Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 2)

[bobber]

It has been a while since this team valued toughness. They had X as unicorn but that’s it. And I’m not saying you need goons, but you need some that can answer the bell and keep the opponent honest. Watching our captain get mauled in a scrum last night was hopefully a wake up call for McKenzie.

MM swung for the fences in the last draft. He missed the boat. There are some really talented 2006 players in the league at this point time. As for toughness you are correct. Just having some sandpaper spread throughout the team helps when you have to grind it out in close games. Should always have a few players that can handle themselves and still contribute on the score sheet. Rangers seem to have a prototype they use in drafts that keep these gritty players off the roster.

 

[EvenSteven]

I don't dislike Zidlicky, but you can only have 1 or 2 of him in the bottom 6, and we have 1 of him and a couple lesser versions.

I also think a guy like Mercer should be traded because he's getting next to know ice time but looked pretty good at times last year and I think getting to actually play and a change of scenery could help him.

We need some combination of a physical tough players and energy guys. Used to have a 3rd line as a shut down line and a 4th line as an "energy" line. We need to add a bit of that, and generally it's not outrageously expensive too add (unless you're talking a Xhekaj whose also a high end player all around) if you do your OHL scouting properly.

We had Florian in camp. I’d like to know if MM offered him a contract and if not, why not?

 

[Rangers True Blue]

We had Florian in camp. I’d like to know if MM offered him a contract and if not, why not?

Liked him at camp. He stood out in the scrimmages and definitely had the X-factor. But MM & staff were already sold on what they had it seemed.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

After the game in Windsor...a nice bounce-back by the Rangers...CD said the team should improve in theory when the players that are coming in add skill and grit. Was he referring to Mesar, Hamara, and Martin returning? Or did he let it slip that MM is bringing in some reinforcements?

 

[LDN]

After the game in Windsor...a nice bounce-back by the Rangers...CD said the team should improve in theory when the players that are coming in add skill and grit. Was he referring to Mesar, Hamara, and Martin returning? Or did he let it slip that MM is bringing in some reinforcements?

Probably more additions

 

[bobber]

Liked him at camp. He stood out in the scrimmages and definitely had the X-factor. But MM & staff were already sold on what they had it seemed.

Florian is from Hamilton so likely wanted to play there. I think he was in a couple of different camps before signing with Hamilton. Usually players with sandpaper have that element in them. Have to look for that in the draft. Not sure if there is a Mutter available. MM needs to add someone physical element that opposing teams are aware of on the bench. Arcuri , Leyton etc. are going to be targets as the season wears on. In the Spits and Attack games the Rangers took a lot of abuse because there is no fear of retaliation.

 

[EvenSteven]

After the game in Windsor...a nice bounce-back by the Rangers...CD said the team should improve in theory when the players that are coming in add skill and grit. Was he referring to Mesar, Hamara, and Martin returning? Or did he let it slip that MM is bringing in some reinforcements?

It better be via reinforcements. There’s no grit coming back from those three. No disrespect, but Martin has size, but he’s not scaring anyone out there.

Florian is from Hamilton so likely wanted to play there. I think he was in a couple of different camps before signing with Hamilton. Usually players with sandpaper have that element in them. Have to look for that in the draft. Not sure if there is a Mutter available. MM needs to add someone physical element that opposing teams are aware of on the bench. Arcuri , Leyton etc. are going to be targets as the season wears on. In the Spits and Attack games the Rangers took a lot of abuse because there is no fear of retaliation.

MM has dealt for physicality in the past. Whether or not he’ll be able to this time around remains to be seen.

 

[EvenSteven]

It better be via reinforcements. There’s no grit coming back from those three. No disrespect, but Martin has size, but he’s not scaring anyone out there.


MM has dealt for physicality in the past. Whether or not he’ll be able to this time around remains to be seen.

Florian was at multiple camps, but did he have options? He was a free agent ‘04. You would think that he would have signed with the first team that offered him a contract.

I’m not so sure he had the luxury of picking his place to play. Was Hamilton his first choice or were they the team to offer him a contract?

I’d be more surprised if he had multiple options and picked his place to play. I’m thinking MM didn’t offer him a contract and when Hamilton did, he jumped at it.

 

[bobber]

Erie picks up 2004 Pano Fimis for three 2nds and two 3rds. Lets you know where the prices are at the moment. According to Ken Campbell twitter: The Kingston Frontenacs have nine solid offers for Shane Wright if he is (as expected) sent back to the OHL.

 

[Jives]

Pano will be back next year and could probably be flipped for a good return next year. 3 2nds and 2 3rds was paid. I think you could get 2 2nds and a 3rd if trading him away next year meaning the cost for a decent 18 year old for one season who would be a 2nd and a 3rd. That seems like a fair cost for a player that easily gets in our top 9. MM better still have a move in the future…hopefully 2 actually.

 

[bobber]

From Brown : 38 games left in 86 days. Or one game every 2.3 days from here on out. That’s a lot of hockey.

 

[K2]

If so, maybe Winterton coming off an injury, and with a sketchy injury history, can be had at a bit of a discount.

Winterton & Humphrey to London for Testa ('06 1st), Lloyd ('05 3rd) & MISS' 2nd in 2026.

 

[EvenSteven]

Winterton & Humphrey to London for Testa ('06 1st), Lloyd ('05 3rd) & MISS' 2nd in 2026.

Great deal for London!

Rangers aren’t good enough as we sit now. Before the Arcuri / Moore deals, I felt we were good enough to win a round. Today, I think we get to the second round for sure but nothing but ??? after that.

MM? Clock is ticking.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Great deal for London!

Rangers aren’t good enough as we sit now. Before the Arcuri / Moore deals, I felt we were good enough to win a round. Today, I think we get to the second round for sure but nothing but ??? after that.

MM? Clock is ticking.

I feel like if we had a Testa calibre 1st and we traded him for someone yet to play this year and a really good 3rd line veteran, we wouldn't be as positive on it. I think it's a lot to give up given the somewhat uncertainty of what Winterton will be like now (although the team obviously has a better idea of his injury status than anyone else). It makes more sense if Testa wants to be closer to home as some speculate...but if that's the price of things, I think we have to really look at Morrison as he's going to be more affordable than a comparable 4th year player, and we probably need the assets it would save in going after him to add veteran physical/shutdown depth.

 

[Knownothing]

Would not be surprised if Hunter adds Harrison too. Odds more likely than not , that will be his destination.

 

[bobber]

Great deal for London!

Rangers aren’t good enough as we sit now. Before the Arcuri / Moore deals, I felt we were good enough to win a round. Today, I think we get to the second round for sure but nothing but ??? after that.

MM? Clock is ticking.

Even, when you say the "clock is ticking" on MM. Do you mean to make a trade or , for his demise as a GM if he doesn't? He gave up a lot already this season and has a habit for saying the cost were too high at the deadline. He has some holes to fill for sure if he wants to compete with the big guns. When the teams at the top make themselves better and the Rangers are hovering around the last playoff spot it's going to be one hell of a challenge to contend. If a GM waits to long to pull the trigger he can end up holding the wrong end of the stick.

 

[EvenSteven]

Even, when you say the "clock is ticking" on MM. Do you mean to make a trade or , for his demise as a GM if he doesn't? He gave up a lot already this season and has a habit for saying the cost were too high at the deadline. He has some holes to fill for sure if he wants to compete with the big guns. When the teams at the top make themselves better and the Rangers are hovering around the last playoff spot it's going to be one hell of a challenge to contend. If a GM waits to long to pull the trigger he can end up holding the wrong end of the stick.

Make trades.

He’s already all in. As far as I’m concerned, he’s past the point of no return. What he’s done isn’t enough. Standing pat from this point forward doesn’t help.

I think he needs to add a 2nd liner, 3rd liner, and maybe a veteran depth D on the cheap.

We don’t have a ton of picks. Any big splash now would have to involve a two parter where a Rehkopf or Brzustewicz goes the other way in the off season. MM has never pulled the trigger on one of those. Will he?

 

[HUSH10]

Hearing Kitchener makes another move today possibly, stay tuned

 

[OHL4Life]

Hearing Kitchener makes another move today possibly, stay tuned

all in on zhilkin is an interesting strategy, not sure id love him that much, just me thou. hes barely over a point a game this year.

 

[StormWatcher]

all in on zhilkin is an interesting strategy, not sure id love him that much, just me thou. hes barely over a point a game this year.

I think they paid the Kitchener price as these two teams rarely trade.

 

[ZTKL]

Receiving Danny Zhilkin for:
Rangers trade forward Jesse Fishman,
Barrie’s second-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection,
Hamilton’s fourth-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection,
Oshawa’s third-round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection,
Hamilton’s second-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection,
Kitchener’s third-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection and
Kitchener’s third-round pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection

Seems pretty steep to me. I haven't been watching the OHL as much as I have in the past, but, does he at least provide a lot of toughness along with a decent amount of skill? Otherwise I don't see how giving 7 assets to a rival team for one good-not-amazing player makes much sense...

I think they paid the Kitchener price as these two teams rarely trade.

We got Givani Smith from you guys for 2 seconds and a conditional second, and he was one of the most impactful players I've seen in the OHL (recently) as far as a skill & toughness combo went

 

[Square Corners]

Receiving Danny Zhilkin for:
Rangers trade forward Jesse Fishman,
Barrie’s second-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection,
Hamilton’s fourth-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection,
Oshawa’s third-round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection,
Hamilton’s second-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection,
Kitchener’s third-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection and
Kitchener’s third-round pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection

Seems pretty steep to me. I haven't been watching the OHL as much as I have in the past, but, does he at least provide a lot of toughness along with a decent amount of skill? Otherwise I don't see how giving 7 assets to a rival team for one good-not-amazing player makes much sense...


We got Givani Smith from you guys for 2 seconds and a conditional second, and he was one of the most impactful players I've seen in the OHL (recently) as far as a skill & toughness combo went

Good not amazing is a perfect way to describe him

 

[StormWatcher]

Receiving Danny Zhilkin for:
Rangers trade forward Jesse Fishman,
Barrie’s second-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection,
Hamilton’s fourth-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection,
Oshawa’s third-round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection,
Hamilton’s second-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection,
Kitchener’s third-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection and
Kitchener’s third-round pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection

Seems pretty steep to me. I haven't been watching the OHL as much as I have in the past, but, does he at least provide a lot of toughness along with a decent amount of skill? Otherwise I don't see how giving 7 assets to a rival team for one good-not-amazing player makes much sense...


We got Givani Smith from you guys for 2 seconds and a conditional second, and he was one of the most impactful players I've seen in the OHL (recently) as far as a skill & toughness combo went

Zhilkin doesn't bring toughness but he is good on the.dot and defensively. I remember the Smith trade.

 

[TheBlueMonster]

If Roman Schmidt used his size and wasn't super soft, we wouldn't even be talking about acquiring a bruiser type of player. Can't remember the last time we saw a 6'5, 200+ pound player have 0 ZERO impact on physical play.

 

[OHL4Life]

Receiving Danny Zhilkin for:
Rangers trade forward Jesse Fishman,
Barrie’s second-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection,
Hamilton’s fourth-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection,
Oshawa’s third-round pick in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection,
Hamilton’s second-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection,
Kitchener’s third-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection and
Kitchener’s third-round pick in the 2026 OHL Priority Selection

Seems pretty steep to me. I haven't been watching the OHL as much as I have in the past, but, does he at least provide a lot of toughness along with a decent amount of skill? Otherwise I don't see how giving 7 assets to a rival team for one good-not-amazing player makes much sense...


We got Givani Smith from you guys for 2 seconds and a conditional second, and he was one of the most impactful players I've seen in the OHL (recently) as far as a skill & toughness combo went

not much toughness at all, honestly hes not a bad player, its just the cost, thats what a high end impact player should cost.

zhilkin is a point a game and not really physical at all.