Kitchener Rangers 2022-23 Season Thread

[Rangers True Blue]

You can see highlights of the Rangers win over the Storm here:

 

[K2]

And Vandenburg was solid in net yesterday with what I heard was a standout save in the 3rd to keep Guelph at bay. So good news so far!!

Vandenberg was very impressive at times and reliable on a busy day with lots of saves against the capable shooters on Guelph's (all too frequent) PP. Off to a good start!

Very somber game in Ayr with a fitting tribute for Eli Palfreyman and the big hug for Eli's good friend Joseph Serpa at the puck drop had several folks around me in tears.

Should usually be plenty of good seats at the Aud for walkup and visitors this season and anybody on the fence to become a STH has a choice of excellent gold & red seats.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

The Brandon Mashinter connection......Filip Mesar! ME: Dreaming of him in Kitchener...

HOME – Archyde

On Trend Popular Stories Explore more On Brand Beauty Tips and Tricks more beauty secrets On Taste Food & Drinks From Around the World

www.archyde.com

 

[Devin]

Just so you all know I’ll be at the game tonight. Believe behind the end of the rink where Barrie shooting twice could be wrong though.

I’ll be signing autographs at the beer stand 1st intermission since Ik you are all dying to see me

 

[K2]

I have not seen Pinelli for a few games now.

Might be a while yet, he's on the Kings' roster for the Rookie Faceoff tournament Sept. 16-19 (San Jose Sharks hosting).

 

[GeoBlue]

Might be a while yet, he's on the Kings' roster for the Rookie Faceoff tournament Sept. 16-19 (San Jose Sharks hosting).

Yes, but I have not seen him since the 2nd camp scrimmage game. Not there in the 3rd nor in the game in Ayr. Not sure about the 1st exhibition game.

 

[Jives]

He was at 1st ex game but did not play.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Not sure what team that was last night but it wasn't the one I saw last week. Absolutely no energy. No jump. No pushback. No anything. And someone please explain having two D pretending they are forwards on the 4th line.

 

[Gondrex]

Not sure what team that was last night but it wasn't the one I saw last week. Absolutely no energy. No jump. No pushback. No anything. And someone please explain having two D pretending they are forwards on the 4th line.

No question there is a surplus of D-men that Dennis has to come to a decision on. Guess he was trying some of them upfront to see if there was an answer there.

At the same time he appears to be constantly trying out different line combinations, and it certainly showed last night. In many cases players looked lost, passes were off, D-zone coverage wasn't great. I guess this is the time to try things out though.

On the other hand, the Colt's passes were crisp, quick, and their team played with lots of energy. Not sure whether or not their lines last night were similar to last year (if Devin is still on here maybe he can confirm), but the visitors were certainly in mid-season form. Many expect them to be a contending team and if last night is any indication, I could believe it.

We'll see if things are better tonight. Personally I would like to see the two forwards back in the line-up for tonight's match and alternate sitting a D-man or two.....but then again I'm just a fan wanting a chance to see a "W" on the scoreboard .

 

[Devin]

No question there is a surplus of D-men that Dennis has to come to a decision on. Guess he was trying some of them upfront to see if there was an answer there.

At the same time he appears to be constantly trying out different line combinations, and it certainly showed last night. In many cases players looked lost, passes were off, D-zone coverage wasn't great. I guess this is the time to try things out though.

On the other hand, the Colt's passes were crisp, quick, and their team played with lots of energy. Not sure whether or not their lines last night were similar to last year (if Devin is still on here maybe he can confirm), but the visitors were certainly in mid-season form. Many expect them to be a contending team and if last night is any indication, I could believe it.

We'll see if things are better tonight. Personally I would like to see the two forwards back in the line-up for tonight's match and alternate sitting a D-man or two.....but then again I'm just a fan wanting a chance to see a "W" on the scoreboard .

I had so much fun last night in Kitchener , won the 50/50 too it was pretty sick.

Barrie weren’t dressing a few regulars. I was happy with their performance and overall love cheering when the rest of the rink is quiet.

Also got talking to a few of the players at intermission.

Bars were great afterwards too.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Kitchener’s lack of speed is still very apparent. Getting Mesar would give them some much need speed to back off the D.

Barrie was disciplined in clogging the middle lane of the ice and the Rangers did very little to penetrate it. I saw too many dump ins, which is a problem for teams without speed and recovery skills. I hope Dennis adapts that to promote more controlled entries and close puck support. It was easy pickings for Barrie last night.

I’ll forgive the blown coverages as the D playing forward were a bit lost.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Only watched part of the 1st and 3rd. Seems I missed the good part of our game and got to see only the ridiculous amount of odd man opportunities for Barrie. Hopefully this stuff gets ironed out during the rest of pre season.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Much better team effort last night in Barrie. More energy and drive. Both teams battled and shots were pretty much even at the end of the night. 1-0 Rangers in the 1st. 3-1 Rangers in the 2nd. Then in the 3rd, Rangers 3-2 then 4-2 Rangers....4-3.....4-4.....Rangers 5-4......but couldn't hold it in the last 4 minutes of the 3rd. Barrie 6-5

Could have gone either way but 1 for 6 on the PP and Thorton made some key saves.

Hamara 2g 1a Rehkopf 1g 2a Bottineau 1g

Time for Coach Dennis to work on systems etc from now until the 24th.

 

[Gondrex]

Four of the five goals scored by the three new guys, and the other scored by a player in his 2nd year. While I know it's early, and lines are being juggled, it would be nice to see the vets step up.

 

[nelli27]

2022 Montreal Canadiens Top 25 Under 25: #10 Filip Mešár

www-habseyesontheprize-com.cdn.ampproject.org

 

[Gondrex]

2022 Montreal Canadiens Top 25 Under 25: #10 Filip Mešár

www-habseyesontheprize-com.cdn.ampproject.org

Appreciate the link nelli27 - perhaps the best information we have on Mesar yet.
As a Ranger fan there is still the fear in the back of my mind that he is "too good" for the OHL. Perhaps there is also still the outside chance he even goes back to Europe (??).

However I do recognize that a case(s) one could make to have him play in this league, one of them being the depth chart in Laval. In the meantime I'll patiently wait for the decision......yeah right

​

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Appreciate the link nelli27 - perhaps the best information we have on Mesar yet.
As a Ranger fan there is still the fear in the back of my mind that he is "too good" for the OHL. Perhaps there is also still the outside chance he even goes back to Europe (??).

However I do recognize that a case(s) one could make to have him play in this league, one of them being the depth chart in Laval. In the meantime I'll patiently wait for the decision......yeah right

​

IMHO Mesar has the best opportunity to improve on his defensive game and test out his ability on the wing (with tons of minutes) is on the Rangers. I'll latch onto this part of the article:

It is tough to project Mešár. He wants to play centre, but there is a question if he can play that role in the NHL. Determining the best position for his development will be part of the four-year evaluation the Habs will make of the skillful Slovak.

As for where that development will take place, it seems that the Kitchener Rangers could get a very skilled player this season. While the AHL is an option, the fact that there are a lot of players already penciled into the top two lines, the CHL should be the choice.

 

[OHL4Life]

IMHO Mesar has the best opportunity to improve on his defensive game and test out his ability on the wing (with tons of minutes) is on the Rangers. I'll latch onto this part of the article:

It is tough to project Mešár. He wants to play centre, but there is a question if he can play that role in the NHL. Determining the best position for his development will be part of the four-year evaluation the Habs will make of the skillful Slovak.

As for where that development will take place, it seems that the Kitchener Rangers could get a very skilled player this season. While the AHL is an option, the fact that there are a lot of players already penciled into the top two lines, the CHL should be the choice.

i would bet hes a one and done in the ohl, it makes way to much sense for him to come for a year and be all the better the following season and ready for pro hockey at that point.

 

[EvenSteven]

Unless he proves to be head and shoulders above the OHL, I can see him spending a second year in Kitchener. The Habs right now are swamped with youth in their organization and having him play 20+ minutes a game as a 19-year-old in Kitchener, in every situation, might trump him fighting to even play a top six role in Laval.

Also, it would delay by another year his entry-level deal kicking in which is never a bad thing.

 

[OHL4Life]

Unless he proves to be head and shoulders above the OHL, I can see him spending a second year in Kitchener. The Habs right now are swamped with youth in their organization and having him play 20+ minutes a game as a 19-year-old in Kitchener, in every situation, might trump him fighting to even play a top six role in Laval.

Also, it would delay by another year his entry-level deal kicking in which is never a bad thing.

maybe, but i tihnk its a perfect option for his first post draft year.

 

[Gondrex]

IMHO Mesar has the best opportunity to improve on his defensive game and test out his ability on the wing (with tons of minutes) is on the Rangers. I'll latch onto this part of the article:

It is tough to project Mešár. He wants to play centre, but there is a question if he can play that role in the NHL. Determining the best position for his development will be part of the four-year evaluation the Habs will make of the skillful Slovak.

As for where that development will take place, it seems that the Kitchener Rangers could get a very skilled player this season. While the AHL is an option, the fact that there are a lot of players already penciled into the top two lines, the CHL should be the choice.

Certainly the way I hope the Habs see it. Also, starting out at this level is likely a good way to transition to the North American ice surface.

 

[bobber]

Rangers declare Hage defected according to Josh Brown in the Record Sports section. Lots of options on the issue.

 

[bobber]

Rangers declare Hage defected according to Josh Brown in the Record Sports section. Lots of options on the issue.

Kitchener Rangers declare top draft pick ‘defected’​

Ominous term simply gives the Ontario Hockey League club more options when dealing with Michael Hage, writes Josh Brown​

By Josh BrownRecord Reporter
Tue., Sept. 13, 2022timer3 min. read
Defected?
The word just sounds so nasty.
Like a hockey player did something wrong or is being underhanded in some way


Holdout or “keeping options open” seem kinder.
But defected is the term used when first-round picks don’t report to the teams that drafted them in the Ontario Hockey League
And the Kitchener Rangers have one of them.
First-rounder Michael Hage (ninth overall) has been declared a defected player by the club after he didn’t come to training camp at the Aud earlier this month
But it’s not as bad it sounds
First, a recap.
Hage, 16, signed with the Chicago Steel in the United States Hockey League.
The Rangers knew this but didn’t feel right passing on a player that some rankings had as a top-three talent in this year’s draft.
The plan was to woo him this year or, failing that, get him to the Aud next season to be a part of their exciting young core.
That can still happen.
Declaring Hage defected simply gives the club options.
The Rangers can trade him by Thursday and recoup a first-round compensation selection from the league (in this case 10th overall in 2023) plus whatever draft picks Kitchener gets in the deal.
They can also swap him in the 10 days before the OHL’s Jan. 10 trade deadline and get a second-round compensation pick back plus all the goodies — players and/or picks — involved in the deal.
Another choice is to rescind Hage’s rights one week before next year’s OHL draft. In this case, he’d go back into the draft and Kitchener would get a second-round compensation pick.
Lastly, it can keep his rights past the draft and hope the talented youngster signs with the club at a later date or, if he doesn’t, flip him to another team for players and/or picks.
As of now, that seems to be the preferred path.
But here’s an added wrinkle.
Hage suffered an injury in a practice with the Steel. Noting official has been released by the team yet, but it’s sounding like he could be out for awhile.
If that’s the case, consider another scenario:
Hage returns home to Mississauga to heal and rehabilitate. By the time he’s ready to return, he glances at the OHL standings and sees that the Rangers are in the running for a league title.
Remain in Ontario and sign with an immediate contender?

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Hoping we see a trade. The other options aren't as appealing as getting a 10th and picks (and potentially not as appealing as just the 10th on its own, given how well 2 1sts would line up with the stage in the 4 year cycle we'll be at after this season). I guess the trade window in January would also be good if you could get a good enough player (if Brown has that right).
The injury rumour is interesting, I'm not a gambling man though and would prefer the sure thing, being what it is.

 

[EvenSteven]

Hoping we see a trade. The other options aren't as appealing as getting a 10th and picks (and potentially not as appealing as just the 10th on its own, given how well 2 1sts would line up with the stage in the 4 year cycle we'll be at after this season). I guess the trade window in January would also be good if you could get a good enough player (if Brown has that right).
The injury rumour is interesting, I'm not a gambling man though and would prefer the sure thing, being what it is.

I’m with you. But he mustn’t have any trade options. If he did, you’d think a trade would have been announced. Why would another team trade for his rights, tying up picks, if they know he isn’t coming? Of course, a trade could still be announced by Thursday.

Has there ever been a defected player designated as such without a trade announcement?