Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread

[ohloutsider]

Some may argue that MM manufactured the run in 17-18 when he traded his way into contention starting with the Logan Stanley trade and ending at that trade deadline.

He brought in three top six forwards:
Kole Sherwood
Givani Smith
Logan Brown.

Two top four D:
Logan Stanley
Evan McEneny

He mortgaged the future big time for that run. Massive picks and our 16 year old 1st rounder the other way in those deals.

You could argue that this is a prime year to manufacture a contender. The only true contender ( right now) in the West is Flint. Now if Windsor gets back Johnston and makes some moves they are right there as well but they need Johnston before they ever make a move to buy. MM is getting out in front of the pack and is not all that bad of a plan. Why not?

 

[Coaches Coroner]

For me, the jury is still out. I would’ve shored up the back end ahead of trading for an overage goalie. MM better not be done. Costantini played behind a whole lot better defence last year than he will this year if moves aren’t made to bring in a couple defensive defenseman.

An OHL champion goalie is pretty good. I feel like you do this knowing Mesar is coming, elminating the need of adding a top OA forward. D I think there will be some part-swapping; I like the depth and the pieces, I just don't like how some of them fit together.

Stay at home D are generally not that hard to get, and if we move a body out (Motew for me), in dampens the impact on the trade chest.

I also like the goaltending depth with this; if one goes down in the playoffs theoretically the other can play (we saw Parsons do it against London last year), with Vandenberg as a back up in those cases. It also means we aren't running Parsons ragged through the season and pinning our hopes on him in the playoffs, worn out. I don't see it as tandem, I see a 1A/1C type thing. Parsons is an ok starter, Constani is a legit proven winning starter, both of them should be able to carry their own weight and then some. Parsons maybe starts more than a normal backup, but Constantini carries the majority (60-40ish), leaving both of them more likely to be healthy and rested for the playoffs.

The pieces in front of the goalie still have a lot of work to do in learning how to play together as a team though.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Wonder what it means for Harper and Vandenberg. Harper could be serviceable as an OA but I cant really see a team going out of their way to take him. With Vandenberg I guess it's nice to have a 3rd

 

[Rangers True Blue]

From yesterday....Oct 12. Isn't it up to Hughes? Talks continue with Mesar and his agent. What's there to talk about? Hughes and therefore, the Canadiens want Mesar in Kitchener. Interestingly enough, other than hearing that final cuts from Laval will happen before their first game which is tomorrow. Crickets on Mesar today.

Kitchener Is The Preference

If it were up to Hughes, Mesar would be lining up with the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL.

Should Mesar be loaned to Kitchener, he would get prime usage on a nightly basis and would instantly become their most prominent forward right from the jump. The Canadiens could also make the request that he continue developing at a lower level with prime minutes at centre, rather than as a winger. That’s an advantage that should not be undersold; as Mesar would be able to focus on optimizing his performance in such a pivotal role, pun intended,

It would make for a very interesting environment where Mesar would be able to further refine his offensive game as well, in a less physically demanding setting. He could then be recalled to join the Laval Rocket at the end of the season if Kitchener fails to make the playoffs or is eliminated early.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

An OHL champion goalie is pretty good. I feel like you do this knowing Mesar is coming, elminating the need of adding a top OA forward. D I think there will be some part-swapping; I like the depth and the pieces, I just don't like how some of them fit together.

Stay at home D are generally not that hard to get, and if we move a body out (Motew for me), in dampens the impact on the trade chest.

I also like the goaltending depth with this; if one goes down in the playoffs theoretically the other can play (we saw Parsons do it against London last year), with Vandenberg as a back up in those cases. It also means we aren't running Parsons ragged through the season and pinning our hopes on him in the playoffs, worn out. I don't see it as tandem, I see a 1A/1C type thing. Parsons is an ok starter, Constani is a legit proven winning starter, both of them should be able to carry their own weight and then some. Parsons maybe starts more than a normal backup, but Constantini carries the majority (60-40ish), leaving both of them more likely to be healthy and rested for the playoffs.

The pieces in front of the goalie still have a lot of work to do in learning how to play together as a team though.

I have the same feeling about Mesar. I just posted an article from yesterday that outlined why Hughes wanted Mesar in Kitchener. It totally made sense and was in line with the Canadiens development plan. If indeed, Mesar is heading this way soon, grabbing the #1 OHL goalie from last year (seasoned and tested in big games) is a smart move now before other teams get the same idea.

Also in Brown's article today, the Ranger players are obviously no happier than we are with their start this year. They know they need to ramp it up and adjust quicker to Coach Dennis' systems and game plan. For those who aren't sticking to the script. then perhaps it's time for a trade...

 

[sbpointer]

Take it from a Knights fan you MUST have a capable third to be a contender.
See March thru elimination of last years knights for some support on that

EDIT: meant to be replying to this:
MatthewsMoustache said:
Wonder what it means for Harper and Vandenberg. Harper could be serviceable as an OA but I cant really see a team going out of their way to take him. With Vandenberg I guess it's nice to have a 3rd

 

[Jawk]

Not sure how much you all are hoping Constantini plays, last year the Bulldogs never played him in back to backs during the regular season.

 

[GeoBlue]

Not sure how much you all are hoping Constantini plays, last year the Bulldogs never played him in back to backs during the regular season.

I would think that is par for course for most teams with a capable BU.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Not sure how much you all are hoping Constantini plays, last year the Bulldogs never played him in back to backs during the regular season.

Parsons is good enough to shoulder those. I think not wearing guy is part of how this can work ok.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Mesar is not listed on the Laval Rocket roster.

 

[Habsrule]

I love this trade for the Rangers. It makes so much sense to get the head start. The team has gotten off to a really bad start and they just massively upgraded their goaltending. If Mesar comes then it will massively upgrade their scoring.

I think the biggest beneficial factor is even after this trade today, that the Rangers don’t play well this season is that Constantini can be traded to a contender at the trade deadline. That is plan B in my mind for the season.

 

[HockeyPops]

If Kitchener gets to plan B, I suspect Costantini's numbers will look a lot less appealing at the trade deadline to the remaining contenders.

 

[RangerNation]

If Kitchener gets to plan B, I suspect Costantini's numbers will look a lot less appealing at the trade deadline to the remaining contenders.

I vote for plan A

 

[Coaches Coroner]

If Kitchener gets to plan B, I suspect Costantini's numbers will look a lot less appealing at the trade deadline to the remaining contenders.

If we go plan B, he didn't cost much and we have enough assets to more than make up for what was spent...selling was something I brought up tongue in cheek, I highly doubt that happens.

Everyone should have access to Plan B, but that's outside of hockey.

 

[Gondrex]

I love this trade for the Rangers. It makes so much sense to get the head start. The team has gotten off to a really bad start and they just massively upgraded their goaltending. If Mesar comes then it will massively upgrade their scoring.

I think the biggest beneficial factor is even after this trade today, that the Rangers don’t play well this season is that Constantini can be traded to a contender at the trade deadline. That is plan B in my mind for the season.

Regarding the Plan B scenario, of course his trade value, and whether or not their would even be a willing partner is going to depend on Constantini's performance in the first half of this season.

A big reason why he was acquired in the first place was because of Vandenberg's health. Mono is not a short term illness for many people. I can speak to that. I was sick for a month. Mind you, that was many decades ago. I feel sorry for the guy. Because of his circumstances (the fact that he has a potentially long term illness and also the position itself that he plays - a back-up goaltender, which was an immediate positional need), who knows how this affects his hockey future down the road.

 

[RangerNation]

Mesar is not listed on the Laval Rocket roster.

Not sure where you found this, but he is literally the first player listed on their website. Team – Rocket Laval

 

[Jives]

Laval

17F
7D
2G

So 3 or 4 more cuts to make on F and Laval is set. I can’t see with the GM of Montreal stating he thinks the best option for Mesar is the Rangers that he doesn’t end up here soon.

 

[bobber]

Although it's not his decision Mesar says he can play in the AHL. Coach says he has to learn not to hang on to the puck so much. Needs to learn to use his teammates. Apparently, he is a fast skater, so speed is a given. Given his size 165 pounds one would think he needs to beef up to play in the AHL with bigger more aggressive experienced pros. I just hope they don't keep him there until he gets injured then make a decision to send him here.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Not sure where you found this, but he is literally the first player listed on their website. Team – Rocket Laval

Same place as you have just noted. As of last night (before midnight), Mesar was NOT on that list.
So it was literally changed after I saw it at some point...

 

[RangerNation]

Same place as you have just noted. As of last night (before midnight), Mesar was NOT on that list.
So it was literally changed after I saw it at some point...

Ah gotcha.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Although it's not his decision Mesar says he can play in the AHL. Coach says he has to learn not to hang on to the puck so much. Needs to learn to use his teammates. Apparently, he is a fast skater, so speed is a given. Given his size 165 pounds one would think he needs to beef up to play in the AHL with bigger more aggressive experienced pros. I just hope they don't keep him there until he gets injured then make a decision to send him here.

From what I've read from more than one source, Hughes and Mesar's agent have been in "talks" that were still ongoing yesterday. As I noted, as of last night, Mesar was not listed on Laval's roster. This morning, he is listed.

Looks like Hughes is going to give Mesar every chance (as he has previously stated he would) to stay in the Pros. We'll see how that goes. Are they just prolonging the inevitable? And agreed, are they opening him up to injury?

 

[RangerNation]

Mesar starting in Laval tonight, 4th line:

H.-Pinard-Stephens-Ylönen
Richard-Belzile-Martel
Simoneau-Gignac-Bourque
Condotta-Mysak-Mesar

Extras: Teasdale, Saulnier, Dubé

 

[Nico Cauzuki]

im with Hughes i much rather see Mesar collect points and be one of the main guys in Kitchener then be a 4th liner in Laval i can see him joining you guys after 2/3 games in the ahl

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Little silly that he's not here, but in the off season I predicted late October/early November arrival.

Gotta wonder if money, either Mesar/his family financials, or his agents, mean he's more earning focused that purely development focussed perhaps? It wouldn't be the first time a player who is borderline pro (ie. he can hang, but he won't get the same kind of ice and ability to dominate playing his game as in junior) was rushed for personal monetary reasons.

 

[GeoBlue]

Little silly that he's not here, but in the off season I predicted late October/early November arrival.

Gotta wonder if money, either Mesar/his family financials, or his agents, mean he's more earning focused that purely development focussed perhaps? It wouldn't be the first time a player who is borderline pro (ie. he can hang, but he won't get the same kind of ice and ability to dominate playing his game as in junior) was rushed for personal monetary reasons.

I would think there are ways to make word a contract so that he can still play in Kitchener while getting paid. For example, give him contract starting in 2023 with a signing bonus built in.