Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 2)

[StingUpdates]

To be fair, would an overall Kingston playoff goals video since 1994 be any longer lol?

I like the Fronts. Great fans. Never the ability to put together a complete team that allows for everyone to be successful including Shane Wright.

Not sure if it's because of the color scheme, but I've always called them the Sarnia of the east. Constantly underperform no matter the talent, especially in the playoffs.

 

[OMG67]

To be fair, would an overall Kingston playoff goals video since 1994 be any longer lol?

I like the Fronts. Great fans. Never the ability to put together a complete team that allows for everyone to be successful including Shane Wright.

True DAT!

Not sure if it's because of the color scheme, but I've always called them the Sarnia of the east. Constantly underperform no matter the talent, especially in the playoffs.

You might just be on to something!

 

[Purple Phart]

The Rangers' biggest flaw is not with their present roster, or with their most recent additions.
Have any of you watched one of those cooking shows where 3 aspiring chefs are provided with identical ingredients and tasked with making an appetizing meal from those items provided ? The winner usually comes up with a recipe that's not only palatable, but appetizing as well. Second place is the cook who manages to provide something acceptable, but not quite over the top. Last place is the cook who barely manages to provide a meal that would be best described as a dog's breakfast.
Given that analogy, how would you honestly rate the present coaching staff ???
The point being: no matter how many premium ingredients are provided, the coaching staff has to have the vision and skill to mould those players into a cohesive and productive team. Just a thought to consider.

 

[GeoBlue]

The Rangers' biggest flaw is not with their present roster, or with their most recent additions.
Have any of you watched one of those cooking shows where 3 aspiring chefs are provided with identical ingredients and tasked with making an appetizing meal from those items provided ? The winner usually comes up with a recipe that's not only palatable, but appetizing as well. Second place is the cook who manages to provide something acceptable, but not quite over the top. Last place is the cook who barely manages to provide a meal that would be best described as a dog's breakfast.
Given that analogy, how would you honestly rate the present coaching staff ???
The point being: no matter how many premium ingredients are provided, the coaching staff has to have the vision and skill to mould those players into a cohesive and productive team. Just a thought to consider.

We have thought about. Still too early to tell. But I think most on these boards would point at the scouting as the weakest executive link. Oh yes, and closely related to the Board of Directors. Hey, does one of the Hunters want to buy the Rangers? ;-)

 

[Coaches Coroner]

The Rangers' biggest flaw is not with their present roster, or with their most recent additions.
Have any of you watched one of those cooking shows where 3 aspiring chefs are provided with identical ingredients and tasked with making an appetizing meal from those items provided ? The winner usually comes up with a recipe that's not only palatable, but appetizing as well. Second place is the cook who manages to provide something acceptable, but not quite over the top. Last place is the cook who barely manages to provide a meal that would be best described as a dog's breakfast.
Given that analogy, how would you honestly rate the present coaching staff ???
The point being: no matter how many premium ingredients are provided, the coaching staff has to have the vision and skill to mould those players into a cohesive and productive team. Just a thought to consider.

To me it sounds like you came up with this after accidentally watching some of Rogers pre-game programming.

 

[rangersblues]

The Rangers' biggest flaw is not with their present roster, or with their most recent additions.
Have any of you watched one of those cooking shows where 3 aspiring chefs are provided with identical ingredients and tasked with making an appetizing meal from those items provided ? The winner usually comes up with a recipe that's not only palatable, but appetizing as well. Second place is the cook who manages to provide something acceptable, but not quite over the top. Last place is the cook who barely manages to provide a meal that would be best described as a dog's breakfast.
Given that analogy, how would you honestly rate the present coaching staff ???
The point being: no matter how many premium ingredients are provided, the coaching staff has to have the vision and skill to mould those players into a cohesive and productive team. Just a thought to consider.

My thoughts are that MM will have Dennis on a very short leash after the trade deadline (or earlier). If the team doesn't perform up to expectations, changes will be made. I get the feeling he's not fooling around.

 

[TheBlueMonster]

To me it sounds like you came up with this after accidentally watching some of Rogers pre-game programming.

Is there anything better than a re-run episode of Grand River Living on Rogers TV cable 20? Lol

My thoughts are that MM will have Dennis on a very short leash after the trade deadline (or earlier). If the team doesn't perform up to expectations, changes will be made. I get the feeling he's not fooling around.

I say he's got until the day before the OA deadline. If sitting in 7th, 8th, 9th or 10th, MM take over behind the bench

 

[Tyler8525]

WOW

 

[Wolfman Jack]

Kitchener is a solid team now. Great additions. Not overly depleted draft pick bank. I really like what they quietly did in the last couple of months.

Add- Constitini, Mekar, Moore, Acuri. all this depth now and still Martin is out with an injury. Solid Solid team. Enjoy the rest of the way Kitchener fans.

WJ

 

[EvenSteven]

This was a statement game tonight sure. But hey, this was the Soo. They're in the basement for a reason.

Put in a dominant effort on Sunday and we’re talking.

 

[ottsabrefan]

This is pretty much what I’ve been saying. Wright is not worth what the market value seems to be. Makes no sense to me. A great NHL prospect but he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations at the OHL Level. That is not to say he isnt’ good. HE is a great player. But, he hasn’t lived up to expectations which have been high, rightfully so.

Because he is a centre, he is worth more than Acuri but is he worth whathe went for PLUS an ‘06 1st? I don’t think so.

Again, great NHL prospect no doubt. But at the OHL level is he the right guy for that type of deal? I don’t think so.



Morrison isn’t worth more than Arcuri. I think the fair market value for an elite OA is two 2nds and three 3rds. That seems to have held tru now for a solid 4-5 years. The only variable is whether the year the picks are in alignment with what the selling team is looking for.

This is a really weird take to me. How is he not worth it?

He is 2nd in the league in returning scorers (PPG), behind Morrison. Is not an OA. Has NHL and AHL experience. And lit up the AHL in a shortened stint.

As well, he is probably the best defensive forward in the league.

Sure, his playoff output wasn’t amazing but he still put up 14 points in 11 games as a 17 year old.

But, yeah, why give up a player that may be good in the future for probably the best player in the league?

 

[OMG67]

This is a really weird take to me. How is he not worth it?

He is 2nd in the league in returning scorers (PPG), behind Morrison. Is not an OA. Has NHL and AHL experience. And lit up the AHL in a shortened stint.

As well, he is probably the best defensive forward in the league.

Sure, his playoff output wasn’t amazing but he still put up 14 points in 11 games as a 17 year old.

But, yeah, why give up a player that may be good in the future for probably the best player in the league?

Because you can acquire Morrison for the picks in the Wright package without adding the ‘06 1st.

I’d rather have the reigning MVP of the playoffs that is currently leading the league in scoring Vs a player that has played something like 12 games this year to date, especially if I get to keep my 1st rounder.

On top of that, Wright dropped from 1st to 4th for a reason. I think there are three NHL teams that saw the same as I did and question his drive at the OHL level. When the going gets tough, he is nowhere to be found.

He doens’t want to be in the OHL. If he comes back, he will be making the best of a bad situation from his perspective. Morrison is fighting for an NHL contract.

Is it possible Wright comes back and tears the league to pieces? Sure. Is it possible he comes back and goes through the motions? Sure. I’ll bet on the guy that already proved it at the OHL level and that he can do it again.

 

[ottsabrefan]

Because you can acquire Morrison for the picks in the Wright package without adding the ‘06 1st.

I’d rather have the reigning MVP of the playoffs that is currently leading the league in scoring Vs a player that has played something like 12 games this year to date, especially if I get to keep my 1st rounder.

On top of that, Wright dropped from 1st to 4th for a reason. I think there are three NHL teams that saw the same as I did and question his drive at the OHL level. When the going gets tough, he is nowhere to be found.

He doens’t want to be in the OHL. If he comes back, he will be making the best of a bad situation from his perspective. Morrison is fighting for an NHL contract.

Is it possible Wright comes back and tears the league to pieces? Sure. Is it possible he comes back and goes through the motions? Sure. I’ll bet on the guy that already proved it at the OHL level and that he can do it again.

Where exactly did Morrison get drafted? What does the NHL think about him? Funny that you rip Wright for slipping from 1st OVERALL to 4th OVERALL but Morrison can’t even make the AHL in his OA season.

I wonder how well Morrison would have done last year with the Fronts D and goaltending. Switch places and put McTavish and X with Wright and I’m sure he’s holding the championship as well.

Just because the Kraken are a mess doesn’t mean Wright won’t come back and be the best player in the league.

And what player in the NHL ever WANTS to come back to the OHL. They do it and dominate and go back up. It doesn’t help him any to sulk and struggle. And I’m sure he’ll realize that dominating and improving his game will help him in the long run.

But, I agree, if you don’t have the funds, grab Morrison. He’s much cheaper and one of the top players in the league. But, it wil cost you an OA spot.

 

[Habsrule]

Once this team gets Mesar, Hamara and Martin back they can be a team to make some noise. Just need to pick up one more bottom six forward preferably with size.

 

[OMG67]

Where exactly did Morrison get drafted? What does the NHL think about him? Funny that you rip Wright for slipping from 1st OVERALL to 4th OVERALL but Morrison can’t even make the AHL in his OA season.

I wonder how well Morrison would have done last year with the Fronts D and goaltending. Switch places and put McTavish and X with Wright and I’m sure he’s holding the championship as well.

Just because the Kraken are a mess doesn’t mean Wright won’t come back and be the best player in the league.

And what player in the NHL even WANTS to come back to the OHL. They do it and dominate and go back up. It doesn’t help him any to sulk and struggle. And I’m sure he’ll realize that dominating and improving his game will help him in the long run.

But, I agree, if you don’t have the funds, grab Morrison. He’s much cheaper and one of the top players in the league.

It isn’t about their NHL career. It is about one player fighting to get noticed and signed and another making the best of a bad situation. Who do you honestly think is more motivated? Be honest.

Wright is a better prospect. No question. But we are making assessments base ONLY on this OHL season. Teams don’t have unlimited bullets like in the movies. GM’s need to be savvy. If you can acquire Morrison for half the price of Wright, then you also have that other piece to use on a second player if you choose to. Wright may be a good player but he isn’t better than Morrison AND someone else worthy of a straight up ’06 1st. Or maybe you add a few picks into the equation and snag Mintyukov. Keep your ‘06 1st for a Mintyukov deal and the picks go to Morrison. Sure, it costs you a couple extra picks but the team is far better off with that (provided they have an Import and OA spot).

 

[ottsabrefan]

It isn’t about their NHL career. It is about one player fighting to get noticed and signed and another making the best of a bad situation. Who do you honestly think is more motivated? Be honest.

Wright is a better prospect. No question. But we are making assessments base ONLY on this OHL season. Teams don’t have unlimited bullets like in the movies. GM’s need to be savvy. If you can acquire Morrison for half the price of Wright, then you also have that other piece to use on a second player if you choose to. Wright may be a good player but he isn’t better than Morrison AND someone else worthy of a straight up ’06 1st. Or maybe you add a few picks into the equation and snag Mintyukov. Keep your ‘06 1st for a Mintyukov deal and the picks go to Morrison. Sure, it costs you a couple extra picks but the team is far better off with that (provided they have an Import and OA spot).

You don’t think Wright is motivated given all the negative press he has received in the last six months?

I think Wright is better than Morrison straight up (not a lot albeit), but if you add in extras then you also need to consider that you lose that OA spot as well. So, really to me it depends on the team and what they have as OAs, but for some teams it may make more sense to go for Morrison if they can get him.

Regardless, I was more so alluding to the fact that Wright is in fact worth the price that will be paid for him given that he will be the top player in the league coming back and will likely push whatever team he goes to over the top…even if it is a team struggling at the moment like the Rangers or Petes.

 

[EvenSteven]

Where exactly did Morrison get drafted? What does the NHL think about him? Funny that you rip Wright for slipping from 1st OVERALL to 4th OVERALL but Morrison can’t even make the AHL in his OA season.

I wonder how well Morrison would have done last year with the Fronts D and goaltending. Switch places and put McTavish and X with Wright and I’m sure he’s holding the championship as well.

Just because the Kraken are a mess doesn’t mean Wright won’t come back and be the best player in the league.

And what player in the NHL ever WANTS to come back to the OHL. They do it and dominate and go back up. It doesn’t help him any to sulk and struggle. And I’m sure he’ll realize that dominating and improving his game will help him in the long run.

But, I agree, if you don’t have the funds, grab Morrison. He’s much cheaper and one of the top players in the league. But, it wil cost you an OA spot.

The Kraken are not a mess. They are third in their division. Or are they a mess because they didn’t play Wright?

If Wright warranted the ice time, he’d have gotten it. He’d have played the minutes that would have gotten him into more games and we wouldn’t be talking about him here.

 

[ottsabrefan]

The Kraken are not a mess. They are third in their division. Or are they a mess because they didn’t play Wright?

If Wright warranted the ice time, he’d have gotten it. He’d have played the minutes that would have gotten him into more games and we wouldn’t be talking about him here.

A mess in that they should have just sent him down and not continued to healthy scratch their future superstar more than half the games.

Google search it and you’ll know what I mean.

He didn’t deserve the ice time but he didn’t deserve that minor league treatment either.

They have treated him the way the Sabres treated Grigorenko. Good way to ruin a pick.

 

[RangerNation]

I'm starting to uncross my arms but I'd still like to see this happen against better teams. Keep the foot down and plow through Missy on Sunday

 

[OMG67]

You don’t think Wright is motivated given all the negative press he has received in the last six months?

I think Wright is better than Morrison straight up (not a lot albeit), but if you add in extras then you also need to consider that you lose that OA spot as well. So, really to me it depends on the team and what they have as OAs, but for some teams it may make more sense to go for Morrison if they can get him.

Regardless, I was more so alluding to the fact that Wright is in fact worth the price that will be paid for him given that he will be the top player in the league coming back and will likely push whatever team he goes to over the top…even if it is a team struggling at the moment like the Rangers or Petes.

Philosophically speaking, I’ve never been an advocate of trading your 1st round pick unless you truly feel the player won’t be impact until he is 19. I don’t think any player is worth a 1st plus three 2nds and three 3rds. To me, the better value is depth. Take the two impact players that may be marginally less valuable at half the price.

For example, Kitchener just acquired Arcuri for the picks portion of the projected return on the Wright trade. To me, you take that deal and then duplicate that deal and add Pastujov or Kyrou for example. The depth added by those two players is likely better than the one individual player.

Most time the player added at the deadline like Wright is the player that is the exclamation mark. The player that really isn’t needed. The best team makes that move to just face wash the rest of the league.

Most of the “contending” teams this season aren’t clear favourites. Wright won’t be that exclamation mark. Most teams have multiple holes compared to past Championship teams. Wright can’t fill all those holes.

 

[OMG67]

A mess in that they should have just sent him down and not continued to healthy scratch their future superstar more than half the games.

Google search it and you’ll know what I mean.

He didn’t deserve the ice time but he didn’t deserve that minor league treatment either.

They have treated him the way the Sabres treated Grigorenko. Good way to ruin a pick.

I agree with this. He needed more time in Junior. The problem was Kingston and that strained relationship there. If he were sent back to the OHL, they knew he’d be a January deal so why send him there? I thinks hat was the logic.

 

[K2]

To me it sounds like you came up with this after accidentally watching some of Rogers pre-game programming.

Last night's 6pm Talk to Santa live call-in show on Rogers was somehow applicable too

 

[dirty12]

It isn’t about their NHL career. It is about one player fighting to get noticed and signed and another making the best of a bad situation. Who do you honestly think is more motivated? Be honest.

Honestly, I think Wright Othmann would be beyond motivated to make a mockery of the league. With Clarke or maybe Schmidt and Arcuri, Wright would be comfortable and happy enough I think.
Wright might feel there is something to prove. Morrison a swan song before university?

Wright is a better prospect. No question. But we are making assessments base ONLY on this OHL season. Teams don’t have unlimited bullets like in the movies. GM’s need to be savvy. If you can acquire Morrison for half the price of Wright, then you also have that other piece to use on a second player if you choose to. Wright may be a good player but he isn’t better than Morrison AND someone else worthy of a straight up ’06 1st. Or maybe you add a few picks into the equation and snag Mintyukov. Keep your ‘06 1st for a Mintyukov deal and the picks go to Morrison. Sure, it costs you a couple extra picks but the team is far better off with that (provided they have an Import and OA spot).

Wright and Panwar or Roger is way better than Morrison and Marelli or Mews.
And I think you are very wrong about good depth vs the very best concentrated at the top; especially in the case of the Petes. Assemble by far the top-top line and don’t bother playing the Petes 4th line made up of a 19 yr old mountain at centre with the 6th OA pick and/or 2-18 yr old 2nd picks.
That’s star studded at the top and deep my friend.

 

[bobber]

Back to the Ranger thread. Impressive game. Every player on the Rangers came out motivated last night. Exciting game to watch. The new additions looked great and Pinelli put up five points. Constantini with a shut out. Hopefully they can keep it going now.

 

[Gondrex]

Pinelli has been good........ very, very good recently.

Glad to see Mercer get the monkey off his back.

It may have been a lopsided win, but we've seen this movie before. In Mesar's first game, the Rangers pasted the Wolves 7-1. Personally I'm going to try to keep my recency bias in check before drawing optimism from one game. On the other hand, maybe the majority of the players on this team by now have finally bought into CD's systems that this sort of result continues. Let's hope so.

On Sunday it's off to Mississauga, then a visit to our rivals at the Bayshore just after Christmas. Looking ahead, a Petes team seeking some revenge will be in town on the 30th. Then there is Windsor on the last day of the year. You want to make a statement ?.......this is the game to do it IMO. Don't know about you but I'm tired of seeing the "Spits skating circles around the Rangers".