Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part 1)

[EvenSteven]

Congratulations to Jeff Skinner on playing his 1000th career NHL game tonight. It's hard to believe. Equally hard to believe he's never played in a playoff game.

Not that hard actually. These days when only half the teams make the postseason, and you find yourself on crappy teams ….

There were others over the years who spent most of their careers on crappy teams, never playing in the post season, then got themselves traded to a contender.
Obviously not 1000 games like Skinner, but hundreds for sure.

 

[rangersblues]

Not that hard actually. These days when only half the teams make the postseason, and you find yourself on crappy teams ….

There were others over the years who spent most of their careers on crappy teams, never playing in the post season, then got themselves traded to a contender.
Obviously not 1000 games like Skinner, but hundreds for sure.

It's the most by a fairly wide margin.

Most games played without a playoff appearance

A fun fact came up during one of the games tonight- a current player holds the record for most games played without a playoff appearance- 904 games. Can you guess the player? Hint 1: Hint 2: Answer:

forums.hfboards.com

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Hopefully it's Sally. He's just taking up space. Looked from day 1 to be someone who disappears in playoffs. Not surprised.

Chalet has as many points as Rehkopf, more than Sop and Brz. The Mesar/Chalet line has been our most productive offensively thus far. He was good game 1 and 2. Not sure why he's the whipping boy around here when more prominent guys are lacking, and being given a girls name as some big insult. Kind of weird imo.

Bottineau could really come together to be a high quality player in the next couple years. Good size, skating and motor combo. Some skill there.

 

[bobber]

Another fun fact Brown mentioned. On the coaches poll they had Sop as one of the best shoot out performers and Parsons as one of the best shoot out goalies. Fact was the Rangers never got to a shoot out this season. They never lost one if that something.

 

[rangersblues]

Another fun fact Brown mentioned. On the coaches poll they had Sop as one of the best shoot out performers and Parsons as one of the best shoot out goalies. Fact was the Rangers never got to a shoot out this season. They never lost one if that something.

I guess nobody scored on Parsons practicing shootouts except Sop

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Another fun fact Brown mentioned. On the coaches poll they had Sop as one of the best shoot out performers and Parsons as one of the best shoot out goalies. Fact was the Rangers never got to a shoot out this season. They never lost one if that something.

That is quite funny. The coach's polls sometimes offer very strange results.

 

[bobber]

I guess nobody scored on Parsons practicing shootouts except Sop

Poor Parsons is in a shooting gallery every game. Rangers are a midpack team playing a midpack team in Erie. What happens if they win the series and have to play a team higher in the standings ala the Knights? One thing noticed last night when Mesar and Sale as an example carry the puck into the offensive end they get squeased out along the boards. They immediately give up and don't try to battle through. Same with a couple of other top forwards.

 

[Jives]

Chalet has as many points as Rehkopf, more than Sop and Brz. The Mesar/Chalet line has been our most productive offensively thus far. He was good game 1 and 2. Not sure why he's the whipping boy around here when more prominent guys are lacking, and being given a girls name as some big insult. Kind of weird imo.

Bottineau could really come together to be a high quality player in the next couple years. Good size, skating and motor combo. Some skill there.

Mesar has carried that line. Sale is just riding shotgun with that talent. His effort is horrible. Watch his forecheck then watch Pug or Bott - the effort is bad. His puck battles one on one he thinks he is 5’1” and 100Lbs….so soft. When he plays well it actually looks like he cares. It looked like he was playing beer league with the effort he put up.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

where's Rehcroft??? He's invisible , maybe sit that line for a period so they can watch and learn from 3rd line how to play playoff hockey. Parson's is amazing!!!

Rehkopf draws a crowd as soon as he enters the zone. Need Swick back to open up the ice more. And Rehkopf needs to power in like Erie does and have a trailer ready to pick up the puck. Less passing. More shooting.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Mesar has carried that line. Sale is just riding shotgun with that talent. His effort is horrible. Watch his forecheck then watch Pug or Bott - the effort is bad. His puck battles one on one he thinks he is 5’1” and 100Lbs….so soft. When he plays well it actually looks like he cares. It looked like he was playing beer league with the effort he put up.

watch the forecheck of anyone not named Pug or Bott and they look poor in comparison. Not saying Sale has a good forecheck, it's obviously one of his weaknesses, but we've got a lot of guys not doing much in 1-on-1 battles that seem to get a free pass where Chalet does not.
Sale wasn't gifted his points by Mesar if you look at them. Mesar has had a couple really solid games, but a couple where he looked as soft as the regular season as well. Sale's play in particular has not been this teams problem thus far imo. Some made up their mind that Sale would be the problem before the playoffs started and intend to keep it that way.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

When it was 3-1 Erie, things looked bleak but by shortening the bench and making some line adjustments, the boys found a way to score 4 unanswered goals. Quite the comeback and just what they needed. Give credit where credit is due. Despite the return of players including Gaudreau, the Rangers weathered the storm and did not give up. They needed this win. Absolutely.

 

[robertmac43]

Who is the next player we need to request a goal from? Yesterday afternoon many were saying Misaljevic was due and he ends up starting the comeback.

 

[HockeyPops]

Sounds like Rehkopf?

 

[Jives]

Who is the next player we need to request a goal from? Yesterday afternoon many were saying Misaljevic was due and he ends up starting the comeback.

I just hope the top 2 lines come out with some desire / effort. If that happens then we should be fine no matter who scores. If Bott, Romano and Pug are gong to carry this team then we are in trouble.

 

[rangersblues]

Sounds like Rehkopf?

I don't think anyone is really complaining about Rehkopf's offensive output, especially his goal scoring. It's other parts of his game that are lacking at times.

I just hope the top 2 lines come out with some desire / effort. If that happens then we should be fine no matter who scores. If Bott, Romano and Pug are gong to carry this team then we are in trouble.

You're right. But if the supposed top 2 lines start carrying their weight, the 3rd line is as good as anybody's.

 

[Ward Cornell]

4 goals with 8 points by rookies. Yes, I consider Bottineau a rookie, had basically zero ice time last season.
Like others has said, it's the older players that needs to step up.
Romano will be a beast in ths league, we'll be glad he wasn't traded.

 

[rangersblues]

4 goals with 8 points by rookies. Yes, I consider Bottineau a rookie, had basically zero ice time last season.
Like others has said, it's the older players that needs to step up.
Romano will be a beast in ths league, we'll be glad he wasn't traded.

Romano's development curve has been off the charts the past few months. All facets of his game have improved and he looks right at home against other teams vets. I'd say he's the best rookie we've had since Skinner right now. Reid would be a close second imo. Hage not reporting has turned out to be a huge plus right now.

 

[Offside by a mile]

Romano's development curve has been off the charts the past few months. All facets of his game have improved and he looks right at home against other teams vets. I'd say he's the best rookie we've had since Skinner right now. Reid would be a close second imo. Hage not reporting has turned out to be a huge plus right now.

I'm in agreement Romano's been on fire. I'm really glad MM was the GM instead of a bunch of the armchair GM's on this forum, myself included. I would simply disagree on the giving him the best Rookie crown just yet. Right now for my money it would be Reid. If you asked me who do you think will be more valuable as soon as next year a 19yr old Ando or a 17 yr old Reid. I'd be taking Reid without a doubt. I also think he will be wearing the C in Kitchener, as soon as possibly next year. ( that could be a stretch but it's not out of the question) If Rehkopf or Ando were clearly the “Guy” they would have had it this year IMO.


I used Ando as the example because i believe he's likely regarded as the top D man returning. That's how valuable i think Reid is.




Just to go further, i think Stark will be a stud in the league and Lam without question is the most offensively gifted 16 yr olds i can remember. I can see a 100 pt season in his future. Size is a concern but give it some time, an additional 15 lbs. would make a world of difference for him. Arquette will be ready next year- I didn’t think he looked out of place. The future is bright!

 

[EvenSteven]

Hage not reporting has turned out to be a huge plus right now.

Maybe for the future, but not for today’s team.

Had he reported, I’m sure he’d have comparable numbers to what he’s put up in Chicago this year. (52-32-41-73). Or if we passed on him and taken the next forward taken in the draft, Cole Beaudoin (67-28-34-62), THIS year’s team would have been much better off up front.

No need to use assets to deal for Sale. Instead, we could have shored up the D better.

Just sayin.

 

[Krangers08]

On top of his 3 point night. Romano went 12/14 on the draws.

 

[KRangersRookie]

This series is amazing so far, Erie is shutting down our top lines quite effectively but are clearly getting tired and with Kitchener using the rested 4th line in key points of the game it's magic, way to go Botts. I look forward to seeing Swick and potentially Martin back (whatever is happening there) and hope we continue to roll 4 lines. Also just a side note did anyone see this out of Romano at Christmas and lookout in couple years for Romono and Reid assuming the NHL doesn't pull a Skinner on us lol.

 

[bobber]

This series is amazing so far, Erie is shutting down our top lines quite effectively but are clearly getting tired and with Kitchener using the rested 4th line in key points of the game it's magic, way to go Botts. I look forward to seeing Swick and potentially Martin back (whatever is happening there) and hope we continue to roll 4 lines. Also just a side note did anyone see this out of Romano at Christmas and lookout in couple years for Romono and Reid assuming the NHL doesn't pull a Skinner on us lol.

The NHL Bruins pulled a "Skinner" on the Storm with Poitras. Ended up injured. Skinner was quite the deceiving skater.

 

[robertmac43]

This whole crop of rookies is exciting. Happy they are getting some experience in the playoffs this year.

 

[digicamo]

This series is amazing so far, Erie is shutting down our top lines quite effectively but are clearly getting tired and with Kitchener using the rested 4th line in key points of the game it's magic, way to go Botts. I look forward to seeing Swick and potentially Martin back (whatever is happening there) and hope we continue to roll 4 lines. Also just a side note did anyone see this out of Romano at Christmas and lookout in couple years for Romono and Reid assuming the NHL doesn't pull a Skinner on us lol.

My understanding is that Martin is done for the year but adding Swick to this line-up will be a massive plus.

 

[EvenSteven]

I’m hearing that games six and seven have been bumped to Tuesday Wednesday. If so, this series better be wrapped up early or there’ll be a very tired team, playing a well rested London team in round two.