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

[EvenSteven]

My understanding is that Martin is done for the year

I’ve been looking for the “egg on face” emoji to apply to MM as a reply to this post. But I can’t find it!

 

[Jives]

Martin unfortunately was obviously a bad decision by MM looking at it now. BUT….no one hear knows the conversations that went on between Martin and doctors on when he was expected back. I firmly believe that MM was under the impression Martin would return to 100% with about a month left in the season. At the trade deadline with Martin back in line up I the future everyone still wanted a forward or 2. We got Sale (just saying he filled a spot) but everyone was saying still one more depth F. The funny thing is at trade deadline Sale was to take Stark spot and the additional player added player (we never got) was to take Romano spot. Ellinas has stepped up huge so just adding 1 F was enough in Martin came back. Everyone said we needed 2 D. We got 1 in Savard. Looking back each position was short changed a spot with MM expecting Martin back.

Yes…..looking at it now moving on from Martin and getting an OA D was the correct move. But again….no one hear knows what doctors were saying about Martin. It’s easy to look at it now and say he screwed up but no one hear are the doctors that were discussing the injury with MM

 

[Ward Cornell]

Martin unfortunately was obviously a bad decision by MM looking at it now. BUT….no one hear knows the conversations that went on between Martin and doctors on when he was expected back. I firmly believe that MM was under the impression Martin would return to 100% with about a month left in the season. At the trade deadline with Martin back in line up I the future everyone still wanted a forward or 2. We got Sale (just saying he filled a spot) but everyone was saying still one more depth F. The funny thing is at trade deadline Sale was to take Stark spot and the additional player added player (we never got) was to take Romano spot. Ellinas has stepped up huge so just adding 1 F was enough in Martin came back. Everyone said we needed 2 D. We got 1 in Savard. Looking back each position was short changed a spot with MM expecting Martin back.

Yes…..looking at it now moving on from Martin and getting an OA D was the correct move. But again….no one hear knows what doctors were saying about Martin. It’s easy to look at it now and say he screwed up but no one hear are the doctors that were discussing the injury with MM

exactly....not sure why this has to brought up ad nauseum!

 

[Slowpace]

I’ve been looking for the “egg on face” emoji to apply to MM as a reply to this post. But I can’t find it!

As an outsider, I was surprised the organization extended MM's contract 5 years....a .588 winning percentage earns you that ? Seems to me his forte is behind the bench? I think with the Rangers' history, surely they could attract a better GM. Just a personal opinion.

Rangers extend COO Joe Birch, GM Mike McKenzie through 2029 - Ontario Hockey League

The Kitchener Rangers have announced multi-year contract extensions for Chief Operating Officer Joe Birch and General Manager Mike McKenzie.

chl.ca

 

[bobber]

Martin unfortunately was obviously a bad decision by MM looking at it now. BUT….no one hear knows the conversations that went on between Martin and doctors on when he was expected back. I firmly believe that MM was under the impression Martin would return to 100% with about a month left in the season. At the trade deadline with Martin back in line up I the future everyone still wanted a forward or 2. We got Sale (just saying he filled a spot) but everyone was saying still one more depth F. The funny thing is at trade deadline Sale was to take Stark spot and the additional player added player (we never got) was to take Romano spot. Ellinas has stepped up huge so just adding 1 F was enough in Martin came back. Everyone said we needed 2 D. We got 1 in Savard. Looking back each position was short changed a spot with MM expecting Martin back.

Yes…..looking at it now moving on from Martin and getting an OA D was the correct move. But again….no one hear knows what doctors were saying about Martin. It’s easy to look at it now and say he screwed up but no one hear are the doctors that were discussing the injury with MM

Exactly. Martin's injury is far more serious than I realized until I read some info on it.That's why I was concerned when he fought in his first game back. It's water under the bridge as far as the deadline trades now. As they say when players are injured or for some other reason. You go with what you got. Nothing can change the situation. We haven't seen the Rangers play a consistant 60 minutes in a while. That's a bigger issue.

 

[bobber]

As an outsider, I was surprised the organization extended MM's contract 5 years....a .588 winning percentage earns you that ? Seems to me his forte is behind the bench? I think with the Rangers' history, surely they could attract a better GM. Just a personal opinion.

Rangers extend COO Joe Birch, GM Mike McKenzie through 2029 - Ontario Hockey League

The Kitchener Rangers have announced multi-year contract extensions for Chief Operating Officer Joe Birch and General Manager Mike McKenzie.

chl.ca

It is a risk for sure. Not sure who makes those decisions but it seems to be similar to Regional government. They have the power to increase salaries and benefits.
You read about it or see it on the news. Not really sure how it works down at the Aud.

 

[EvenSteven]

As an outsider, I was surprised the organization extended MM's contract 5 years....a .588 winning percentage earns you that ? Seems to me his forte is behind the bench? I think with the Rangers' history, surely they could attract a better GM. Just a personal opinion.

Rangers extend COO Joe Birch, GM Mike McKenzie through 2029 - Ontario Hockey League

The Kitchener Rangers have announced multi-year contract extensions for Chief Operating Officer Joe Birch and General Manager Mike McKenzie.

chl.ca

I don’t mind the five year deal. If nothing else, it gives us stability in that area. We need stability to aid in recruiting players.

But that .588 winning percentage can be attributed not only to the team’s record, but to MM’s record as GM in the area of trades, drafts, coaching decisions, etc.

 

[K2]

Not sure who makes those decisions

The 10 Rangers' Directors that serve on the executive committee.

 

[Offside by a mile]

On another note: Anyone worried about Sale or Rehkrof making an NHL team next year can breath a big sigh of relief. They're not even standing out in this playoff series let alone taking over the game. This all coming from a guy the said Rehkrof was the most impactful player in the OHL around Christmas time. Probably time to walk that statement back a bit.


If only we could get the Rehkorf that was auditioning each night for a Team Canada Roster spot. That's the player we all fell in love with this season, and furthermore the player we all know he has in him.

I'm not trying to pile on an 18 yr old kid, Lets be clear it's no easy feat to score 50+ goals in this league but his 200ft game is nowhere near ready for the pro game. IMO

 

[OttersFan]

View attachment 845341
Thursday might get rowdy.

Some of the Rangers were giving fans the bird too and refused to leave the ice when refs told them enough.

I’m all for celebration and rightfully they deserve to celebrate. Scheig great when covering the Otters.

 

[EvenSteven]

On another note: Anyone worried about Sale or Rehkrof making an NHL team next year can breath a big sigh of relief. They're not even standing out in this playoff series let alone taking over the game. This all coming from a guy the said Rehkrof was the most impactful player in the OHL around Christmas time. Probably time to walk that statement back a bit.


If only we could get the Rehkorf that was auditioning each night for a Team Canada Roster spot. That's the player we all fell in love with this season, and furthermore the player we all know he has in him.

I'm not trying to pile on an 18 yr old kid, Lets be clear it's no easy feat to score 50+ goals in this league but his 200ft game is nowhere near ready for the pro game. IMO

Rehkopf was a non factor last night. But he has three goals in three games in these playoffs. That’s the pace he was on pre Christmas.

That’s not nuthin!

 

[Buttsy]

Congrats to the boys on the comeback. Not sure what could be the biggest swing in the series ... Game 3 comeback or "Bennie" back in the net for Erie? LOL .... sorry have never seen what all the hype has been about with this kid? OT goal was a perfect example " Bennie on his knees trying to play goal "

 

[bobber]

Rehkopf was a non factor last night. But he has three goals in three games in these playoffs. That’s the pace he was on pre Christmas.

That’s not nuthin!

When you score 50 goals you have a target on your back. Sop also with 40.

 

[RangerNation]

Boy would it be refreshing to see a complete game tonight. Parsons is dialed in, it's now or never.

 

[HockeyPops]

But that .588 winning percentage can be attributed not only to the team’s record, but to MM’s record as GM in the area of trades, drafts, coaching decisions, etc.

I'm confused, are we saying a .588 win percentage is bad? I think it's pretty good in a cyclical league like the OHL.

Indeed, if you compile all the seasons from 2017-2018 onwards, the data supports this. Kitchener's .588 is 6th best in the league. League average is .546 over that period.

Team	GAMES	POINTS	WIN%
London Knights	402	554​	0.689​
Ottawa 67's	402	528​	0.657​
Soo Greyhounds	404	509​	0.630​
Saginaw Spirit	402	478​	0.595​
Brantford Bulldogs	402	475​	0.591​
Kitchener Rangers	403	474​	0.588​
Guelph Storm	403	459​	0.569​
Oshawa Generals	402	454​	0.565​
North Bay Battalion	402	452​	0.562​
Windsor Spitfires	402	439​	0.546​
Owen Sound Attack	402	436​	0.542​
Barrie Colts	403	437​	0.542​
Mississauga Steelheads	401	433​	0.540​
Sarnia Sting	402	414​	0.515​
Sudbury Wolves	403	411​	0.510​
Flint Firebirds	403	394​	0.489​
Peterborough Petes	402	386​	0.480​
Kingston Frontenacs	402	367​	0.456​
Erie Otters	403	355​	0.440​
Niagara IceDogs	403	340​	0.422​

 

[Rangers True Blue]

When you score 50 goals you have a target on your back. Sop also with 40.

Absolutely. The addition of Swick to that top line and some hard skating/shooting/hitting should open up some space and time. Let's see a full 60 tonight.

Congrats to the boys on the comeback. Not sure what could be the biggest swing in the series ... Game 3 comeback or "Bennie" back in the net for Erie? LOL .... sorry have never seen what all the hype has been about with this kid? OT goal was a perfect example " Bennie on his knees trying to play goal "

Fun fact.......Gaudreau and Parsons were touted as the two top goalie picks at their draft.

 

[EvenSteven]

I'm confused, are we saying a .588 win percentage is bad? I think it's pretty good in a cyclical league like the OHL.

Indeed, if you compile all the seasons from 2017-2018 onwards, the data supports this. Kitchener's .588 is 6th best in the league. League average is .546 over that period.

[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TD]Team[/TD]
[TD]GAMES[/TD]
[TD]POINTS[/TD]
[TD]WIN%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]London Knights[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

554​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.689​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Ottawa 67's[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

528​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.657​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Soo Greyhounds[/TD]
[TD]404[/TD]

[TD]

509​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.630​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Saginaw Spirit[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

478​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.595​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Brantford Bulldogs[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

475​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.591​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Kitchener Rangers[/TD]
[TD]403[/TD]

[TD]

474​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.588​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Guelph Storm[/TD]
[TD]403[/TD]

[TD]

459​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.569​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Oshawa Generals[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

454​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.565​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]North Bay Battalion[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

452​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.562​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Windsor Spitfires[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

439​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.546​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Owen Sound Attack[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

436​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.542​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Barrie Colts[/TD]
[TD]403[/TD]

[TD]

437​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.542​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Mississauga Steelheads[/TD]
[TD]401[/TD]

[TD]

433​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.540​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sarnia Sting[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

414​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.515​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Sudbury Wolves[/TD]
[TD]403[/TD]

[TD]

411​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.510​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Flint Firebirds[/TD]
[TD]403[/TD]

[TD]

394​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.489​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Peterborough Petes[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

386​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.480​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Kingston Frontenacs[/TD]
[TD]402[/TD]

[TD]

367​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.456​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Erie Otters[/TD]
[TD]403[/TD]

[TD]

355​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.440​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Niagara IceDogs[/TD]
[TD]403[/TD]

[TD]

340​

[/TD]

[TD]

0.422​

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

I’ve no issue with the on ice winning percentage.

But for me, MM’s a just little better than .500 in the other areas I mentioned. I believe he’s a good young GM, but he’s far from perfect. That’s not a rip on him, just observation.

For what it’s worth, I do believe the Rangers are in goods hands under his leadership.

 

[bobber]

I know the Rangers are still battling in the playoffs but is anyone excited to see how well MM does in the upcoming draft? Did great last year. Not sure what picks the Rangers have or what ones are missing.

 

[Krangers08]

I know the Rangers are still battling in the playoffs but is anyone excited to see how well MM does in the upcoming draft? Did great last year. Not sure what picks the Rangers have or what ones are missing.

Otters 2nd, Owen sound 3rd, no 6th,no 9th, Owen sound 12th. The rest are all Kitchener’s original picks.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

Otters 2nd, Owen sound 3rd, no 6th,no 9th, Owen sound 12th. The rest are all Kitchener’s original picks.

No 7th either

 

[HockeyPops]

No 7th either

Which trade did they send this pick? I can't find it.

 

[Krangers08]

Misaljevic-Sop-Swick is starting. Lam is out.
Šalé-Mešár-Rehkopf
Bottineau-Romano-Pug
Stark-Mercer-Ellinas

 

[Matttheleaf]

Misaljevic-Sop-Swick is starting. Lam is out.

Was the lineup posted somewhere?
Edit.
I see the bolded names on the score sheet now.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

Which trade did they send this pick? I can't find it.

Conditional pick attached to probably either the Morey or Scott trades when they came to Kitchener and related to a games played condition

 

[HockeyPops]

The Scott trade had a conditional 9th go to the Soo (KIT 9 2023*), but Kitchener ended up using this pick.

The Morey trade had a conditional 8th go to OS (BRT 8 2023*), but Kitchener ended up using this pick.

Maybe one of those picks was upgraded to KIT 7 2024 due to some unknown condition?