Kitchener Rangers 2022 Off-season Thread

[Devin]

With most of the conditions met on this deal, this deal turns into Declan Macdonell for Hunter B and a third round pick conditional on Macdonnell playing an overage season.

At the end of the day, I think we walk away with a win on this deal.

This deal should be jail time for MM.

What a steal.

Barrie ownership can’t be succumbing to the pressure of people threatening to not renew their tix , then making a last minute deal like this one.

Stick to the game plan. Don’t get fleeced like we’ve seen here.

This is almost as bad as Scheifele and a 2nd for OA goalie parks

 

[GeoBlue]

It's official.....

Kitchener Rangers

kitchenerrangers.com

I think it's great (arguably important) to add a quality 2004 to this team.
Adding another in Gauthier wouldn't be too bad either

So, building the team as we sign players...........this makes Nolet out and Brzustewicz in. So far, so good. To clarify, nothing against Nolet. Out because he is past OA.

 

[All the Answers]

Landy hoists it. Couldn't happen to a better guy

 

[Tim Wallach]

Today's Athletic article on Arber Xhekaj states that his brother Florian recently signed with the Rangers. I assume that's an error as he was just invited to summer camp, or did I miss something?

 

[MVarley]

New coach to be announced tomorrow MM back to resume role exclusively as GM

 

[Rangers True Blue]

 

[OHL4Life]

View attachment 562708

probably the better call, hes a way better gm then coach imo

 

[GeoBlue]

probably the better call, hes a way better gm then coach imo

That all depends on who the new coach is.

 

[Jives]

Really interested to see who they name. “New face” which makes me assume it’s not hiring within which I think is good.

 

[GeoBlue]

New coach to be announced tomorrow MM back to resume role exclusively as GM

Hopefully it will be someone that will catch the attention of the likes of Mesar, Hage, etc.

 

[MVarley]

Hopefully it will be someone that will catch the attention of the likes of Mesar, Hage, etc.

it would be huge to get a couple more big names signed to the team

 

[EvenSteven]

I would say whoever the new coach is, it has been known for the last little while. I would assume Hunter B wouldn’t sign unless he knew who was coaching him.

 

[EvenSteven]

Today's Athletic article on Arber Xhekaj states that his brother Florian recently signed with the Rangers. I assume that's an error as he was just invited to summer camp, or did I miss something?

Hard to say. But there’s a big difference between a tryout and a signing. Can’t see him making that error.

Wouldn't surprise me if he is signing just based on Arbor’s comments.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Hard to say. But there’s a big difference between a tryout and a signing. Can’t see him making that error.

Wouldn't surprise me if he is signing just based on Arbor’s comments.

And Florian looked good at camp. He's tough, gritty, and gets into the dirty places where others may fear to tread. Would you expect anything less from a kid who had Arbor for an older brother?

 

[Tim Wallach]

Hard to say. But there’s a big difference between a tryout and a signing. Can’t see him making that error.

Wouldn't surprise me if he is signing just based on Arbor’s comments.

That's why I asked. It would be an uncharacteristically sloppy mistake for the Athletic to make. So I wonder if he has signed and it just hasn't been confirmed yet by the team, who has been busy with other things.

 

[rangersblues]

Really interested to see who they name. “New face” which makes me assume it’s not hiring within which I think is good.

Even though MM's letter says "new face behind the bench" my money is on Wideman.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Even though MM's letter says "new face behind the bench" my money is on Wideman.

Don’t put too much down

 

[Rangers True Blue]

And Florian looked good at camp. He's tough, gritty, and gets into the dirty places where others may fear to tread. Would you expect anything less from a kid who had Arbor for an older brother?

OH......Josh Brown confirmed that Florian has NOT been signed.

Josh Brown's interview with MM who says:

The team is being tight-lipped about the identity of the 24th coach in franchise history until a formal introduction is made Tuesday. McKenzie conducted a handful of interviews for a new coach but didn’t cast a wide net as he has in the past.

“It’s someone I really feel comfortable with as a coach in terms of hockey but also as a person,” he said. “They had really good references and it’s hard to find someone that speaks negatively of him as a person. I think that’s really important when you’re dealing with junior hockey. He also has a lot of good experience in the game to pair with that.”

Assistant coach Dennis Wideman took over for a couple of games this past season when McKenzie was off sick but the general manager wouldn’t say if the new coach was an internal or external hire.

 

[rangersblues]

Since it's someone they are familiar with and they didn't do many interviews, is Steve Spott a possibility? Friend thought of it.

 

[Jives]

I hope it’s not Spott. He is not a good head coach

 

[Tim Wallach]

Since it's someone they are familiar with and they didn't do many interviews, is Steve Spott a possibility? Friend thought of it.

It is not Spott.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I hope it’s not Spott. He is not a good head coach

Agreed but he is a better head coach than GM though.

 

[Generalsupdates]

I hope it’s not Spott. He is not a good head coach

Chris Dennis. Barrie assistant coach. Was a Leafs video coach for a while

 

[EvenSteven]

I hope it’s not Spott. He is not a good head coach

Spott the GM had warts as well.

Chris Dennis. Barrie assistant coach. Was a Leafs video coach for a while

Fixter was an NHL video coach in Colorado too. Sometimes, video coaches don’t translate into head coaches at the OHL level.

 

[K2]

Since it's someone they are familiar with and they didn't do many interviews, is Steve Spott a possibility? Friend thought of it.

Way over our hiring budget & Spott likely has something more compelling to do in Dallas

Chris Dennis. Barrie assistant coach. Was a Leafs video coach for a while

He's our guy and someone on the rise. Associate Coach for Colts, Assistant Coach Chicago Wolves, Head Coach York U, Assistant U17 team, Leafs Video->Assistant Coach (~10yrs) ... former Teacher. Good fit with MM.