Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 2)

[Coaches Coroner]

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.

Cody Sol.

 

[bobber]

Zhilkin is drafted by the Jets. If NHL scouts think he is good enough for pro I will take their word over any armchair scout on HF. Rangers really lack on face offs. If they are an important facet of the game as many say they are they needed help in that area. Hope it works out.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

It's a couple thirds too many, price is always higher from a rival. I'm guessing we had to add more picks because Fishman isn't really a piece that is going to bring much value. Still need to add pieces to the bottom 6 to make them effective and tough to play against. I guess the main thing is we have weaknesses that this doesn't really address, which will be a problem if this trade makes it so we can't afford to add any bottom 6 pieces.

Zhilkin is drafted by the Jets. If NHL scouts think he is good enough for pro I will take their word over any armchair scout on HF.

Not drafted, but recently signed. So teams weren't sold on him to draft him based on last year, but based on this year's play the Jets liked him enough to sign him.

 

[StormWatcher]

It's a couple thirds too many, price is always higher from a rival. I'm guessing we had to add more picks because Fishman isn't really a piece that is going to bring much value. Still need to add pieces to the bottom 6 to make them effective and tough to play against. I guess the main thing is we have weaknesses that this doesn't really address, which will be a problem if this trade makes it so we can't afford to add any bottom 6 pieces.


Not drafted, but recently signed. So teams weren't sold on him to draft him based on last year, but based on this year's play the Jets liked him enough to sign him.

He was drafted by the Jets last year... he's an 'O3. 3rd round by the Jets IIRC but you can look it up.

 

[bobber]

It's a couple thirds too many, price is always higher from a rival. I'm guessing we had to add more picks because Fishman isn't really a piece that is going to bring much value. Still need to add pieces to the bottom 6 to make them effective and tough to play against. I guess the main thing is we have weaknesses that this doesn't really address, which will be a problem if this trade makes it so we can't afford to add any bottom 6 pieces.


Not drafted, but recently signed. So teams weren't sold on him to draft him based on last year, but based on this year's play the Jets liked him enough to sign him.

Fixed that post. Thanks Coroner. I agree with what you are saying here. Wonder if MM can move a player now for some grit. Not sure where you find it. 2003 Savard in the Soo?

 

[ZTKL]

Zhilkin is "signed" by the Jets. If NHL scouts think he is good enough for pro I will take their word over any armchair scout on HF. Rangers really lack on face offs. If they are an important facet of the game as many say they are they needed help in that area. Hope it works out. Thanks Coaches

Oh 100%, they have to see much more than we do. Just looking at stats it seems a bit baffling. But MM, the scouts, and the analytics department (we have one of those, right?) must see a lot in this kid in order to part with that much draft capital. And with Guelph being a team that's selling and sinking in the standings, Zhilkin will probably be able to find a new level of play with the Rangers, especially if he's playing with some of Kitchener's top guns.

 

[LDN]

What is your new projected lineup with everyone healthy?

 

[bobber]

Brown's Tweet: Zhilkin’s addition gives the Rangers (when healthy) a top nine of: Martin-Pinelli-Mesar, Arcuri-Zhilkin-Valade, Sop-Rehkopf-Swick.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Fixed that post. Thanks Coroner. I agree with what you are saying here. Wonder if MM can move a player now for some grit. Not sure where you find it. 2003 Savard in the Soo?

I was wrong...and I had just looked it up to, I have no idea how I missed that. @StormWatcher was correct

 

[bobber]

I was wrong...and I had just looked it up to, I have no idea how I missed that. @StormWatcher was correct

Saw that. Zhilkin is supposedly 2nd best on face offs in the league. Must be one reason they wanted him. Good two way player also according to report.

 

[GeoBlue]

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 keep thinking of Othmann going for Artem Guryev, 2 x 3rds and a 2nd. And this is what we pay for a faceoff specialist?

 

[bobber]

I keep thinking of Othmann going for Artem Guryev, 2 x 3rds and a 2nd. And this is what we pay for a faceoff specialist?

High price for sure. I think MM is looking at how far some picks are down the road and feels he can recoup.

 

[rangersblues]

Very questionable move imo. That is likely the last significant move. We don't have many assets left at this point do we?

 

[Bra Wavers]

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.

Sean Day maybe?

 

[Ward Cornell]

Trading to leave the mediocre ranks to become a good mediocore team??



Honestly what is MM thinking after this season what players does MM really have to trade to restock the cupboards? Having those 2 firsts next yr is fine but basically zero assets left to build around them.

 

[rangersblues]

Trading to leave the mediocre ranks to become a good mediocore team??



Honestly what is MM thinking after this season what players does MM really have to trade to restock the cupboards? Having those 2 firsts next yr is fine but basically zero assets left to build around them.

Rehkopf and Brzustewicz . I'm fine if that's the case and he does enough this year. Right now I don't think that's going to be the case

 

[GeoBlue]

Fixed that post. Thanks Coroner. I agree with what you are saying here. Wonder if MM can move a player now for some grit. Not sure where you find it. 2003 Savard in the Soo

Savard just went to Barrie.

 

[EvenSteven]

Trading to leave the mediocre ranks to become a good mediocore team??



Honestly what is MM thinking after this season what players does MM really have to trade to restock the cupboards? Having those 2 firsts next yr is fine but basically zero assets left to build around them.

Very true. And what if one of those 1sts turns out to be a LeBlanc? Or even a Valade, who’s only ok, but as a first rounder? MM’s success in round one is ok.

But going forward we have a weak 04 group (imports don’t count) thanks to the LeBlanc draft. An ok 05 group. I was high on this group last year but I expected more out of Mercer and Zidlicky. A crippled 06 group thanks to the Hage / Longacre picks. And now no depth in what will be the 07 group. What’s the point having two 1sts when you don’t surround them with quality?

And we now don’t even have the distant assets to deal to acquire a high pick or two the week before the draft.

Bottom line is that MM stubbed his toe on Hage and Longacre, and as a result, our future is weak and he made it weaker by emptying the cupboard of assets.

Sure he’ll likely try to sell off Brzustewicz next year, to a team he’ll agree to waive his NTC for. Maybe Hamara if as well if he returns. Not much else to sell. Parsons? Too many ??? regarding him.

This season is do or die for MM and, unless he can bring in a gritty forward or two, as this roster sits right now, I don’t like his chances.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I keep thinking of Othmann going for Artem Guryev, 2 x 3rds and a 2nd. And this is what we pay for a faceoff specialist?

There's a reason Othmann went as cheap as he did despite his pedigree and previous season, Peterborough seems one of the few teams willing to take chances on headcases...I think calling Zhilkin a faceoff specialist is unfair at best.

Not a huge fan of the Zhilkin trade...but based on how Othmann has played in Pbo so far, even without the baggage, not sure anyone here would be happy with 2 x 3rds, a 2nd and a Guryev equivalent (Schmidt perhaps).

 

[EvenSteven]

Savard just went to Barrie.

Jesus. That’s the deal we should have made.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Trading to leave the mediocre ranks to become a good mediocore team??



Honestly what is MM thinking after this season what players does MM really have to trade to restock the cupboards? Having those 2 firsts next yr is fine but basically zero assets left to build around them.

Brzutewicz and Rehkopf...if he's all in this year he HAS to make the tough decision and move those two when the time comes. If he stands pat or only minor sell next year, we're screwed.

 

[rangersblues]

Very true. And what if one of those 1sts turns out to be a LeBlanc? Or even a Valade, who’s only ok, but as a first rounder? MM’s success in round one is ok.

But going forward we have a weak 04 group (imports don’t count) thanks to the LeBlanc draft. An ok 05 group. I was high on this group last year but I expected more out of Mercer and Zidlicky. A crippled 06 group thanks to the Hage / Longacre picks. And now no depth in what will be the 07 group. What’s the point having two 1sts when you don’t surround them with quality?

And we now don’t even have the distant assets to deal to acquire a high pick or two the week before the draft.

Bottom line is that MM stubbed his toe on Hage and Longacre, and as a result, our future is weak and he made it weaker by emptying the cupboard of assets.

Sure he’ll likely try to sell off Brzustewicz next year, to a team he’ll agree to waive his NTC for. Maybe Hamara if as well if he returns. Not much else to sell. Parsons? Too many ??? regarding him.

This season is do or die for MM and, unless he can bring in a gritty forward or two, as this roster sits right now, I don’t like his chances.

Has Longacre committed to NCAA yet? It may be possible that he still comes to Kitchener. He wouldn't have seen much ice this year anyway.

 

[rangersblues]

Brzutewicz and Rehkopf...if he's all in this year he HAS to make the tough decision and move those two when the time comes. If he stands pat or only minor sell next year, we're screwed.

I don't have much doubt that MM will move Brzustewicz and Rehkopf sometime in the next 2 years. The problem is he's put our future on the line without doing enough this year IMO. Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Has Longacre committed to NCAA yet? It may be possible that he still comes to Kitchener. He wouldn't have seen much ice this year anyway.

None listed on eliteprospects so far.

 

[bobber]

I think the Rangers also look at Zhilkin as a 200 foot player along with his face off skill.