EvenSteven
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Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 2)
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Gondrex
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Martin was working with an NHLer in the off-season from what I understand. Can't remember who it was, but if I understood correctly that guy boldly predicted Martin would pot 45 this season. Martin did seem to have that slow start but was picking it up prior to his absence. I was hoping to see if he would pull it off, or come close. Of course this will no longer be possible, but we know the kid can score. Can't wait for him to come back.
With Rehkopf on the pace mentioned above, Martin who was finally scoring at decent clip and will be soon returning, Pinelli with the recent hot hands, a (hopefully) re-invigorated Mesar returning from worlds, Valade who hopefully picks up where he left off prior to the Christmas break, Arcuri among the league goal-scoring leaders now in this line-up, and a consistent, improved-from-last-year Sop who pitches in here and there.....the offense is coming along nicely.
As pointed out by others, teams ahead in the standings will also be adding. However if the Rangers finally shake what I consider that underachievement we had witnessed up until a few weeks ago, then I don't really see the recent Kitchener moves as necessarily just simply bringing them up to the current level of talent of the upper teams....even before those teams start adding. I believe the Rangers had somewhat comparative talent prior, but they just weren't performing as expected. I could definitely be wrong on this of course. Time will tell. Having said this, as others have pointed out, Kitchener may still need that other piece (or two?) up front.
Knights Watcher
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Campaign is back up:
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I think the Rangers should go for more of a #2/3 line center who is very strong defensively. A solid two way player who can play physically. They don’t necessarily need a game changer. Make the third line of Valade - new guy - Sop. Valade and Sop are the top two forward penalty killers this year so make them more of a two way shutdown line who can still score. The Rangers have a lot of offence already.
Martin - Pinelli - Mesar
Arcuri - Rehkopf - Swick
Valade - new guy - Sop
Zidlicky - Fishman - Mercer
The bottom line can have Bottineau, Misaljevic, Morey, Pugliese swap in and out.
Martin - Pinelli - Mesar
Arcuri - Rehkopf - Swick
Valade - new guy - Sop
Zidlicky - Fishman - Mercer
The bottom line can have Bottineau, Misaljevic, Morey, Pugliese swap in and out.
Swick imo really sticks out here. I don’t see him as a 2nd line player on a team trying to win. To be honest I’d prefer he not even be on the 3rd line and we trade him to get a 19 year old depth forward for the 3rd line. I have zero issues with Sop being on 1st or 2nd line with 2 of our very talented forwards. I think he can complete a line (not be the star but a solid 3rd guy on one of the top 2 lines) and I think he has deserved that spot given how solid he has been this year. He is the one player that has surpassed a lot of expectations of fans of this team this year. At the beginning of season I honestly had him fighting for a spot on the 3rd line. By far the most improved player this season.
rangersblues
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EvenSteven
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I don’t feel good about Swick on the 2nd line either. I see us picking up a very good forward for the 2nd line and maybe a good vet on the cheap for the 3rd line (one C, one RW).
I see Swick perhaps on the fourth line providing what Yantsis did for us in the 2018 playoffs.
MM is going all in. I see him making sure we have three dangerous lines. Could Swick be a part of the top nine? Perhaps. But at best, I see it as being the LW on the third line. But ideally, I add two more forwards and Swick gets bumped to the 4th line.
When healthy, today we are:
Martin. Pinelli. Mesar.
Arcuri. Rehkopf. Valade.
Swick. Sop. Fishman.
Zidlicky. Mercer. Pugliese.
Miseljevic. Morey. Bottineau.
If we bring in two forwards as I suggest, one of Rehkopf or Valade is bumped to the 3rd line depending on that 2nd line addition. Then, we add the third line vet. These additions bump Swick and Fishman out of the top nine.
Obviously, we can’t add two forwards without moving out a couple forwards if we want to stay at 15. Two of the remaining players outside my top nine would be moved. Bottineau can’t be moved. Depending on who we are acquiring, one of Swick, Zidlicky or Mercer may have to go the other way. But ideally, I want those three as our 4th line. If that’s the case, then two of Morey, Miseljevic, Pugliese and Fishman should be moved.
Gondrex
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Of those "lower tiered" players mentioned I do like Swick. He has a heck of a long wing span, and in the last game I recall seeing him make some far-reaching stick checks that that physically most in this league couldn't make. I also don't mind seeing him parked in front of the net on a 2nd PP unit. He is potting a goal every 3rd game roughly on average. Arguably, you don't find a whole lotta guys with that size with half-decent (?) / acceptable (?) talent.
In my mind, Zidlicky looked so promising at the beginning of the season. Maybe it's a matter of getting the right line mates, or maybe for whatever reason he just gets his game together in the 2nd half. Either way, the kid plays hard.
Glad to see Mercer finally get a goal. Maybe a sign of things to come.
I like Bottineau. He battles hard, and will only get better in the coming years.
Morey, Pugliese, Fishman, and Misaljevic all do have good energy and work hard. I was maybe expecting Fishman to basically replace the loss of Petezian, but probably not fair considering the circumstances.
Not sure how things pan out, but with MM's deal-making being done this season, he will need to keep in mind what he wants and needs for the future seasons. To begin with, personally I'd hope Zidlicky and Swick are part of that. I believe those two will have to be among the upper-tiered forwards next year....they're likely going to have to be. It would be great if a couple of the others would be able to elevate their game like Sop did this season too.
Defense will have some holes that will need plugging too next season. I guess that's another discussion.
In my mind, Zidlicky looked so promising at the beginning of the season. Maybe it's a matter of getting the right line mates, or maybe for whatever reason he just gets his game together in the 2nd half. Either way, the kid plays hard.
Glad to see Mercer finally get a goal. Maybe a sign of things to come.
I like Bottineau. He battles hard, and will only get better in the coming years.
Morey, Pugliese, Fishman, and Misaljevic all do have good energy and work hard. I was maybe expecting Fishman to basically replace the loss of Petezian, but probably not fair considering the circumstances.
Not sure how things pan out, but with MM's deal-making being done this season, he will need to keep in mind what he wants and needs for the future seasons. To begin with, personally I'd hope Zidlicky and Swick are part of that. I believe those two will have to be among the upper-tiered forwards next year....they're likely going to have to be. It would be great if a couple of the others would be able to elevate their game like Sop did this season too.
Defense will have some holes that will need plugging too next season. I guess that's another discussion.
Coaches Coroner
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Swick is producing enough that if his physical game continues to get more consistent, I like him on the 3rd line. Get a physical vet on that line with him and it could be a terror on the forecheck.
EvenSteven
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I agree. Part of keeping the future in mind is protecting the 2nd and 3rd picks in the next draft. But I think if we add another big piece, that 2nd and possibly the 3rd may have to be sacrificed. That’s where I hope MM can get creative and maybe bring in a piece just one tier below the Arcuri cost but still be a big boost for the second line.
By the time Swick hits his OA season, he could be 220-225lbs (listed at 6’6” 208 right now) and an immovable object in front of the net. Could very well be a high end OA. He along with Zidlicky, Mercer and Andonovski could have us in 24-25, where we were last year: Selling off pieces but still having a competitive post season leading into a couple years of contention.
EvenSteven
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If we do acquire that very good piece for the 2nd line, once one of Valade or Rehkopf is bumped to the 3rd line, Swick could be that “3rd line addition on the cheap” I’ve suggested we add.
A third line of Sop, Swick and one of Valade / Rehkopf would be formidable.
Rangers True Blue
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Can't help but wonder why Lennox and Brochu weren't considered for Team Canada. And I'm quite happy that Pinelli is here with the Rangers....same for Schmidtt. As for Hamara, he did a nice job of tidying up the net after Wright's failed attempt at playing lacrosse and his team (and stellar goalie) left Canada wondering what happened. As for Mesar, the rest of his team will need to step up if the Slovaks want to make some noise.
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The goalies you mentioned are Overagers in the OHL as 20 year olds and thus not eligible for the tournament.
So do once-in-many-years, 4th overall pick Shane Wright and his value/cost go down if he has a bad tournament? It's just one game but that doens't look like a guy you trade Rehkopf++ for and improve your team like people were trying to sell us on.
I'm thinking Fantilli's value goes down. He seemed to be playing a selfish game and made many errors. No way he overtakes Bedard for #1, and I can see him falling from #2 unless he turns it around.
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Ward Cornell
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Just like Jeff O'Neil said...stop that lacrosse crap. Seemed like the team forgot they were there to win and not putting on a circus show
EvenSteven
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They were more interested in getting on the highlight reel instead of winning the game.
OMG67
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That puts a stamp on how bad Canada played where Wright is Canada’s player of the game. Wright didn’t have a bad game. He didn’t partake in the 1 vs 4 battles that his line mate continually participated in resulting in at least a dozen turnovers.
Watching Bedard continually go one on three or four with the line mates he has is insulting to his linemates. And then listening to the broadcasters gush all over Bedard was equally as insulting.
Wright probably deserved player of the game strictly for keeping Bedards head on his shoulders on the bench. I’m surprised his teammates didn’t rip it off.
bobber
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Most of the players on Canada's roster have some sort of ego. Guess when the press pumps your tires constantly and says they could be the greatest team ever constructed they started to believe it. The players that tried what I believe is called a "Michigan' should have sat on their ass for a bit. Hot dogging in a world class tournament just makes everyone look cheap. The TV hockey analyst with emphasis on anal just never quit bragging on certain Canadian players even when they were contributing nothing in this game. Not one Czech player was really given much air time.
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Coaches Coroner
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...and the main discussion in the game thread is about how he didn't deserve it...but lol at getting player of the game on the losing side in an embarrassing loss being proof of his worth. Are some of you on Shane's PR team payroll?
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Then people gobble it up so much that they pump his tires to everyone that will listen on message boards. It's strange how badly they want to convince other OHL team fans that he's a once-in-a-generation-OHLer that we (or any team) would be crazy not to empty the cupboards completely for.
It felt like a bad omen when Canada had 2 players in a short amount of time try to pull the Michigan on the Czechia goalie.
He’s got a lot of detractors obviously. A goal, assist, and even in a 5-2 L makes it hard to argue he did not deserve to be Canada’s player of the game
bobber
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I have no issues with Wright or any of the other skilled forwards on Canada's entry this year. A lot of skilled players on the squad. Just drives me crazy listening to the blow hard hockey analyst. Even when Canada is playing lowsy every time a Canadian touches the puck they act like it's the 2nd coming of Wayne Gretsky. There is more parity and if a team plays like a team instead of a bunch of individuals looking for there 15 minutes of fame they just might win a hockey game. A little adversity might shrink their heads back down to size and make them realize it won't be a cake walk. As for Wright some GM has likely already paid big for his services. Just waiting for the announcement. Hunter might be sitting in the bushes.
Ward Cornell
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Remember the good old days of watching hockey us old timers could enjoy before radio let alone TV?I have no issues with Wright or any of the other skilled forwards on Canada's entry this year. A lot of skilled players on the squad. Just drives me crazy listening to the blow hard hockey analyst. Even when Canada is playing lowsy every time a Canadian touches the puck they act like it's the 2nd coming of Wayne Gretsky. There is more parity and if a team plays like a team instead of a bunch of individuals looking for there 15 minutes of fame they just might win a hockey game. A little adversity might shrink their heads back down to size and make them realize it won't be a cake walk. As for Wright some GM has likely already paid big for his services. Just waiting for the announcement. Hunter might be sitting in the bushes.
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