Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread

[Coaches Coroner]

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.

Yep. I know first hand Anthony Stolarz made more than $60,000 in his last OHL season in London likely as a result of a signing bonus.

 

[rangersblues]

It's like watching novice hockey. On the second goal 4 Rangers got trapped in a 10 square foot area at the top of the face of circle. Pathetic.

 

[RangerNation]

I feel like a schmuck thinking this team would contend.

 

[rangersblues]

I feel like a schmuck thinking this team would contend.

I had hopes. Certainly looks like a lot of holes right now.

 

[Billyjack]

No way this team contends, just not good enough. Hung this goalie out to dry as well

 

[EvenSteven]

I had hopes. Certainly looks like a lot of holes right now.

Well ………. at least we’ve shored up the crease.

Now maybe address the real problem?

 

[rangersblues]

Well ………. at least we’ve shored up the crease.

Now maybe address the real problem?

To make a contender right now we're basically building the whole team through trades and mortgaging the future. I don't like doing that unless you have a homegrown core to begin.

 

[TheBlueMonster]

I had hopes. Certainly looks like a lot of holes right now.

I did as well.

Just losing a ton of battles in all areas of the ice. Looking disinterested alot during the game.

Throwing passes away, trying to be cute, poor shot selection from almost everyone.

0-5 is not ideal.

I don't think Serpa and Valade are the types of vets that can lead a team to contending status. I think they're alright but if we could upgrade on one of them especially as O/A's (We've built a nice relationship with hamilton, Logan Morrison would be nice) I'd do it.

Also, I was someone who cut Roman Schmidt a lot of slack last year. Team defence was very young, but honestly I've expected better from him as not just an NHL prospect but someone who was thought of to be the best defencemen by some from his OHL Draft class.

I am not sure if we just aren't running the systems that allow him to have more success but he's someone who needs to find a happy medium for sure.

I thought Matt Sop might be a player preseason the Rangers look to move as he didn't move the needle as much but he's been a nice surprise early on this season.

We're 5 games in. On the radio tonight the talk was about how the rangers played their best 5 minutes of the season in the 3rd period and how that is a positive. Also talk about how it's a long season. And while all of that is true, through the preseason and into these 5 games, I don't have a whole ton of confidence in this team as any type of contender.

Just my two cents.

Happy last weekend of Oktoberfesting everyone.

 

[bobber]

To make a contender right now we're basically building the whole team through trades and mortgaging the future. I don't like doing that unless you have a homegrown core to begin.

If the new coach can magically turn this team into a serious contender this year expect to see him walk across the Grand River without getting his feet wet. As a certain poster said last night" Fox News has better coverage than the Rangers". Our top line looks like a 3rd line on most squads at this point in time. Also, where is the grit. One hit in a game? Schmit is a big D and the best he can muster is a face wash before he jumps out of a scrum. You would think at least one player would throw a massive hit or start a bit of a scrap to spark the rest of the team. Isn't Flint up to bat on Sunday? I feel sorry for the new goalie if they play the same way again. Bit of a rant. Too much Irish in me.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

Enjoy! He's going to light it up.

 

[sbpointer]

FWIW I still think you guys are gonna be ok.
Mesar will be in the lineup soon and worst case scenario you start off 0-9 the new coach gets fired and MM rides in and saves the day... again... except hopefully another pandemic doesn't start.

63 games from now the Rangers will be in first in the division and gearing up for a long playoff run.
If I'm lucky our kids in London will get in and gain a round of playoff rivalry experience and I get 4-5 more games of entertainment.

EDIT: Apparently I'm two minutes slow on the first part of my post

 

[EvenSteven]

If the new coach can magically turn this team into a serious contender this year expect to see him walk across the Grand River without getting his feet wet. As a certain poster said last night" Fox News has better coverage than the Rangers". Our top line looks like a 3rd line on most squads at this point in time. Also, where is the grit. One hit in a game? Schmit is a big D and the best he can muster is a face wash before he jumps out of a scrum. You would think at least one player would throw a massive hit or start a bit of a scrap to spark the rest of the team. Isn't Flint up to bat on Sunday? I feel sorry for the new goalie if they play the same way again. Bit of a rant. Too much Irish in me.

If this team is to contend this year, MM will have to do a repeat of 17-18.

Before today, by my estimation, we were short a couple of veteran defensive d-men and probably three top six forwards.

Before todsy, unless the underachievers come around, I believe we have three top six forwards on this roster in Pinelli, likely Rehkopf, and probably just one somewhere within the group of Valade, Serpa and Martin.

Now with Mesar here, I’d shop for two more top six forwards and two defensive D.

Go big or go home.

Move out who needs to be moved out.

 

[Gondrex]

From prohockeyrumours.com.....

...."However, after seeing limited action on the fourth line with AHL Laval last night, Montreal has decided that the best opportunity for Mesar’s development will be to have him play big minutes in the OHL".

For what it's worth, in that one game he was -1 with two shots on net.

 

[bobber]

If this team is to contend this year, MM will have to do a repeat of 17-18.

Before today, by my estimation, we were short a couple of veteran defensive d-men and probably three top six forwards.

Before todsy, unless the underachievers come around, I believe we have three top six forwards on this roster in Pinelli, likely Rehkopf, and probably just one somewhere within the group of Valade, Serpa and Martin.

Now with Mesar here, I’d shop for two more top six forwards and two defensive D.

Go big or go home.

Move our who needs to be moved out.

From all reports this team looks great in practice. Just doesn't translate to actual games. The Attack did a masterful job of keeping the Rangers to the outside and minimized the effects of their shots. Plus, the Attack goalie was stellar when needed. Now with Mesar coming here I think McKenzie will see what effect that has on the team before he makes another move. They really miss having a playmaker and pest like Petizian. Rehkopf seems to be close but doesn't aggravate opponents the same way.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Maybe my biggest issue is this: this team is just not fun to watch right now. This team has all of the value pieces needed to contend, but it's like a puzzle with shuffled and scattered pieces, with some pieces from a seperate puzzle.
Brutal start. Full stop. I see the potential, I'm just worried about whether or not the coaching staff can get them to reach it...whoever is in charge of the D needs to have a talking to.

Oh and for the love of god stop interviewing Pinelli between periods and asking him the same questions that would drive any player crazy to be asked every. single. time.

One thing that has been in the back of my mind in terms of keeping hope alive, is how Guelphs last championship team was very bad the first half of the season and traded away singularly most talented player in the re-tooling process to build a contender at the deadline. We're 5 games in, there is time to turn this ship around, but it requires urgency on the part of everyone involved.

 

[Antiillafire]

Enjoy! He's going to light it up.

Hopefully he’s playing C and doesn’t get buried on the third line or something

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Hopefully he’s playing C and doesn’t get buried on the third line or something

Would you stop it already. He was playing 4th line RW in the AHL. Whether he's RW or C will depend on his ability. Right now the team is disappointing and if he's good enough, he can step right in on the top line and take that top C job...worst case scenario he's top line RW or 2nd line C, where the top 2 lines get the similar premium minutes. He can also step right into QBing our powerplay.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

No one likes to lose and I can't believe Rangers want to lose. When they actually fought for the puck and began swarming in and out of the OS system, you could see a glimmer of what they could be. But there was no consistency and lots of poor choices, sloppy play, and missed assignments.

I thought the original lineups last night were a head scratcher. Rehkopf on the 3rd line. Seriously? BUT that all changed as the night went on.

The addition of Mesar should add some spark to the team and they had better work their tails off on Sunday. No more excuses. No prisoners. Time to show us what they can do because frankly, they are not playing up to their potential.

And please MM........get us a gritty defender....a Xhekaj if you will....that will make players in the Rangers zone pay the price.

Hopefully he’s playing C and doesn’t get buried on the third line or something

First line all the way....top minutes.....top PP.....the works. Mesar should be pushing to be the top scorer in the OHL. And I'll tell you right now, the Rangers fans will back him all the way.

 

[EvenSteven]

Hopefully he’s playing C and doesn’t get buried on the third line or something

I don’t expect Mesar to play wing. Not yet if at all. I’d start him at center and play him with guys that can keep up with his speed. Then a second line of our remaining (current) top sixers.

Rehkopf. Mesar. Valade.
Martin. Pinelli. Serpa.

(I listed the lines in that order for your benefit)

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Implications of Canadiens Loaning Filip Mesar To Kitchener Rangers

The Montreal Canadiens have loaned Filip Mesar to the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers for the season to continue to develop his offensive game. The club announced that they had loaned their 2022 1st round pick to the Kitchener Rangers on Saturday morning after giving him a trial run in the Laval...

montrealhockeynow.com

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

FWIW, he played his best hockey at centre in the rookie tournament and in the pre-season games he took part in with the Habs.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I don’t expect Mesar to play wing. Not yet if at all. I’d start him at center and play him with guys that can keep up with his speed. Then a second line of our remaining (current) top sixers.

Rehkopf. Mesar. Valade.
Martin. Pinelli. Serpa.

(I listed the lines in that order for your benefit)

If Serpa can play C, I wouldn't be opposed to bumping Pinelli to top line LW to have a loaded top line.

 

[robertmac43]

Exciting to finally have this news confirmed. Got to start turning this terrible start around.

 

[EvenSteven]

If Serpa can play C, I wouldn't be opposed to bumping Pinelli to top line LW to have a loaded top line.

I wouldn’t be surprised if you see this experimented with anyway. Maybe with Rehkopf centring the second line.