Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread

[Coaches Coroner]

Goal 3 is primarily on Harper imo. Andonovski engages and chase player behind the net, to the perimeter along the boards; Harper is the lone D in front of the net, not engaged with anyone, wanders into the corner and stares at it leaving 2 Sting open. Some blame on the forward for missing an assignment, but as an OA D watching the play, you just can't be making horrible reads. Outside of 1 playoff game last year, I've really not been a fan of Harper outside of as a depth fill in.

I like the push back more than in the past, but I think we're going to have to add a tough customer similar to McSorley in London last year, just ideally not an OA for that kind of role player unless it's a Mutter+ type.

 

[RangerNation]

I mean 67-1 is still a possibility right? Yeesh.

 

[Tyler8525]

what a dissapointment

 

[EvenSteven]

what a dissapointment

At least they finished the game on a positive.

 

[Tyler8525]

At least they finished the game on a positive.

your right . What a game

 

[GeoBlue]

Quiet board here today. All this talk about "contending" only to come up with that stinker last night. It's early, peeps, better to stink now than during the stretch to the playoffs.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Last night's game in OS was a much better effort and could have gone either way. It wasn't for lack of trying.

Some takeaways........PP is a work in progress but is more than last year's ring around the rosy. Much more movement and yes, big guy in front of the net (Swick).

Shots.........Rangers outshot OS in all three periods for a total of 39 to 26.

Zidlicky......might just see a great year from him if he keeps it up.

Rehkopf....his PP goal was a cruise missile into the top corner of the net. More of those please.

Tough love.........as a few of us have noted, there's need for an answer to guys like Lawrence.

Rough start......it's way too early for concern. New coach....new systems....take time.

 

[Millpond]

Last night's game in OS was a much better effort and could have gone either way. It wasn't for lack of trying.

Some takeaways........PP is a work in progress but is more than last year's ring around the rosy. Much more movement and yes, big guy in front of the net (Swick).

Shots.........Rangers outshot OS in all three periods for a total of 39 to 26.

Zidlicky......might just see a great year from him if he keeps it up.

Rehkopf....his PP goal was a cruise missile into the top corner of the net. More of those please.

Tough love.........as a few of us have noted, there's need for an answer to guys like Lawrence.

Rough start......it's way too early for concern. New coach....new systems....take time.

TBH, Nic Chenard played a huge part in the win last night. His stop in the waning minutes, on a point blank shot, was awesome .

The Attack were hemmed in their own end many times.

Your Rangers had a merciless forecheck going from the start, and great speed throughout .

Also kept shots to the perimeter for the most part .

The few times the Attack were able to sneak someone to the blue paint, they seemed to capitalize. The game winning goal was a pure fluke.

It appears that Kaleb Lawrence, if he can remain healthy, will put opposing teams in fits.

He's the best part of 3 seasons behind everyone else, almost a 19 yr old sophomore.

I expect the Midwest will be a dogfight all season long.

Last night's game was exciting start to finish. Everyone on both sides played hard.

A bounce or two the other way and the Rangers earn the win .

 

[K2]

Rough start......it's way too early for concern.

Early days indeed and there is considerable promise already.

Wish:
- Mesar reports to both fill the net and serve as a catalyst for production throughout the offense.

Existing concerns approaching confirmation:
- We'd benefit by upgrading 3rd OA Harper.
- We'll eventually need to add a top G (perhaps sooner than later).
- Surely need to have one mature, gritty skater to succeed in the West.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I've really liked Brzustewicz's game so far. Really well rounded, great poise.

I will pay Matt Sop 100$ if he learns to keep his feet moving rather than stutter stopping to look for loose kickable pucks by November. Keep your stick on the ice, keep your feet and momentum going; kicking the puck to your stick might look cool but constantly looking for it makes him a lot slower than he should be.

A lot hinges on Mesar. The additions we need to make to be real contenders come playoff time will be much more affordable if he's here. If he's here, we can maybe use that OA spot on D. Move Harper for a guy that is going to be rock solid in your top 4 (preferably a physical, defense first type), put Motew with Anodnovski.

If Mesar doesn't come, I would think Logan Morrison is the OA target, maybe give them similar to what they gave for X.

 

[EvenSteven]

A lot hinges on Mesar. The additions we need to make to be real contenders come playoff time will be much more affordable if he's here. If he's here, we can maybe use that OA spot on D. Move Harper for a guy that is going to be rock solid in your top 4 (preferably a physical, defense first type), put Motew with Anodnovski.

If Mesar doesn't come, I would think Logan Morrison is the OA target, maybe give them similar to what they gave for X.

Just a thought:

I still think Mesar comes. But if he doesn’t come, and if he doesn’t that means he certainly won’t come next year, how about doing a big trade for both Morrison and Grushnikov?

I liked what I saw of him on the backend in the post season. He’d be a top end D.

Then we look around for that third line veteran “character” player to keep the opposition honest.

 

[GeoBlue]

Just a thought:

I still think Mesar comes. But if he doesn’t come, and if he doesn’t that means he certainly won’t come next year, how about doing a big trade for both Morrison and Grushnikov?

I liked what I saw of him on the backend in the post season. He’d be a top end D.

Then we look around for that third line veteran “character” player to keep the opposition honest.

I don't even want to think about that right now. I know it's early, but I have been disappointed in our vets. The bright spots have been Rehkopf, Zidlicky, the 2 new D and maybe Sop and Parsons. I would have hoped to see Serpa, valade and company with a bit more fire. As I said, it is still early but hard to access the team until the vets pick it up.

 

[EvenSteven]

Early days indeed and there is considerable promise already.

Wish:
- Mesar reports to both fill the net and serve as a catalyst for production throughout the offense.

Existing concerns approaching confirmation:
- We'd benefit by upgrading 3rd OA Harper.
- We'll eventually need to add a top G (perhaps sooner than later).
- Surely need to have one mature, gritty skater to succeed in the West.

It may be a little early to think about an upgrade on Parsons.
But it’s worth keeping an eye on.

I’d be more inclined to monitor Vandenberg. Should Parsons falter or get hurt, we’ll need a goalie who we’re confident in to take over.

I’m all for acquiring an ‘03 G on the cheap to back up Parsons who’ll both push him and to take the reins if it gets to that.

Who is this year’s Mario Culina?

 

[rangersblues]

I don't even want to think about that right now. I know it's early, but I have been disappointed in our vets. The bright spots have been Rehkopf, Zidlicky, the 2 new D and maybe Sop and Parsons. I would have hoped to see Serpa, valade and company with a bit more fire. As I said, it is still early but hard to access the team until the vets pick it up.

I was thinking the same thing. Possibly wait for the younger guys time instead of pushing in what is a highly competitive year.

 

[KFawcett]

I mean 67-1 is still a possibility right? Yeesh.

RangerNation I know you said that tongue in cheek but I'm still chuckling the reason being with the way the West looks and especially Mid West I'm expecting many games like Saturday night hard fought and can go either way. Many games are going to end on a lucky bounce one way or the other. We fans should get our monies worth of excitement this year.

 

[Torts]

Brzustewicz and Zidlicky were the most noticeable on Friday night in my opinion. Pinelli being unavailable for 17 minutes was unfortunate but nice to see him stand up for his teammates.

At the end of the day it's early, hopefully Mesar reports and Hamara acclimates more as the season goes on.

 

[RangerNation]

RangerNation I know you said that tongue in cheek but I'm still chuckling the reason being with the way the West looks and especially Mid West I'm expecting many games like Saturday night hard fought and can go either way. Many games are going to end on a lucky bounce one way or the other. We fans should get our monies worth of excitement this year.

Haha yeah. Id put money on the OHL being won in the Midwest this season.

 

[sbpointer]

The Rangers are gonna be fine...
If they are 0-10 then maybe start to sweat a bit...

 

[rangersblues]

Haha yeah. Id put money on the OHL being won in the Midwest this season.

You might be overlooking Flint

 

[RangerNation]

You might be overlooking Flint

I'm not. They could win it all. There are 3 potentials in the midwest and 1 in the west. Just playing the odds.

 

[OHL4Life]

I'm not. They could win it all. There are 3 potentials in the midwest and 1 in the west. Just playing the odds.

i could hear the argument that the three teams are better then flint, but i think flint will have a way easier schedule.

 

[EvenSteven]

i could hear the argument that the three teams are better then flint, but i think flint will have a way easier schedule.

Same deal as the 17-18 Greyhounds. Far and away regular season conference champs but in all actuality, were on par with a couple Midwest teams.

They had an easy schedule that year. Not only playing a weaker west division, but having extra games vs bottom feeders Sudbury and North Bay while the Midwest were beating up on each other all season.

I’m not saying Flint can’t get to the final, but I have them on par with the big three in the Midwest.

The Soo got smacked around by Owen Sound and Kitchener that year barely getting to the final. If Flint gets to the final, they’ll have to go through the Midwest too and it don’t be easy.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Brzustewicz and Zidlicky were the most noticeable on Friday night in my opinion. Pinelli being unavailable for 17 minutes was unfortunate but nice to see him stand up for his teammates.

At the end of the day it's early, hopefully Mesar reports and Hamara acclimates more as the season goes on.

A player like Pinelli should not be standing up for his team mate by fighting. Those 17 minutes were noticeable (to say the least) and (a) he could have been hurt and out for several games (b) he's not on the ice where the team needs him to be.

It's already been said but Rangers need a Mike Duco type of player who will give opposing players second thoughts when it comes to blind side hits etc.

 

[OHL4Life]

Same deal as the 17-18 Greyhounds. Far and away regular season conference champs but in all actuality, were on par with a couple Midwest teams.

They had an easy schedule that year. Not only playing a weaker west division, but having extra games vs bottom feeders Sudbury and North Bay while the Midwest were beating up on each other all season.

I’m not saying Flint can’t get to the final, but I have them on par with the big three in the Midwest.

The Soo got smacked around by Owen Sound and Kitchener that year barely getting to the final. If Flint gets to the final, they’ll have to go through the Midwest too and it don’t be easy.

oh for sure, im just referring to the regular season standings. playoffs are a different beast

 

[dirty12]

Haha yeah. Id put money on the OHL being won in the Midwest this season.

The central might be the best division top to bottom.
But the OHL is probably won by the team willing to give up the most future assets