’s hands.

That was a lopsided deal that had Flint sending 2x2nds and a 3rd to London for Rowe. Koly was waived and Rowe traded on the same day. Everyone was happy.

Not lopsided for a 17 year old former 1st rounder you might say?

Flint traded Rowe a little over a month later for a 12th rounder.

‘Nuff said.

Yup. That's it. Thanks.

London couldn't trade Kolyachonoc. You can't trade imports their first season. I believe the way it worked was Flint was in last place and had first claim to the waiver. They preferred Koly over Gazinov. Rowe deal was then made to compensate the waiver.

Still unclear about how carrying the 3rd import. I think you can protect 3 if one is under a pro contract but only card 2.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

This comment is not nearly as logistical as any of these other ones but…

Let’s just hope the team finds a way to hold onto the rights for both Pobezal and Kiviharju

 

[EvenSteven]

I think you’re right on the Koly / Rowe thing.

I think we’re protecting four (Mesar, Hamara and the two ‘23 draftees) but can only card two.

 

[ohloutsider]

I think you’re right on the Koly / Rowe thing.

I think we’re protecting four (Mesar, Hamara and the two ‘23 draftees) but can only card two.

Once the 3rd import is returned the team has 2 weeks to make a trade or they have to put one of them on waivers after the 14 days.

And the rule has changed on first year imports. You can now trade them, if they agree to a trade and it is the same window for trades as the 1st rounders, 1st of January start.

 

[K2]

Flint traded Rowe a little over a month later for a 12th rounder.

‘Nuff said.

Flint was Baby Branch's own little greenbelt

 

[clord]

Can someone help me with the whole defected player rule? So Henry B is traded to the London Knights for two 2's and a 3. Ottawa went into the draft with a 2023 1 and left with a 2024 1 (one pick later than the 2023 pick), a 2025 2, a 2027 2 and a 2027 3. That's a pretty decent return for deferring your 1st round pick for a year.

Let's say two teams made a handshake agreement to pick each other's players then dissuade them from signing. Then they trade them to each other for similar packages and at the end of it they each get an extra first-round pick out of it.

This seems rife for abuse. Am I missing something?

 

[Tim Wallach]

Can someone help me with the whole defected player rule? So Henry B is traded to the London Knights for two 2's and a 3. Ottawa went into the draft with a 2023 1 and left with a 2024 1 (one pick later than the 2023 pick), a 2025 2, a 2027 2 and a 2027 3. That's a pretty decent return for deferring your 1st round pick for a year.

Let's say two teams made a handshake agreement to pick each other's players then dissuade them from signing. Then they trade them to each other for similar packages and at the end of it they each get an extra first-round pick out of it.

This seems rife for abuse. Am I missing something?

You are correct. The spirit of the rule was to allow disadvantaged markets to take chances on higher end kids, knowing they'd be compensated it the kid didn't report.

It's the execution of the rule where they botched it. It directly removes all risk for the two teams involved in the transaction and indirectly punished the other 18 who now all move down a draft slot the following year.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

From La Presse yesterday:
Mesar says "Kitchener was a good place to play," he said. We had good players, I made good friends, my host family took care of me... Not everything worked out for our team, but it was a great experience. Now I know what to expect. » While many Europeans say they need time to acclimatize to the ice rinks here, smaller than those found on the Old Continent, Mesar says he has not experienced any problems. After the rookie tournament and the Habs' training camp last fall, he had found his bearings, he says.

More from the article: Although the coaches told him at the team's recent development camp that they wanted him to now play "in a big league", he does not deny that the next step for him will likely be through the American League, with the Laval Rocket. I'm focusing on the main camp and then we'll see. I have to be well prepared.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

From La Presse yesterday:
Mesar says "Kitchener was a good place to play," he said. We had good players, I made good friends, my host family took care of me... Not everything worked out for our team, but it was a great experience. Now I know what to expect. » While many Europeans say they need time to acclimatize to the ice rinks here, smaller than those found on the Old Continent, Mesar says he has not experienced any problems. After the rookie tournament and the Habs' training camp last fall, he had found his bearings, he says.

More from the article: Although the coaches told him at the team's recent development camp that they wanted him to now play "in a big league", he does not deny that the next step for him will likely be through the American League, with the Laval Rocket. I'm focusing on the main camp and then we'll see. I have to be well prepared.

Good for him if he makes it. I'd disagree that he hasn't experienced any problems acclimatizing to NA ice, he didn't seem to fully have his bearings after the Habs training camp and for a lot of the season (despite glimpses of brilliance). Unless he had an incredible summer in the gym, I'm not sold on him being ready for the AHL in the kind of role he'd need to excel. He also thought he was ready last year, so I guess we'll see.

 

[EvenSteven]

Good for him if he makes it. I'd disagree that he hasn't experienced any problems acclimatizing to NA ice, he didn't seem to fully have his bearings after the Habs training camp and for a lot of the season (despite glimpses of brilliance). Unless he had an incredible summer in the gym, I'm not sold on him being ready for the AHL in the kind of role he'd need to excel. He also thought he was ready last year, so I guess we'll see.

Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he winds up back here eventually. Not only for the reasons you state, but based on many of the the eyes that have watched him at Montreal rookie camp since last season.

The consensus is that he shows occasional brilliance, then he goes unnoticed for long stretches. No where near NHL ready and unless things improve, likely a reach to play top six minutes in Laval.

 

[sbpointer]

I think you’re right on the Koly / Rowe thing.

I think we’re protecting four (Mesar, Hamara and the two ‘23 draftees) but can only card two.

Erie should be much improved this year and could be a home for Mesar if there is another player they could pay up some picks for. The risk being he'd have to make it past Niagara and I highly doubt anyone influencing his professional future wants anything to do with that..
( This is all based on the assumption that waivers are based on last years final standings until there are current standings this year)

 

[EvenSteven]

Erie should be much improved this year and could be a home for Mesar if there is another player they could pay up some picks for. The risk being he'd have to make it past Niagara and I highly doubt anyone influencing his professional future wants anything to do with that..
( This is all based on the assumption that waivers are based on last years final standings until there are current standings this year)

Looks like Hamara is our only import this year. So Mesar wouldn’t be waived.

 

[K2]

Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he winds up back here eventually. Not only for the reasons you state, but based on many of the the eyes that have watched him at Montreal rookie camp since last season.

If Mesar spent his Summer on task muscling up between the weight room, Joe Beef and sparring with the likes of the Xhekaj bros he might have a chance. Mature, hungry guys fighting for one last chance at earning a livelihood in hockey will be pretty punishing to a small 1st rounder in the AHL if FM's gained no ground in strength or confidence for physical play since last season where kids were easily knocking him off the puck & neutralizing his game.

 

[Matttheleaf]

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

www.youtube.com

Game is being streamed by the Bulldogs if anyone is interested in watching tonight.

 

[ZinErie]

Erie should be much improved this year and could be a home for Mesar if there is another player they could pay up some picks for. The risk being he'd have to make it past Niagara and I highly doubt anyone influencing his professional future wants anything to do with that..
( This is all based on the assumption that waivers are based on last years final standings until there are current standings this year)

Erie has 2 imports.

 

[TheBlueMonster]

Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he winds up back here eventually. Not only for the reasons you state, but based on many of the the eyes that have watched him at Montreal rookie camp since last season.

The consensus is that he shows occasional brilliance, then he goes unnoticed for long stretches. No where near NHL ready and unless things improve, likely a reach to play top six minutes in Laval.

Mesar wont be back.

It's not because he doesn't want to. Montreal wants to have more control over their top asset instead of sending him back to an organization that in the last 18 months or so made 4 coaching changes.

MM
Chris Dennis
MM again
Jussi


I think this new coach is going to do wonders for our program here in Kitchener, but I certainly don't blame the Habs for not wanting him here despite the previous regime being fully gone pretty much.

He can play bottom 6 minutes in the AHL, play on the power play and develop there.



On the other side, I hope everybody had a great summer. Been a long 4 or 5 months away from the boards here but happy to be back and chatting hockey with the finest fans in the tri cities!

It;s going to be a long season on east ave but there is a lot to be excited about for the future of this team.

 

[robertmac43]

It;s going to be a long season on east ave but there is a lot to be excited about for the future of this team.

It may not be a successful year but it will be fun to see the new group. Hopefully we develop this next generation properly and make a good run in 2026/7

 

[Rangers True Blue]

For those who attended or watched the exhibition game in Brantford last night, what happened in the 3rd period. Rangers seemed to be in control through 1 and 2 and were up 4-1 in the 3rd....then WHAMMO. A good lesson for the team that it's not over until it's over.

Curious to know how DeFelice fared....well...up to midway in the 3rd. And the team was only scored once on 7 penalties so the PK seemed to be clicking. In the shootout, Rangers went 2 for 3 vs Brantford's 3 for 3 so that was close. Did to know if the Rangers took their foot off the pedal in the last part of the 3rd?

 

[Gondrex]

For those who attended or watched the exhibition game in Brantford last night, what happened in the 3rd period. Rangers seemed to be in control through 1 and 2 and were up 4-1 in the 3rd....then WHAMMO. A good lesson for the team that it's not over until it's over.

Curious to know how DeFelice fared....well...up to midway in the 3rd. And the team was only scored once on 7 penalties so the PK seemed to be clicking. In the shootout, Rangers went 2 for 3 vs Brantford's 3 for 3 so that was close. Did to know if the Rangers took their foot off the pedal in the last part of the 3rd?

Bruzstewicz, Pugliese and MacNeil were scratches. Runco and Scott were in. While Runco seemed to struggle at times, I felt that Scott had a reasonably good game.

I believe only one OA (Sherk) played for the Bulldogs.

Rangers were strong out of the gate - were pressing steadily for the first 5 minutes. Overall I felt they generally had better puck possession for the first 50 minutes of the game until Brantford's (moreless) domination in the final 10.

DiFelice was quite solid, and was relied upon, for what seemed to be way too many times, in bailing out the team on odd-man rushes.

Brantford took the physical play to the Rangers. Big hits along the boards on Romano, Stark and Miseljevic, and open ice hit on Sop (just examples off the top of my head). Even Andonovski got put on his butt in a collision with opposing player.

The top 4 Ranger forwards (Martin, Sop, Swick and Rehkopf in particular) to me were the best 4 Ranger forwards as one would expect. Of the 07's, Romano seemed to be "a bit off the pace" and not very effective in this game. I actually thought Stark, and especially Lam (although he was -2) seemed to be more up to the speed and flow of the game.

Rangers could have won this one. To me the Bulldog's 2nd and 3rd goals a minute a part turned the tide though. On that 3rd goal, Motew, last man back, IMO carelessly coughed up the puck to Tsherna who quickly went in all alone beating DiFelice. That was a back-breaker. Good thing Motew scored a couple minutes earlier to make it 4-1 at that point.

Only the 2nd X-game, but what I gather so far is (just my opinion):

- It appears there will be that learning curve for the youngsters. Probably obvious, but I would say Reid is in OHL form already though.

- The team needs to be more defensively responsible - especially this season, and that includes forwards coming back to help out. I realize that it is early, and this area can be improved.

- I think goals are going to be hard to come by from those other than the top 4 I had mentioned.

- This team is going to be pushed around by the more physical teams in this league.

On the last two points, if Martin gets traded, I become even more concerned about those last two points.

Oh yeah, and I hate watching a game through netting. I take for granted way too much how nice it is to watch a game in the Aud.....not at the ends of the ice mind you

 

[Coaches Coroner]

If you trade Martin, I think acquiring a cheap, maybe not great overall, mean and tough OA would be relatively easy. This is a year where our toughness doesn't have to be able to play at a high level, just enough to hang and keep up so guys he goes after can't just skate away. Nastiness at the bottom of the lineup should be a focus for MM early, one that imo shouldn't be that hard to acquire.

 

[rangersblues]

I only watched the first half of the game on YouTube. It's worth watching Swick setting up Rehkopf's first goal on a beautiful end to end rush. If he progresses throughout the beginning of the year he could bring a monster return at the deadline.