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

[EvenSteven]

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.

Like when we moved out top end quality in Xhekaj and brought in veteran toughness in bottom six type player Mutter.

My Martin suggestion to Sudbury with Tourre coming our way was with this in mind.

Which is why a guy like Hollett had value here in this, a rebuilding year.

 

[RangerNation]

I am slowly getting out of summer hibernation. Excited to be in the rink at the end of this month. Not expecting a lot from this team, but I would love some fight. I am horrible with dates, but one of the seasons after the 2010 run, I counted like 8 or 9 comeback wins at home that were so fun to witness. I don't beleive they made the playoffs that year but wow, what a fun season. I want that please.

 

[GeoBlue]

Any report on last night's game? I see a lot of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the stats. Was it an ugly game or are the refs just that much less tolerant in exhibition play?

 

[Habsrule]

The refs let nothing go at all. Once their would be a scrum after the whistle the ref was giving out 10 minutes misconducts.

I am going to sound really sexist here and I am sorry. There was a male and a female ref and it was the female that kept on giving out the misconduct penalties. I sit behind the Rangers bench and she would come over to explain it to the Rangers coaches. There was a time when a Bulldogs player got a two minute roughing penalty and they were saying something to the ref on the way to the penalty box. The ref gave him a 10 minute misconduct penalty for abuse of an official. Now who knows what he said but players mouth off all the time heading to the box and if you want to be a ref in higher leagues of hockey you need to have some thick skin.

 

[Habsrule]

On a side note the rookies looked really good last night.

Stark was their best rookie forward. That is even before his beautiful shot of a goal at the end of the game. I love that they have him killing penalties as a 16 year old.

Lam is going to have some highlight reel plays this year. He gets pushed around a lot but he had a time in the second period where he had the puck on a string and deked multiple players.

Romano was ok last night. Nothing really special but at the same time nothing noticeably bad.

Reid I am a gigantic fan of. That kid sure has confidence with the puck and joining the play. Brzustewicz, Hamara and Motew are getting the power play minutes so I don’t expect him to put up huge numbers yet. He also had a really big hit along the boards that led to a big scrum.

Their defence has much more freedom this year compared to last. Brzustewicz was shooting the puck a lot more, Hamara was skating with the puck a lot more although he did get caught a few times, Andonovski was skating up the ice with the puck and looked much more poised.

Parsons made a few huge saves that I am not sure how he did it.



It will be a long season but I think that they will be competitive and in many games but just not winning them. They have five solid defencemen and a good goalie. After their four forwards (Rehkopf, Sop, Swick, Martin) it drops off a lot. That will be their weakness.

 

[Gondrex]

On a side note the rookies looked really good last night.

Stark was their best rookie forward. That is even before his beautiful shot of a goal at the end of the game. I love that they have him killing penalties as a 16 year old.

Lam is going to have some highlight reel plays this year. He gets pushed around a lot but he had a time in the second period where he had the puck on a string and deked multiple players.

Romano was ok last night. Nothing really special but at the same time nothing noticeably bad.

Reid I am a gigantic fan of. That kid sure has confidence with the puck and joining the play. Brzustewicz, Hamara and Motew are getting the power play minutes so I don’t expect him to put up huge numbers yet. He also had a really big hit along the boards that led to a big scrum.

Their defence has much more freedom this year compared to last. Brzustewicz was shooting the puck a lot more, Hamara was skating with the puck a lot more although he did get caught a few times, Andonovski was skating up the ice with the puck and looked much more poised.

Parsons made a few huge saves that I am not sure how he did it.



It will be a long season but I think that they will be competitive and in many games but just not winning them. They have five solid defencemen and a good goalie. After their four forwards (Rehkopf, Sop, Swick, Martin) it drops off a lot. That will be their weakness.

Very good summary.

I, myself, can't help but focus on these rookies, and I'm sure my mind will do that all season in light of how I figure this season may play out. In my mind Stark has progressively gotten better and more confident in each game ever since the first Blue / White training camp session. I am personally very impressed with this kid. I felt he had a very good game last night, even against a physical Bulldogs team. Of course the others will, and I think are doing fine at this early start to their OHL careers.

Oh, and no "Chick-fil-A corner". I'm going to be completely disoriented this year.

 

[EvenSteven]

I was hoping that the coach would have started all four 07’s and say, Hunter B, for that 2 minute 5 on 3 in the 3rd.

Giving them the first minute or so of that PP? There’d have been a ton of ice for them to work with and show us what they could do.

It’s exhibition. What’s there to lose?

Oh, and very much liking that chip on Swick’s shoulder.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

The refs let nothing go at all. Once their would be a scrum after the whistle the ref was giving out 10 minutes misconducts.

I am going to sound really sexist here and I am sorry. There was a male and a female ref and it was the female that kept on giving out the misconduct penalties. I sit behind the Rangers bench and she would come over to explain it to the Rangers coaches. There was a time when a Bulldogs player got a two minute roughing penalty and they were saying something to the ref on the way to the penalty box. The ref gave him a 10 minute misconduct penalty for abuse of an official. Now who knows what he said but players mouth off all the time heading to the box and if you want to be a ref in higher leagues of hockey you need to have some thick skin.

You're right, you do. When I feel I have to start off with apologizing for how I'm going to sound, I tend to think it over and just not post it. If you don't know what was said you can't really judge, and there's a good chance you wouldn't have had a bone to pick with it were an "abuse of official" penalty given out with 2 male referee's (and it's not uncommon). Lot's of ref's in the OHL don't have particularly thick skin, so it does seem odd to be singling this out in a pre season game.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

Agreed that Stark was one of the top forwards last night. He’s not as flashy as a Romano or Lam but a player that the team will be so lucky to have as that core develops over the years.

Also great to see the D being able to activate more and jump in offensively. Could that be a selling point to Kiviharju down the road if his 3rd pairing listing continues for HIFK?

Apparently one of the reasons he left Turku (and Ahokas) after last year was due to how he was being used… cannot confirm that but maybe someone else in the European “know” can confirm that reason?

The Youth Movement!

 

[Squirrel88]

For the record, the abuse of official call was made by the male ref, and only after he told the player to get in the box 3 times. I don't mind that call at all. Sure, refs need a thick skin, but at some point, STFU and sit down. The male ref also called the misconducts that ended the night for Bujold and Martin. They had been yapping continually and he had enough.

My main complaint with the refs was the even-up calls. If you want the crap after the whistle to stop, just take one, or give an extra. Coaches will shut it down when the PP goals start coming.

I'm less bullish on the defence corps. Hamara needs to clean up the turnovers and the vets have been OK. Reid is going to get a lot of ice-time this year, especially after the trade deadline.

Stark was very good. I liked that they had him at centre. I'd like to see more out of Bottineau. He had a couple chances, so maybe the offense will start to come.

 

[Gondrex]

Like when we moved out top end quality in Xhekaj and brought in veteran toughness in bottom six type player Mutter.

My Martin suggestion to Sudbury with Tourre coming our way was with this in mind.

Which is why a guy like Hollett had value here in this, a rebuilding year.

Your mention of Toure sure is interesting. As a contender, the latest talk on the Sudbury site has fellow armchair managers trading him to make room on D. Sure would like to see someone like that guy on this team. It's early though I suppose. Maybe MM gives it time before making adjustments.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

The refs were going for most 10 minute misconducts in a game last night.

Perhaps they should have been focusing on a certain Bulldog who punched Swick in the head twice while the linesmen were trying to contain the two of them. Swick was pissed no doubt the Bulldog should have been thrown out of the game for all his "antics" etc. BUT no, he was left in even though he threw in yet another punch. Later, he would the center of more and sure enough caused havoc. Now Swick didn't do enough to warrant to get a misconduct but got one anyway.

From there on, the refs lost control of the game. Particularly enjoyed the final penalties of the game when Robelo got two for putting Ando in a headlock and Ando got one too for well.....being in a headlock I guess.

There was bad blood right from the start of this game. You would have thought it was playoffs. Lots of "excitement" throughout the game. Welcome to the OHL Jussi !! Rangers need to quickly recognize when a team is wreaking havoc just to get them off their game....which it did later in the 3rd period.

Two Bulldog goals were caused by Ranger vets..........Rehkopf and Brzustewicz. Ouch. Nuff said.

Reid.....he's the real deal and OHL ready. Very impressive. Lam.....this kid can wheel and stick handle on a dime....is super creative.....and seemingly has no fear even when they target him. I liked Stark in camp and I like him even more in exhibition. He will settle into OHL play quickly and his 200-foot game is so very evident. Romano.....still finding his way but has moments when he shines. I'd like to see him shoot more.

Parsons....how long has he been off? WOW.

 

[HUSH10]

Looks like Kitchener has signed Oshawa native rookie goaltender Owen Edwards as he is on the roster for the todays game

 

[TheBlueMonster]

Who are we feeling for captain this year everybody?

I think it would be cool for Matt Sop to lead the team in his OA season.

But Motew is also a really fine choice.

The list is small.

Sop and Motew in the top tier.

Martin, Swick, Rehkopf are the others who could be considered but would rather have one of Sop or Motew.


Also, really loving what I am seeing from Lam and Reid. It's a shame we swung and missed at the 22 draft because imagine having one or two of the top 40 players out of last years draft in the mix with Lam, Stark, Romano, Reid, Ando and Ellinas. Would have been a very nice foundation. Although Lam, Stark, Romano and Reid are going to be very good, very cruical to our next run regardless.

 

[GeoBlue]

Who are we feeling for captain this year everybody?

I think it would be cool for Matt Sop to lead the team in his OA season.

But Motew is also a really fine choice.

The list is small.

Sop and Motew in the top tier.

Martin, Swick, Rehkopf are the others who could be considered but would rather have one of Sop or Motew.


Also, really loving what I am seeing from Lam and Reid. It's a shame we swung and missed at the 22 draft because imagine having one or two of the top 40 players out of last years draft in the mix with Lam, Stark, Romano, Reid, Ando and Ellinas. Would have been a very nice foundation. Although Lam, Stark, Romano and Reid are going to be very good, very cruical to our next run regardless.

I say Motew because the Rangers site has been using him as the team poster boy all summer.

 

[luapejrug]

How has Rehkopf been looking in preseason so far? 3g, 2a today against Oshawa today.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Well, I had hoped that the Rangers would do well on their first road trip of the season (pre-season I know) but I sure didn't see an 11-3 for them in Oshawa. Shots 43-19 for Kitchener.

Also pleased to see Lam moved up in the lineup. He's going to be a dynamo for the team as he grows and learns in his rookie year. Nice to see MacNeil back in the D again. He tracks better than certain other D who shall remain nameless. Shame that we can't play all of our 16 year olds this season.

Rehkopf is going to have a stellar year and Sop looks like he's going to pick up where he left off.

Parsons - DeFelice - Edwards make for an intriguing goalie situation.

Missy is flying this pre-season so Rangers have their work cut out for them in the final two pre-season games.

 

[EvenSteven]

Would have been nice to see the Rangers go with a young lineup as the Generals did. I suppose when NHL camps open the kids will see a ton of minutes in the next two ex games.

I think we’ll see Edwards get sent down. But, it would be nice to see what he and DiFelice can give in the event Parsons becomes trade bait at the deadline.

Captain?

I stand by my earlier choice of Martin. But I think Motew makes sense too.

C- Martin
A- Motew
A- Rehkopf
A- Brzustewicz
A- Andonovski

Once trades are made, Sop gets a letter if he’s still here. I see Andonovski as captain material next season.

 

[sbpointer]

Who are we feeling for captain this year everybody?

I think it would be cool for Matt Sop to lead the team in his OA season.

But Motew is also a really fine choice.

The list is small.

Sop and Motew in the top tier.

Martin, Swick, Rehkopf are the others who could be considered but would rather have one of Sop or Motew.


Also, really loving what I am seeing from Lam and Reid. It's a shame we swung and missed at the 22 draft because imagine having one or two of the top 40 players out of last years draft in the mix with Lam, Stark, Romano, Reid, Ando and Ellinas. Would have been a very nice foundation. Although Lam, Stark, Romano and Reid are going to be very good, very cruical to our next run regardless.

Outsider POV I would be firmly in the Sop for captain camp..

 

[TheBlueMonster]

Chris Dennis named head coach of the Belleville Sens.

 

[Jives]

So we don’t have to pay Dennis full amount anymore? I think when a coach takes a new contract and was let go at old job the old team just has to cover the difference. If Dennis made 125k a year as a ranger but takes a 75k job as a Sen then Rangers on hook for 50k. I think that’s how it works…

 

[EvenSteven]

Chris Dennis named head coach of the Belleville Sens.

According to the Sens website, he was named an assistant coach.

Ottawa Senators announce additions to hockey operations department – Belleville Sens

Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion announced today additions to the team’s hockey operations department. An Ottawa native, and former Senators forward, Ben Sexton has been promoted from the American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators and joins Senators’ head coach D.J. Smith’s staff...

live-bsens.pantheonsite.io

 

[Ward Cornell]

Chris Dennis named head coach of the Belleville Sens.

I think as an assistant coach, David Bell is the HC

 

[robertmac43]

I think it would be cool for Matt Sop to lead the team in his OA season.

Hoping it's Sop for that reason. Plus he has played up and down the lineup over his time here and has taken each role on.

 

[K2]

So we don’t have to pay Dennis full amount anymore?

When Joe Birch presented the financial report, he said we payed out Dennis to honour his contract ($200k) so that hit was quite possibly taken in full.

I think we’ll see Edwards get sent down.

Agreed, though he could definitely use another exhibition period or three to experience more OHL game pace after struggling to stop 2/5 shots in the 3rd of Sunday's laffer. If Parsons is somehow already on the block, Edwards may well stay up with the team.