Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread (Part 3)

[GeoBlue]

I know I made the comment when London played Kitchener a few weeks back, but holy shot your coach is a douche! Almost the exact same comments after this game as the last one.
“The total mismanagement of the puck and the game is on them (the players),” said Rangers coach Chris Dennis. “They have to decide what they want to be. We talked about it, had a plan, executed the plan for 30 minutes and then completely played into their hands.”
“Our team has absolutely no idea how to be responsible with the puck in a game where we were trying to win and hang on to a lead,” said a frustrated Dennis. “I don’t know where our game management is or where are players’ heads are at.”
Why would any player want to play for a coach that takes no responsibility.
He basically saying “I coached them perfectly, but they’re too stupid to remember how to play a full 60”
I don’t care if that how he feels, that stays in the dressing room and tell the media it was a hard fought disappointing loss, that was a couple bounces from going the other way. (Which it was)

No kidding, eh? The #1 thing a coach should be teaching a team is how to play and act as a team. He is completely pointing the finger away from himself and at them. "We have to recall this product. Someone on the production floor screwed up." If this was a manager in some corporation, he would be gone.

 

[bobber]

I know I made the comment when London played Kitchener a few weeks back, but holy shot your coach is a douche! Almost the exact same comments after this game as the last one.
“The total mismanagement of the puck and the game is on them (the players),” said Rangers coach Chris Dennis. “They have to decide what they want to be. We talked about it, had a plan, executed the plan for 30 minutes and then completely played into their hands.”
“Our team has absolutely no idea how to be responsible with the puck in a game where we were trying to win and hang on to a lead,” said a frustrated Dennis. “I don’t know where our game management is or where are players’ heads are at.”
Why would any player want to play for a coach that takes no responsibility.
He basically saying “I coached them perfectly, but they’re too stupid to remember how to play a full 60”
I don’t care if that how he feels, that stays in the dressing room and tell the media it was a hard fought disappointing loss, that was a couple bounces from going the other way. (Which it was)

Exactly Rubbers. These kids all had top coaching coming up through minor hockey. They know what a donkey looks like when they see one. They come to the Rangers who pushed an assistant up the ladder to the GM position quickly because his father's name. Feather in the cap. Can't let this guy get away. He hires a guy that played hockey with rubber boots on and he turns the team into Niagara 2.0 . McKenzie screwed the pooch. There is no getting around this fact. He should have sold. Guess he thought if he could pull off some sort of miracle he would be getting calls from the pros. I wouldn't trust him running a popsicle stand.

 

[bobber]

You know what's sad though?

The ceiling for next year with the returning roster is 8th place. They could finish 8th this season, and very well finish 8th again next season with a super less than talented roster lol

The other sad scenario. London and Ottawa are still in rebuild mode and are in contention to 'go for it" as we say next year. The Storm are ahead of the Rangers and sold off. Well coached team find ways to win. The only bright lights are the players like Pinelli driving some offense. Kid must be as frustrated as hell with Dennis and his minions running this outfit.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Exactly Rubbers. These kids all had top coaching coming up through minor hockey. They know what a donkey looks like when they see one. They come to the Rangers who pushed an assistant up the ladder to the GM position quickly because his father's name. Feather in the cap. Can't let this guy get away. He hires a guy that played hockey with rubber boots on and he turns the team into Niagara 2.0 . McKenzie screwed the pooch. There is no getting around this fact. He should have sold. Guess he thought if he could pull off some sort of miracle he would be getting calls from the pros. I wouldn't trust him running a popsicle stand.

Eh, minor hockey coaches are extremely hit or miss, even the really good minor teams. Dennis is a terrible head coach and has clearly lost the room tho.

The players seem to hate him and he seems to hate them based on his post game interviews.

 

[rangersblues]

Eh, minor hockey coaches are extremely hit or miss, even the really good minor teams. Dennis is a terrible head coach and has clearly lost the room tho.

The players seem to hate him and he seems to hate them based on his post game interviews.

Dennis is definitely not a peoples person. He has no clue how to handle young players. His inexperience is really showing.

But then again - isn't that what junior hockey is for? Developing coaches

 

[bobber]

Eh, minor hockey coaches are extremely hit or miss, even the really good minor teams. Dennis is a terrible head coach and has clearly lost the room tho.

The players seem to hate him and he seems to hate them based on his post game interviews.

You can spin this anyway you like. My point is these players mostly come from families that can afford to have their sons in AAA hockey. It's no blue colour sport. I believe coaches in the Toronto area get some sort of salary. I was told this. Could be wrong. These kids play a huge amount of games in their respective leagues plus tourneys. They go to the best hockey schools and get top end instructions. It is the top minor hockey there is in Ontario. If anyone knows what decent coaching looks like it's these kids that put in the hours on the ice. They would have to be blind not to see it here. Coaching is hit or miss in every league. Here it's a miss. I blame it directly on MM. Dennis might have been a great assistant somewhere but he sure as hell is no OHL coach. Maybe Dennis thinks the players are out to get him canned? I doubt that but MM lets him carry on like it's all on the players. This season is a wash anyway. Hardly worth the effort.

 

[OhSheilaa]

I'm disappointed and frustrated. There is a LOT of talent on this team but it doesn't seem their talent is being optimized.

Up 3-1 and lost 5-4

Once again Hunter and his coaches outcoached our coaches and because of that, the Knights outplayed the Rangers.

It's the same breakout, and same take the puck down the side, same get stuck in the corner with no passing options.

London knew our system and how to thwart it. London's system dominated ours. If there were any adjustments made, they didn't work.

There have seen some good games, but there is no consistency, no spark, no jump with this team. That's not on the players.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

You can spin this anyway you like. My point is these players mostly come from families that can afford to have their sons in AAA hockey. It's no blue colour sport. I believe coaches in the Toronto area get some sort of salary. I was told this. Could be wrong. These kids play a huge amount of games in their respective leagues plus tourneys. They go to the best hockey schools and get top end instructions. It is the top minor hockey there is in Ontario. If anyone knows what decent coaching looks like it's these kids that put in the hours on the ice. They would have to be blind not to see it here. Coaching is hit or miss in every league. Here it's a miss. I blame it directly on MM. Dennis might have been a great assistant somewhere but he sure as hell is no OHL coach. Maybe Dennis thinks the players are out to get him canned? I doubt that but MM lets him carry on like it's all on the players. This season is a wash anyway. Hardly worth the effort.

I just think your overestimating 12-15 year olds abilities to analyze and assess those with authority over them (coaches in this case).

I'm not spinning it any way lol, I've said multiple times Dennis is bad and has lost the room, I'm just saying based on my experiences growing up with kids who went through AAA and on to OHL, you're overstating how much their AAA experience would alert them to a bad OHL coach...I think playing the games, having the same results and the same talking point from the coach is enough to sour a group of teenagers on their coach.

 

[bobber]

I just think your overestimating 12-15 year olds abilities to analyze and assess those with authority over them (coaches in this case).

I'm not spinning it any way lol, I've said multiple times Dennis is bad and has lost the room, I'm just saying based on my experiences growing up with kids who went through AAA and on to OHL, you're overstating how much their AAA experience would alert them to a bad OHL coach...I think playing the games, having the same results and the same talking point from the coach is enough to sour a group of teenagers on their coach.

Ours sons played and coached minor hockey for years. They knew how well they were coached when they played. I worked with guys that coached and had sons that played Triple A teams here in town. One guy played for the Rangers. I use to go to the rink quite often to watch those teams play. The parents of players know who the good coaches are and many move around to have their sons play on those specific teams. It's a bigger deal than most realize. One Ranger father I use to sit with at practice told me they moved to Toronto from a smaller town to get into a higher scouted league and better coaching. They had to be talked into coming to the Rangers. They had other options that were more attractive at the time. Anyway it's a moot point. Nothing to do with the situation at hand.

 

[Logosarejusttargets]

You can spin this anyway you like. My point is these players mostly come from families that can afford to have their sons in AAA hockey. It's no blue colour sport. I believe coaches in the Toronto area get some sort of salary. I was told this. Could be wrong. These kids play a huge amount of games in their respective leagues plus tourneys. They go to the best hockey schools and get top end instructions. It is the top minor hockey there is in Ontario. If anyone knows what decent coaching looks like it's these kids that put in the hours on the ice. They would have to be blind not to see it here. Coaching is hit or miss in every league. Here it's a miss. I blame it directly on MM. Dennis might have been a great assistant somewhere but he sure as hell is no OHL coach. Maybe Dennis thinks the players are out to get him canned? I doubt that but MM lets him carry on like it's all on the players. This season is a wash anyway. Hardly worth the effort.

Some AAA coaches get 20-25k plus other incentives to coach in the GTHL

 

[LostRangers]

I'm disappointed and frustrated. There is a LOT of talent on this team but it doesn't seem their talent is being optimized.

Up 3-1 and lost 5-4

Once again Hunter and his coaches outcoached our coaches and because of that, the Knights outplayed the Rangers.

It's the same breakout, and same take the puck down the side, same get stuck in the corner with no passing options.

London knew our system and how to thwart it. London's system dominated ours. If there were any adjustments made, they didn't work.

There have seen some good games, but there is no consistency, no spark, no jump with this team. That's not on the players.

Was going to post a long diatribe ripping Management here as I am not sure we can pin this on coaching. It was the same systems that got us up 3-1 and 4-2. Decided against the verbal diarhea as I just don't think this franchise is worth caring that much to do so.
I am a 20 year STH and I give up.
Saw an AD in the Record this morning for someone's tickets for the balance of the year. Think that might be a better use of my time.

 

[HDogg14]

Some AAA coaches get 20-25k plus other incentives to coach in the GTHL

20-25 in the G is just a starting point...they have seperate budgets just for staff in most cases that would make your eyes pop

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Hamilton moving to Brantford for at least 3 years Here's what an OHL team in Brantford means

 

[bobber]

20-25 in the G is just a starting point...they have seperate budgets just for staff in most cases that would make your eyes pop

Exactly what I heard years ago. Parents of these players are very knowledgeable about what is going on and spend big bucks to push their sons in the direction they think he will benefit the most. When they interview players I am surprised at how many times some say they have played for more than one GTA team. I also find it interesting how mature some of these kids are when interviewed.

 

[HDogg14]

Exactly what I heard years ago. Parents of these players are very knowledgeable about what is going on and spend big bucks to push their sons in the direction they think he will benefit the most. When they interview players I am surprised at how many times some say they have played for more than one GTA team. I also find it interesting how mature some of these kids are when interviewed.

That's exactly it. I'm fortunate to coach AAA hockey and when we take our boys to the Marlies classic or other G tournaments it's fascinating to speak with the other coaches and here the stories and experiences they have. Makes you realize the that the "issues" we have don't even compare to the backdoor politics and ethics the G brings. Kids are always really respectful because the standard and core values those systems have is second to none. Doesn't mean you can't develop elsewhere, as we all know talent will always rise to the top. That said, you want to be elite, the G is your ticket.

 

[sbpointer]

The other sad scenario. London and Ottawa are still in rebuild mode and are in contention to 'go for it" as we say next year. The Storm are ahead of the Rangers and sold off. Well coached team find ways to win. The only bright lights are the players like Pinelli driving some offense. Kid must be as frustrated as hell with Dennis and his minions running this outfit.

I feel like Pinelli is going the route of succeed in spite of the coach.
It's crazy how much the radio broadcast buys the non sense too.
I get they are around the org a lot and walk a fine line so myself put in that situation I would just let the callers do the work.
The amount Pope was ringing the CD gong after last nights loss players should just start answering every question with " why dont you ask Chris? "
It will be the Rangers 2023 version of "I'm just here so I don't get fined"

The fact they assembled this group of players and failed to give them a compitent coach is a huge blunder and to keep doubling down and not addressing the problem is a more colasal error.

You are still in a playoff spot. Erie just switched coaches outside the playoffs. It's not too late..

 

[RangerNation]

I get they are around the org a lot and walk a fine line so myself put in that situation I would just let the callers do the work.

You are still in a playoff spot. Erie just switched coaches outside the playoffs. It's not too late..

Whenever a caller talks down about the team or coach, Farwell usually follows with "Oh I don't know about that, they won that game against good team" or "OH COME ON! THAT'S JUST CRAZY TALK" He never actually has a discussion, he just reacts and goes onto the next caller.

I am all for chaos right now so it would be great to see Erie leapfrog Kitchener for the last playoff spot. If that happens after they fired their coach mid season, I expect a whole new set of faces at the next AGM. Pathetic.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Had so much I wanted to say but basically its all the same from this entire season. When's the Jays first spring training game on TV?

 

[GeoBlue]

Was going to post a long diatribe ripping Management here as I am not sure we can pin this on coaching. It was the same systems that got us up 3-1 and 4-2. Decided against the verbal diarhea as I just don't think this franchise is worth caring that much to do so.
I am a 20 year STH and I give up.
Saw an AD in the Record this morning for someone's tickets for the balance of the year. Think that might be a better use of my time.

Go ahead and post your diatribe. Must be good if you only signed up on these boards a week ago? ;-)

 

[bobber]

Whenever a caller talks down about the team or coach, Farwell usually follows with "Oh I don't know about that, they won that game against good team" or "OH COME ON! THAT'S JUST CRAZY TALK" He never actually has a discussion, he just reacts and goes onto the next caller.

I am all for chaos right now so it would be great to see Erie leapfrog Kitchener for the last playoff spot. If that happens after they fired their coach mid season, I expect a whole new set of faces at the next AGM. Pathetic.

I feel something drastic has to happen down at the old Aud before the powers that be finally decide enough is enough. They really have to go back to when the attendance was over half what it is today before that happens. At the moment they seem happy with the coaching and scouting staff. Both have been less than stellar. It has come down now to publicly blaming the players. MM seems fine with it.

 

[Habsrule]

I get it that the Rangers are city owned and their main goal is their bottom line. They are in it to make a profit and that firing MM and CD is the worst financial decision that they can make. The thing is you are talking about either missing the playoffs or getting knocked out in the first round this year. Also I’m not even so sure if the Rangers could take a top team to six games to have that third home playoff game revenue.

Sometimes you just need to cut your losses and take one, or in this case two steps back to go more steps forward. Start off by hiring an experienced coach whether it be from the CHL, AHL or even NHL level (assistant coach maybe). Surround them by assistant coaches who have played full OHL careers or even better if they have played in the pros. Nothing beats experience and experience brings instant respect.

For drafting look to pick Ontario kids in the first few rounds. I get swinging for the fences in Hage and Longacre but if they don’t report then it is a huge waste of a pick. Start swinging for the fences in the mid to late rounds. Look to draft players who play with heart. When you build a team full of hard workers then they are much harder to play against. Plus when rookies see veterans working hard then it sets the standard for them as well.

Under the current regime they will be lucky to play three playoff home games this year, highly doubtful next year and maybe be a fringe playoff team the next year. That’s very few home playoff games to produce more revenue. Go spend money now and play the long game financially.

 

[bobber]

Heard an interesting tidbit this morning regarding the Rangers but have to wait to see if it is a fact.

 

[Jives]

Heard an interesting tidbit this morning regarding the Rangers but have to wait to see if it is a fact.

Please fire CD. Please fire CD. Please fire CD.

 

[sbpointer]

Heard an interesting tidbit this morning regarding the Rangers but have to wait to see if it is a fact.

Did this tidbit have any hint of timeline it might become public knowledge? The world wants to know!

 

[ZTKL]

The Coach is gone, wooo

Condolences to him though, seemed like a good enough guy