Kitchener Rangers 2022 Off-season Thread

[Generalsupdates]

I don’t see why not. Surely they recognize the development of Xhekaj and want to have him play here.

As long as they don’t look at the development of Mysak and go ahhh nevermind, let’s stay away from the OHL…

 

[pgfan66]

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Perhaps not ready because talk hasn't taken place with the Rangers yet.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Mesar does want to come here so do your thing, MM!!

 

[EvenSteven]

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Perhaps not ready because talk hasn't taken place with the Rangers yet.

Probably meaning Laval or Montreal.

 

[Scotianhab]

Mesar will be brought over next year imo.

 

[zaluty]

Now if you could get Gauthier too!

 

[MVarley]

Now if you could get Gauthier too!

that would be a miracle given family friendships in that area

 

[Rangers True Blue]

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Timeline​

Unlike Slafkovsky who will make the jump quickly, the same can’t be said for Mesar. He was drafted in the recent CHL Import Draft by Kitchener and if he reports there (it seems like there’s a reasonable chance he will), he’ll need two years with them and probably a year or two in Laval.

 

[GeoBlue]

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Wouldn't it be great to be able to put 5 or 6 of these guys in one room and tell them, "Look, you guys would be playing together along with the existing talent, for over 60 games in front of 7000 people every night. Think of the possibilities! Discuss amongst yourselves."? That would be superior "development" in itself.

 

[three dog night]

Wouldn't it be great to be able to put 5 or 6 of these guys in one room and tell them, "Look, you guys would be playing together along with the existing talent, for over 60 games in front of 7000 people every night. Think of the possibilities! Discuss amongst yourselves."? That would be superior "development" in itself.

Do you think the fans will come back in force

 

[Gondrex]

Would be nice to at least have Mesar and Hamara.

I know Fegaras is a Cornell commit, but it sounds like he was interested enough to watch the OHL final per his post-draft interview.

 

[TheAud]

I could see us getting Mesar and Hamara this year. Now that Fegaras went to Dallas that may help us a lot because of Spott and Deboer. 3 of those 8 is a good haul for the East Ave Blue. Any additional would be icing on the cake.

 

[EvenSteven]

I could see us getting Mesar and Hamara this year. Now that Fegaras went to Dallas that may help us a lot because of Spott and Deboer. 3 of those 8 is a good haul for the East Ave Blue. Any additional would be icing on the cake.

And I believe Joe Macdonell is still scouting for the Stars. He would even be a stronger link to the Rangers than DeBoer and Spott in my opinion. Can’t hurt in attempts to attract the player to report here.

 

[GeoBlue]

Do you think the fans will come back in force

With 5 of these picks reporting, a definite yes. I would think the quality on the ice would be tempting. And remember that this list does not include Hage or Longacre. But with the 7th wave of COVID rearing it's ugly head, all bets are off.

 

[Ward Cornell]

And I believe Joe Macdonell is still scouting for the Stars. He would even be a stronger link to the Rangers than DeBoer and Spott in my opinion. Can’t hurt in attempts to attract the player to report here.

I agree I seem to recall reading a comment by Deboer or Coat Tails that they were unhappy that the Rangers fired Troy Smith.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I was wondering about Rangers prospect– Owen Mehlenbacher (LW), Buffalo Jr. Sabres who was drafter by Detroit but wonder no more:
Detroit News: "Mehlenbacher is committed to play in college at Wisconsin next season, where he will play under former Red Wings assistant coach Tony Granato."

 

[Rangers True Blue]

With 5 of these picks reporting, a definite yes. I would think the quality on the ice would be tempting. And remember that this list does not include Hage or Longacre. But with the 7th wave of COVID rearing it's ugly head, all bets are off.

Fortunately, the newest "wave" is the weakest of all. The biggest wave I want to see is at the Aud this season!!


Fegaras is a possibility. As per Even, Macdonnell is still scouting for Dallas.

Mesar has indicated that he wants to come to Kitchener play. I would think Montreal will encourage this.

And Hamara gave indications of wanting to come over before the draft. Now that he's drafted by Ottawa, odds are good he will. In an interview, he noted that while his family was flying back home, he was staying on to visit Ottawa and the Senators. Perhaps, MM will add Kitchener to Hamara's tour.

Geo, you're right! Hage and Longacre sort of faded into the background with all the NHL excitement. MM has his work cut out for him and now he can focus on it!

 

[K2]

Do you think the fans will come back in force

No, I think we're in a rebuild there. We were in a blatant decline pre-covid which was part lackluster results, aging STH attrition and a, slow incremental shift away from hockey as the overwhelmingly predominant local/national sports focus. Covid (etc) will be a break where we lost fans, people found other things to do and discretionary incomes took a beating which will possibly continue indefinitely. Not a doom & gloom scenario at all but we'll need something of a STH 'changing of the guard' and a run of success (a la 2001-2008) to get back to that perennial 'always full' house with ST waitlist.

Fegaras is a possibility. As per Even, Macdonnell is still scouting for Dallas.

Remains a (very) remote possibility if he's academically inclined and can hack being a student athlete ... but stranger things have happened.

3 of those 8 is a good haul for the East Ave Blue

I agree and think a couple more eventually might report if we're lucky.

Geo, you're right! Hage and Longacre sort of faded into the background

Hage is the prize and we're in the running until we're not.

I agree I seem to recall reading a comment by Deboer or Coat Tails that they were unhappy that the Rangers fired Troy Smith.

Interesting. Smith and Fixter were very capable guys but not HC material when handed the opportunity and ended up going through the wringer

 

[Torts]

Mesar, Fegaras and Hamara. Come on MM and co!

 

[EvenSteven]

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Thoughts:

If I’m a high end NHL draft pick and I have the choice to go OHL or NCAA, and my intent is to go pro after a year or two of being drafted, I don’t understand why I would go the NCAA route. Mehlenbacher? Seventh round pick in the NHL? For sure, if that’s my kid, I want him to go NCAA and get his education as the NHL for seventh round picks is a longshot.

However, for guys like Gauthier, Fegaras and Kaplan, who were taken in the top end of the draft, an NHL career is a very real possibility. Therefore, wouldn’t it be imperative to play an NHL type season as soon as possible? That means playing in the OHL.

Unless of course, the intent is to stay in school for four years and get a degree. Then by all means, do so. But often, guys like this are pro by the time their second year of school is done.

If I’m the undrafted Veremyev, who obviously doesn’t have an NCAA option or he’d be there by now, why waste away my junior eligibility in the USHL when the OHL is an option? It makes perfect sense to get to the OHL to get more visibility in a tougher league in hopes of getting noticed and earning a pro contract.




 

[Torts]

Thoughts:

If I’m a high end NHL draft pick and I have the choice to go OHL or NCAA, and my intent is to go pro after a year or two of being drafted, I don’t understand why I would go the NCAA route. Mehlenbacher? Seventh round pick in the NHL? For sure, if that’s my kid, I want him to go NCAA and get his education as the NHL for seventh round picks is a longshot.

However, for guys like Gauthier, Fegaras and Kaplan, who were taken in the top end of the draft, an NHL career is a very real possibility. Therefore, wouldn’t it be imperative to play an NHL type season as soon as possible? That means playing in the OHL.

Unless of course, the intent is to stay in school for four years and get a degree. Then by all means, do so. But often, guys like this are pro by the time their second year of school is done.

If I’m the undrafted Veremyev, who obviously doesn’t have an NCAA option or he’d be there by now, why waste away my junior eligibility in the USHL when the OHL is an option? It makes perfect sense to get to the OHL to get more visibility in a tougher league in hopes of getting noticed and earning a pro contract.




The true high end players probably only play 1-2 years in college system as well. It's truly down to the respective prospect and which system they prefer.

Look at two forward prospects who are both deemed "high end" --> Matty Beniers and Wyatt Johnston. Both will be playing pro hockey and almost 100% in the NHL this upcoming season and both only had one draft+1 season before turning pro.

NCAA's NIL system also helps college athletes make some $ while in school which makes more enticing than it was before.

 

[rangersblues]

If I'm a dman I would give NCAA strong consideration. Most of the top dmen currently in the NHL were NCAA or Euro trained, not CHL.

 

[aresknights]

So....will the Canadiens send Mesar to the Rangers ?

Hope so Even as Knights fan