Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread
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EvenSteven
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My starting lineup for opening night:
-with no Mesar
-if everyone is back from camps
-assuming everyone on the roster is healthy
-assuming there are no roster moves between now and opening night.
(In other words, my depth chart on opening night).
Rehkopf. Pinelli. Fishman.
Martin. Serpa. Valade
Swick. A LeBlanc. Pugliese.
Zidlicky. Sop. Mercer.
Schmidt. Brzustewicz.
Hamara. Motew.
J LeBlanc. Harper.
Parsons.
Vandenberg.
Fishman gets a shot as the “third” on the top line. His motivation is to keep MM from wanting to trade for an elite winger at the deadline. Tall order. He is an unknown. He could find success in this slot or he could find himself grouped on the same level as Sop. But let’s see what he can do. Rehkopf, even though he’s a center, joins Pinelli on Line 1 as the top two elite forwards on the team.
That second line played great in the postseason last year. I start the season with them together again hoping they rekindle that success. For all intents and purposes, this is also a Line 1.
That ‘04 group making up the third line, in their “third year” of eligibility, gets an opportunity to have breakthrough years. Since they’re on the third line, they’ll rarely see the opposition’s top line or top pairing. Certainly no reason this line can’t excel.
This fourth line is the best from our remaining roster players. For me, they should have some success. They should push the third line for minutes and therefore, will ensure we have scoring from the bottom six. Of course, scratches will be subbed in here and there.
I give Harper every opportunity to become what Justin Nolet was for us last year. If he can become that player, that, along with J LeBlanc and Motew excelling as veteran D, may allow us to stick with him as the third OA. Our third pairing could be as solid as our 2nd pairing. But if one of Motew or LeBlanc falter, MM may be forced to upgrade that OA slot. The play of Hollett and/or Andonovski could also trigger an upgrade on that third OA spot. Making it impossible to keep them out of the lineup could see MM choose to go with a F as the third OA.
Healthy scratches:
Miseljevic -
Numbers. I chose Pugliese over him as I like Pugliese’s tenacity and enthusiasm more.
Morey -
I know it was just one viewing at home, but to me he seems small and light. Sure, he worked hard. But I think he’s behind 05’s Zidlicky and Mercer.
Bottineau -
I think it would be nice to see this guy play regularly on the fourth line. But our depth up front and his age might see him split the season between Rangers and JrB. His best chance at getting decent minutes is if there is a thinning of the forward group.
Hollett -
Numbers. I see him as a six or seven on this team depending on roster shuffles, and what we do with the third OA spot.
Andonovski -
Numbers. Certainly belongs in the lineup. In an “all in” year when you need a deep D, guys like he and Hollett will get their minutes and round out the depth on D quite nicely.
Oh, and my leadership group:
C- Pinelli
A-Valade
A-Schmidt
A-Serpa
I keep an A available should we acquire a veteran with leadership experience between now and the deadline.
I recognize we’ll contend this year and therefore, we’ll make additions to the team.
I assume Mesar finds his way here. I see us acquiring at least one other quality veteran F via the trade route. Until the D sorts itself out as I stated above, that forward acquisition may or may not be an OA. But he should be a top six player who would perhaps bump someone down to play on the third line giving us three dangerous scoring lines.
As far as our defence goes, the current group of eight have the capability to force MM to stand pat regarding making major additions. Time will tell.

-with no Mesar
-if everyone is back from camps
-assuming everyone on the roster is healthy
-assuming there are no roster moves between now and opening night.
(In other words, my depth chart on opening night).
Rehkopf. Pinelli. Fishman.
Martin. Serpa. Valade
Swick. A LeBlanc. Pugliese.
Zidlicky. Sop. Mercer.
Schmidt. Brzustewicz.
Hamara. Motew.
J LeBlanc. Harper.
Parsons.
Vandenberg.
Fishman gets a shot as the “third” on the top line. His motivation is to keep MM from wanting to trade for an elite winger at the deadline. Tall order. He is an unknown. He could find success in this slot or he could find himself grouped on the same level as Sop. But let’s see what he can do. Rehkopf, even though he’s a center, joins Pinelli on Line 1 as the top two elite forwards on the team.
That second line played great in the postseason last year. I start the season with them together again hoping they rekindle that success. For all intents and purposes, this is also a Line 1.
That ‘04 group making up the third line, in their “third year” of eligibility, gets an opportunity to have breakthrough years. Since they’re on the third line, they’ll rarely see the opposition’s top line or top pairing. Certainly no reason this line can’t excel.
This fourth line is the best from our remaining roster players. For me, they should have some success. They should push the third line for minutes and therefore, will ensure we have scoring from the bottom six. Of course, scratches will be subbed in here and there.
I give Harper every opportunity to become what Justin Nolet was for us last year. If he can become that player, that, along with J LeBlanc and Motew excelling as veteran D, may allow us to stick with him as the third OA. Our third pairing could be as solid as our 2nd pairing. But if one of Motew or LeBlanc falter, MM may be forced to upgrade that OA slot. The play of Hollett and/or Andonovski could also trigger an upgrade on that third OA spot. Making it impossible to keep them out of the lineup could see MM choose to go with a F as the third OA.
Healthy scratches:
Miseljevic -
Numbers. I chose Pugliese over him as I like Pugliese’s tenacity and enthusiasm more.
Morey -
I know it was just one viewing at home, but to me he seems small and light. Sure, he worked hard. But I think he’s behind 05’s Zidlicky and Mercer.
Bottineau -
I think it would be nice to see this guy play regularly on the fourth line. But our depth up front and his age might see him split the season between Rangers and JrB. His best chance at getting decent minutes is if there is a thinning of the forward group.
Hollett -
Numbers. I see him as a six or seven on this team depending on roster shuffles, and what we do with the third OA spot.
Andonovski -
Numbers. Certainly belongs in the lineup. In an “all in” year when you need a deep D, guys like he and Hollett will get their minutes and round out the depth on D quite nicely.
Oh, and my leadership group:
C- Pinelli
A-Valade
A-Schmidt
A-Serpa
I keep an A available should we acquire a veteran with leadership experience between now and the deadline.
I recognize we’ll contend this year and therefore, we’ll make additions to the team.
I assume Mesar finds his way here. I see us acquiring at least one other quality veteran F via the trade route. Until the D sorts itself out as I stated above, that forward acquisition may or may not be an OA. But he should be a top six player who would perhaps bump someone down to play on the third line giving us three dangerous scoring lines.
As far as our defence goes, the current group of eight have the capability to force MM to stand pat regarding making major additions. Time will tell.

Rangers True Blue
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- Aug 2, 2017
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It's hard not to see this lineup but I'm sure CD will have some ideas of his own. Plus, Pinelli hasn't been sent back yet to my knowledge.
I have a feeling that we might see Zidlicky in place of Fishman but that's debatable. Fishman will shine as each game goes on. And I can't even imagine an RPM line should Mesar show. And while that may be putting too many eggs in one basket, it's not hard to see the Martin-Serpa-Valade line being grouped together again.
As for that 3rd line......if Swick and Leblanc can find that chemistry they had on the Admirals, it could be a winner with either Pug, Fishman, or Zidlicky on the wing. Now, the 4th line.....Sop and Mercer plus any one of the young ones has everyone competing for ice time. As it should be!
The addition of Hamara and Brzustewicz has really upped the D corps. Once they settle into CD's vision of D, Rangers are looking great in the backend.
Goalies......we need Parsons to step up and dominate with Vandenburg pushing for net time.
Now the PP units should be interesting. Lots of options for PP1 and 2 especially with Hamara and Brzustewicz in the mix.
Without Mesar.....a contending team.....but with Mesar, that's a game changer for sure. Fingers crossed.
I have a feeling that we might see Zidlicky in place of Fishman but that's debatable. Fishman will shine as each game goes on. And I can't even imagine an RPM line should Mesar show. And while that may be putting too many eggs in one basket, it's not hard to see the Martin-Serpa-Valade line being grouped together again.
As for that 3rd line......if Swick and Leblanc can find that chemistry they had on the Admirals, it could be a winner with either Pug, Fishman, or Zidlicky on the wing. Now, the 4th line.....Sop and Mercer plus any one of the young ones has everyone competing for ice time. As it should be!
The addition of Hamara and Brzustewicz has really upped the D corps. Once they settle into CD's vision of D, Rangers are looking great in the backend.
Goalies......we need Parsons to step up and dominate with Vandenburg pushing for net time.
Now the PP units should be interesting. Lots of options for PP1 and 2 especially with Hamara and Brzustewicz in the mix.
Without Mesar.....a contending team.....but with Mesar, that's a game changer for sure. Fingers crossed.
Gondrex
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- Apr 10, 2017
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I could definitely see your first two lines ES. Fishman has lots of energy and plays bigger than he is. I'm anxious to see how he produces offensively.
The bottom 6 are obviously the challenge. Although one can't necessarily project preseason performance to the regular season, I still like what I see in Zidlicky so far. In my mind, it makes things difficult to create the 3rd and 4th lines when two of your 05's (Rehkopf and Zidlicky) are arguably better than your 04's. So for me, it would be hard to stick either Zidlicky or Swick (04) on the 4th line. Maybe you get one to play the off wing between A LeBlanc (?)
Sop, I still feel is in perhaps the toughest position. No complaint about his work ethic, but that may not be enough as an 03, and to put him on the 4th line won't help the development of younger players of the team's future. I really would like to at least see Bottineau in and out of the line-up on the 4th line. This kid comes to play with a lot of heart from what I've seen so far, and appears to be wanting to learn.
Just not enough openings for the number of forwards, and if Mesar does actually put on the Ranger jersey (who knows now, with the current injury to Nick Suzuki), it would obviously make things even more complicated - and that would be a good thing. At that point, you would have a possible situation where Fishman, Zidlicky, Swick and A. Leblanc are not only battling for a position on the 3rd line, but quite likely one of these guys gets traded. I just can't see any of them on the 4th line of an OHL team.....but that's just my opinion.
On the blueline I've been kinda liking the Schmidt - Hamara, Brzustewicz - Motew combinations, but that's just me. In the end one of the D likely gets traded / released.
Should be interesting here in the near term.
The bottom 6 are obviously the challenge. Although one can't necessarily project preseason performance to the regular season, I still like what I see in Zidlicky so far. In my mind, it makes things difficult to create the 3rd and 4th lines when two of your 05's (Rehkopf and Zidlicky) are arguably better than your 04's. So for me, it would be hard to stick either Zidlicky or Swick (04) on the 4th line. Maybe you get one to play the off wing between A LeBlanc (?)
Sop, I still feel is in perhaps the toughest position. No complaint about his work ethic, but that may not be enough as an 03, and to put him on the 4th line won't help the development of younger players of the team's future. I really would like to at least see Bottineau in and out of the line-up on the 4th line. This kid comes to play with a lot of heart from what I've seen so far, and appears to be wanting to learn.
Just not enough openings for the number of forwards, and if Mesar does actually put on the Ranger jersey (who knows now, with the current injury to Nick Suzuki), it would obviously make things even more complicated - and that would be a good thing. At that point, you would have a possible situation where Fishman, Zidlicky, Swick and A. Leblanc are not only battling for a position on the 3rd line, but quite likely one of these guys gets traded. I just can't see any of them on the 4th line of an OHL team.....but that's just my opinion.
On the blueline I've been kinda liking the Schmidt - Hamara, Brzustewicz - Motew combinations, but that's just me. In the end one of the D likely gets traded / released.
Should be interesting here in the near term.
Last edited:
Gondrex
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- Apr 10, 2017
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If you're interested in predictions, here is some good reading:
2022/23 OHL Preview Part 2 - Western Conference
2022/23 OHL Preview Part 1 - Eastern Conference
OHL Media Poll: Picks and predictions for the coming season – Ontario Hockey League
......and Brock Otten's players to watch this season (one from each team):
https://twitter.com/BrockOtten?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author
2022/23 OHL Preview Part 2 - Western Conference
2022/23 OHL Preview Part 1 - Eastern Conference
OHL Media Poll: Picks and predictions for the coming season – Ontario Hockey League
......and Brock Otten's players to watch this season (one from each team):
https://twitter.com/BrockOtten?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author
| Francesco Pinelli loaned to the Kitchener Rangers from the L.A. Kings |
| The L.A. Kings announced Wednesday that 19-year-old forward Francesco Pinelli has been loaned to the Kitchener Rangers. |
I beleive Hamara, Pinelli, Serpa, Martin and Motew should all be back....i do not recall hearing about Schmidt yet
Rangers True Blue
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I heard mid-October though I did see him doing some solo skating exercises after the team scrimmage games during pre-season.
EvenSteven
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So that’s everyone. Everyone with Mesar a possibility.
Outside of the Pugliese injury, a full lineup for opening night.
Rangers True Blue
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So some say that Mesar made a case to stay in the Pros in last night's Leafs 3-0 win. And yes, he made a slick move along the boards, deked, and got a shot on net. One of his only 2 shots on net in the game.
What we're not seeing is clips when Mesar was flattened by far stronger and heavier players. Is he going to be an exciting player....some say he is now....but...he needs to bulk up if he's to survive the Pros IMHO.
What we're not seeing is clips when Mesar was flattened by far stronger and heavier players. Is he going to be an exciting player....some say he is now....but...he needs to bulk up if he's to survive the Pros IMHO.
Coaches Coroner
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SN showed a clip of 6'7 Curtis Douglas letting up on him as he went east to west over the blueline. He's got some serious skill that's for sure, but he still looks like he might get lit up pretty badly in the AHL.
Gondrex
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I saw how close he came to being steam-rolled too - Robin almost became ribbon. I was thinking that surely as a fan, if I can see this, one would think that Montreal management would recognize this.
Niagara Kitchener trade TRADE: IceDogs Acquire Andrew and Jacob LeBlanc from Kitchener – Niagara IceDogs
Matttheleaf
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Coaches Coroner
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Hmm, can't say I'm a big fan of the move. I didn't get a great look at J Leblanc, but I liked how he was trending last season at least. How was A Leblanc in pre season?
He was meh.
I think this was the right move. Didn’t think it would be able to be something they could get done (finding a team that has room for both that they’re willing to go to). Both forward and defence are. log jammed and it didn’t look like there was room for either to move up the lineup.
It’s unfortunate that they didn’t pan out. Have to think we’re looking at this situation differently without covid. They’d have been going into last season with a year under their belts which we’ve seen time and time again how much difference it makes. Wish both players the best in Niagara.
Hopefully Montreal has learned from their mistakes in the past. They’ve rushed players into professional hockey a bunch of times (Galchenyuk, Mete, Caufield off the top of my head) and just because a player has the skill level doesn’t mean they’re ready.
With the move now I would go into Friday night like:
Valade-Pinelli-Serpa
Martin-Rehkopf-Fishman
Zidlicky-Sop-Swick
Misaljevic-Mercer-Bottineau
ex. Morey
inj. Pugliese
Hamara-Schmidt
Brzustewicz-Motew
Andonovski-Harper
ex. Hollett
Parsons
Vandenberg
Fishman gets a shot to prove himself in the top 6. Unless he really stands out he’s unfortunately the odd guy out should Mesar get sent here. If it doesn’t work out for Fishman in the top 6 I’d like Zidlicky to get a shot. He’s looked real good throughout the preseason
Valade-Pinelli-Serpa
Martin-Rehkopf-Fishman
Zidlicky-Sop-Swick
Misaljevic-Mercer-Bottineau
ex. Morey
inj. Pugliese
Hamara-Schmidt
Brzustewicz-Motew
Andonovski-Harper
ex. Hollett
Parsons
Vandenberg
Fishman gets a shot to prove himself in the top 6. Unless he really stands out he’s unfortunately the odd guy out should Mesar get sent here. If it doesn’t work out for Fishman in the top 6 I’d like Zidlicky to get a shot. He’s looked real good throughout the preseason
EvenSteven
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For the talent that went to Niagara n this deal, I would’ve hoped for at least a second 2nd round pick. But as you said, the complication of having to keep both of them together probably hurt us in this trade.
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