Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 2)

[Tim Wallach]

From Rangers email: Francesco Pinelli (Los Angeles Kings) are all sidelined with upper body injuries.

That's news. Hopefully not serious as he was playing terrific hockey lately. This team just can't get a full lineup it seems.

 

[RangerNation]

That's news. Hopefully not serious as he was playing terrific hockey lately. This team just can't get a full lineup it seems.

Precaution maybe? Sit tonight out, gear up for the weekend games.

 

[rangersblues]

I wonder if Mesar is joining the team in Michigan

My guess is Mesar will get some extra time off as he didn't have a Christmas break. That's what the Rangers and other teams traditionally do with players who participate at WJC IIRC.

 

[RangerNation]

My guess is Mesar will get some extra time off as he didn't have a Christmas break. That's what the Rangers and other teams traditionally do with players who participate at WJC IIRC.

I guess if we pair this with Martins return, potentially a full lineup at home on the 13th against Oshawa.

 

[bobber]

I wonder if Mesar is joining the team in Michigan

I saw some rule about the World Juniors that said no player can be traded or sent back until the tourney was over. Not sure if that is a fact.
Hamara off to the Gold Medal game tomorrow.

 

[EvenSteven]

Are you looking to load up more? How do you feel you stack up against London and Windsor?

Hopefully we can add grit on the cheap to our bottom six.

Kitchener/London/Windsor?
Good question. Off the top of my head, I think we may have a saw off between the three regarding each team’s top six. On D, I like ours and London’s to be a bit ahead of Windsor’s. Ditto in net.

Rangers weakness IMO is the bottom six. We did improve it with the Zhilkin move but we have almost zero grit anywhere among our forward group. We get into a hard series vs a tough team with a good bottom six and we’ll be behind the eight ball.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Just watching Zhilkin and I think I’d try him with Mesar right away. He has more creative instincts and looks for those quick hit give and go’s which is how Mesar processes the game as well.

Pinelli and Arcuri are both more shooters and Pinelli likes to hang onto the puck. To maximize Mesar, you need him with a quick puck mover.

 

[RangerNation]

As per Brown on Twitter, Mesar will be joining the team this weekend

 

[bobber]

Just watching Zhilkin and I think I’d try him with Mesar right away. He has more creative instincts and looks for those quick hit give and go’s which is how Mesar processes the game as well.

Pinelli and Arcuri are both more shooters and Pinelli likes to hang onto the puck. To maximize Mesar, you need him with a quick puck mover.

They call Zhilkin "Danny Dangles" in Guelph. Good pick up. Ranger fans will like this kid.

 

[RangerNation]

Good teams still compete when key players are out. This was sad.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Good teams still compete when key players are out. This was sad.

A complete lack of physicality and grit will be their downfall. How many goals have been scored this year while the D stand right beside the goal scorer without even a shove?

 

[Ward Cornell]

A complete lack of physicality and grit will be their downfall. How many goals have been scored this year while the D stand right beside the goal scorer without even a shove?



Was this post from 2011? Same old same old

 

[EvenSteven]

A complete lack of physicality and grit will be their downfall. How many goals have been scored this year while the D stand right beside the goal scorer without even a shove?

Certainly not a team that will be able to tough it out in the post season.

A team of this makeup may be ok in the regular season (but actually, it really isn’t to date), but come playoffs, when whistles are put away….

It won’t be pretty.

Just watching Zhilkin and I think I’d try him with Mesar right away. He has more creative instincts and looks for those quick hit give and go’s which is how Mesar processes the game as well.

Pinelli and Arcuri are both more shooters and Pinelli likes to hang onto the puck. To maximize Mesar, you need him with a quick puck mover.

Here’s my top nine:

Martin. Pinelli. Mesar.
Arcuri. Zhilkin. Valade.
Sop. Rehkopf.
Swick.

We have a void on the right side. Swick is a left shot LW. I don’t want him on the right side.

Question:
When Sop played with Pinelli and Arcuri after the Arcuri trade, did he play on the right side? I can’t recall. If so, maybe try him there? That line played well together if I remember correctly.

If so, then with some shuffling, maybe we go:

Arcuri. Pinelli. Sop.
Martin. Zhilkin. Mesar.
Swick. Rehkopf. Valade.

That may work out.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Certainly not a team that will be able to tough it out in the post season.

A team of this makeup may be ok in the regular season (but actually, it really isn’t to date), but come playoffs, when whistles are put away….

It won’t be pretty.


Here’s my top nine:

Martin. Pinelli. Mesar.
Arcuri. Zhilkin. Valade.
Sop. Rehkopf.
Swick.

We have a void on the right side. Swick is a left shot LW. I don’t want him on the right side.

Question:
When Sop played with Pinelli and Arcuri after the Arcuri trade, did he play on the right side? I can’t recall. If so, maybe try him there? That line played well together if I remember correctly.

If so, then with some shuffling, maybe we go:

Arcuri. Pinelli. Sop.
Martin. Zhilkin. Mesar.
Swick. Rehkopf. Valade.

That may work out.

Larmand is a tough excellent 3rd line C. Also excellent on PK. IMO a great fit.

 

[EvenSteven]

Larmand is a tough excellent 3rd line C. Also excellent on PK. IMO a great fit.

Yeah well, our cupboard is almost empty.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Yeah well, our cupboard is almost empty.

We can throw in a solid And tough 03 D man for an 04 or 05.

 

[Rangers2022]

I have to agree with what a lot of you guys are saying.
We just don't have any grit.
Going to be hard against a real physical team.
Power play better be real good to slow a team like this down.
Would have been really good to get Savard.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

I have to agree with what a lot of you guys are saying.
We just don't have any grit.
Going to be hard against a real physical team.
Power play better be real good to slow a team like this down.
Would have been really good to get Savard.

Trust me: Larmand and Anania will complete your line-up. They would also fit amazingly with the Pete’s. Won’t find tougher kids who can play…what 04’s could you provide?

 

[Tim Wallach]

I have to agree with what a lot of you guys are saying.
We just don't have any grit.
Going to be hard against a real physical team.
Power play better be real good to slow a team like this down.
Would have been really good to get Savard.

Savard would have been a good fit for sure. I can’t imagine McKenzie watches this team and doesn’t try to add grit.

 

[rangersblues]

I have to agree with what a lot of you guys are saying.
We just don't have any grit.
Going to be hard against a real physical team.
Power play better be real good to slow a team like this down.
Would have been really good to get Savard.

I agree about the lack of grit. I really don't think it's a case where one or two players would solve this issue. Grit is a team attitude. Our players seldom initiate contact and a lot of times shy away from contact when the other team initiates it. Like you (and many others) have said that's going to be a huge problem in a playoff series.

 

[Tim Wallach]

I agree about the lack of grit. I really don't think it's a case where one or two players would solve this issue. Grit is a team attitude. Our players seldom initiate contact and a lot of times shy away from contact when the other team initiates it. Like you (and many others) have said that's going to be a huge problem in a playoff series.

This is very true. Last year they had the toughest player in junior hockey but the team was still soft and passive. One player won’t fix it. But it sure couldn’t hurt.

 

[rangersblues]

This is very true. Last year they had the toughest player in junior hockey but the team was still soft and passive. One player won’t fix it. But it sure couldn’t hurt.

Great point about last season with Xhekaj. It's the identity of the organization. This team plays like a bunch of first and second year players who are out of their element playing against older players. A veteran squad like this should be exerting their will against the opposition.

 

[EvenSteven]

Trust me: Larmand and Anania will complete your line-up. They would also fit amazingly with the Pete’s. Won’t find tougher kids who can play…what 04’s could you provide?

Right now, the best pick we have available to deal is a 3rd ‘23. All other available picks to deal are 4th’s and beyond.

04’s that are off the table to move are, for obvious reasons, Brzustewicz, and the two imports.

05’s that are off the table to move are Rehkopf (top six) and Andonovski (the only grit we have on the roster).

So take a look at our remaining 04’s and 05’s, along with that 3rd, and if you can come up with a deal that interests you, have at it!

 

[nelli27]

Any road construction/closures on Weber St.?
What does that have to do with the Rangers? Good question... Suppose someone lived in Waterloo and drove down Weber to get to the Aud... It might be good to know if there are expected delays.
I will also note in passing that Rangers' top 9 forwards as good as any in the league.
Now, I will show myself out.

 

[bobber]

This is very true. Last year they had the toughest player in junior hockey but the team was still soft and passive. One player won’t fix it. But it sure couldn’t hurt.

Rangers are tied for the least amount of PIMs in the league. Not because they are disciplined. More to do with being on the hind end of plays. At this level if a team is seen as soft they are like a chicken with a spot of blood. You know what the game plan of the opposition will be.