Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[bobber]

They also have 3 games in hand.

A bird in the hand is worth three in the bush. They have to win those games and hope the Rangers lose.

 

[EvenSteven]

Saginaw has won 10 in a row and are still 7 points behind the Rangers kinda wild

Agreed. But,

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t much care where we finish in relation to Saginaw. I had them finishing first in the conference based on their weaker division and green light to spend everything not nailed down as the are the host. I still expect them to wind up in first now that their tough start seems to be behind them.

Our concern should be where we are vs the other contenders in the conference. Our positioning, at whenever MM’s buy/sell decision date arrives (if it hasn’t already passed), is what will tell the tale.

Today, I think we probably have one of, if not the best goaltending in the conference, one of the best defences, and obviously the best offence.

But we’re not deep. We really need a couple pieces to give us a better 3rd line. I’d like to bring in a middle pairing D to give us depth on the backend. That’s before we possibly move out an OA D. If we move one of Motew / Schmidt, I’d like two middle pairing additions. Not only can you not have too much depth on D for a long playoff run, I’m not sure I want a top four that includes Reid. No disrespect, but as a 16 year old, once the post season starts he may be a little in over his head as a top four D on a deep playoff run. I’d rather see our D to be deep enough to shuffle he and Campbell in and out of the lineup as the 6th D. And hey, what if there’s an injury back there?

The problem is, we don’t have the assets to make the additions I’d like to make.

So, we have to give in somewhere, but where?

 

[Krangers08]

Who is someone the Rangers drafted but didn’t report , that you wish did (2000s)

Mine are Fowler, Mcavoy


Hm Jake Evan’s ,Trouba , Adam Fox

 

[RangerNation]

Who is someone the Rangers drafted but didn’t report , that you wish did (2000s)

Mine are Fowler, Mcavoy


Hm Jake Evan’s ,Trouba , Adam Fox

I don't remember the whole story on Fowler, but I remember it making me angry at the time, especially when they ended up facing him in the WCF the year he reported.

 

[Krangers08]

I don't remember the whole story on Fowler, but I remember it making me angry at the time, especially when they ended up facing him in the WCF the year he reported.

The rumblings at the time was it involved Family incentives Influenced by the father.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Who is someone the Rangers drafted but didn’t report , that you wish did (2000s)

Mine are Fowler, Mcavoy


Hm Jake Evan’s ,Trouba , Adam Fox

I would take Trouba and Fox over Fowler.

 

[Ranger77]

Who is someone the Rangers drafted but didn’t report , that you wish did (2000s)

Mine are Fowler, Mcavoy


Hm Jake Evan’s ,Trouba , Adam Fox

McAvoy and Trouba would have been nice!

 

[EvenSteven]

I would take Trouba and Fox over Fowler.

The Islanders Scott Mayfield is another D who would have been good here if he reported.

Trouba. Fox. McAvoy. Mayfield. Had they all reported…….

 

[EvenSteven]

Who is someone the Rangers drafted but didn’t report , that you wish did (2000s)

Mine are Fowler, Mcavoy


Hm Jake Evan’s ,Trouba , Adam Fox

Speaking of taking flyers, we took flyers on a handful of guys this last draft.

NCAA commits from the ‘23 draft:

C- Christian Giancola.
Toronto Patriots - OJHL
From the Toronto area. Attended the spring rookie camp. Clarkson U commit.

C- Haeden Ellis.
Buffalo Jr Sabres - OJHL
Son of former OHLer and Buffalo Sabre Matt Ellis. Northeastern U commit.

C- LJ Mooney.
NTDP
From a hockey family. Father played minor pro. Cousin of Logan Cooley.
Notable prospect at elite prospects for the 2025 NHL draft. U of Minnesota commit.

F- Niles Benson.
NTDP
Harvard commit.

D- Matthew Grimes
Sioux Falls - USHL
U of Minnesota commit.

 

[Krangers08]

I’m all for taking flyers past the 6th round. Giancola is most likely to flip in my opinion and was seen as surprise that he got an early commitment.
Benson is my favourite on the list, When I’ve seen him and read about him he plays similar to Martin. He just got added to NTDP last week so his chances coming got smaller (Harvard commits don’t usually flip anyways)

 

[EvenSteven]

I’m all for taking flyers past the 6th round. Giancola is most likely to flip in my opinion and was seen as surprise that he got an early commitment.
Benson is my favourite on the list, When I’ve seen him and read about him he plays similar to Martin. He just got added to NTDP last week so his chances coming got smaller (Harvard commits don’t usually flip anyways)

I think think Mooney’s chances are small too. He comes from an NCAA family. I’d be surprised if he didn’t continue that tradition.

With our coaching staff, I’m wondering if there is a guy or two who may reconsider reporting. Not only because of the winning, but player development. And by saying player development, I mean the breakthrough of guys like Rehkopf and Brzustewicz. Higher end players whose games have ramped up even further under this coaching staff. These two aren’t the only two.

It surely is causing some prospects to at least do a double take on the Rangers as a destination.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I know Martin has been walking around at the games under his own steam. Anyone know if he's been on the ice in practice?

 

[Jives]

Mooney is the best of the bunch. He would be an elite OHL player. Don’t know his chances at NHL due to his size but he would be awesome in the OHL. Saying that he is the least likely to report imo.

 

[bobber]

I think the Rangers need to establish themselves as a destination for highly skilled prospects (flyers) by winning a few championships over a period of time. Still may not be enough to get them to commit. Many consider the US programs as a stepping stone to pro hockey just as we see the OHL as one. It's the same with coaches looking to step up into pro. They have to establish a winning record over a few seasons to be considered worthy enough to commit an expensive contract to. The Rangers have really surprised everyone this season. Still they are a long way from hanging a banner up at the Aud. Not really being negative here just being realistic.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Having a competent coaching staff is HUGE. That has finally been established. That is a massive recruiting tool and frankly the main thing hurting Kitchener's appeal for the last several years.

 

[RangerNation]

From analyst Chris Peters on Team USAW selection

2024 World Juniors: Team USA Roster Updates, Bubble Watch - FloHockey

With the World Juniors one month away and Team USA's selection camp starting in a few weeks, analyst Chris Peters looks at how the roster may be shaping up.

www.flohockey.tv

​

Hunter Brzustewicz, D, Kitchener Rangers (VAN) -- UPDATED​

I liked Brzustewicz’s finish to camp an awful lot and think he makes a lot of sense to play for Team USA in this tournament. They have a lot of puck-movers already, but Brzustewicz has 40 points in 25 games in the OHL – on pace for more than 100 points from the back end this season. Points aren’t everything, but Brzustewicz’s game has continued to mature from his NTDP days. UPDATE: Sources have indicated Brzustewicz may not be getting an invite to camp after all as USA already has a lot of similar players that have more defined roles for the team. I think he belongs in camp, but that may not be the case.

 

[Krangers08]

Expected.It’s like They view using the NTDP and fliping to the O as a criminal offence. Rehkopf might face some politics as well.

 

[RangerNation]

Expected.It’s like They view using the NTDP and fliping to the O as a criminal offence. Rehkopf might face some politics as well.

"Sorry Carson, we need you to lead the CHL AND be 19, better luck next year"

 

[bobber]

Expected.It’s like They view using the NTDP and fliping to the O as a criminal offence. Rehkopf might face some politics as well.

Kranger , what politics would Rehkopf face in Canada? He is a Canadian playing in the OHL. If it's the old "I will go to college in the US if certain teams draft me " that happens with almost every player in the first round every draft. I think Rehkopf would be a welcome addition for sure if he is leading or at the top of the point parade in Canada. IMO be a huge mistake not to include him if this was the case.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Kranger , what politics would Rehkopf face in Canada? He is a Canadian playing in the OHL. If it's the old "I will go to college in the US if certain teams draft me " that happens with almost every player in the first round every draft. I think Rehkopf would be a welcome addition for sure if he is leading or at the top of the point parade in Canada. IMO be a huge mistake not to include him if this was the case.

He would face the "He isn't 19" politics.

 

[bobber]

He would face the "He isn't 19" politics.

Your right Matt. Team Canada can make some strange decisions. I know they prefer the 19 year olds. If an 18 year old though is a step above others at his position they should go that route IMO. Guess Team Canada isn't looking for ideas on these HF Boards. Especially with the trivial crap I dream up in my Old Timers

 

[ohloutsider]

Your right Matt. Team Canada can make some strange decisions. I know they prefer the 19 year olds. If an 18 year old though is a step above others at his position they should go that route IMO. Guess Team Canada isn't looking for ideas on these HF Boards. Especially with the trivial crap I dream up in my Old Timers

He may get the call to tryout, gain camp experience, let go in the end but all prepped and ready to go next year. they always have a few go that route. now if he gets there and outguns someothers who are penciled in, all bets are off.

 

[Krangers08]

Attack are making a push. Rehkopf and Barlow will be majorly sought after this summer.I’ve heard some concerns with Brzustewicz defensive game on boards, maybe they can make a push and still get assets back if he returns.

 

[RangerNation]

No Schmidt. Lam stays on 2nd line.

Kitchener at Erie:
Swick-Rehkopf-Mesar
Misaljevic-Sop-Lam
Ellinas-Stark-Romano
Bottineau-Mercer-Pugliese

Andonovski-Brzustewicz
Reid-Motew
Scott-Campbell

Parsons

 

[EvenSteven]

He may get the call to tryout, gain camp experience, let go in the end but all prepped and ready to go next year. they always have a few go that route. now if he gets there and outguns someothers who are penciled in, all bets are off.

If they aren’t interested in his game, and being 18 is their “excuse”, if they invite him to camp and he hits it out of the park, it’ll be harder explaining why they cut him.

Many times, slots filled by 18 year olds are high end elite “known” players. Players hockey Canada can use to attract an audience. Rehkopf isn’t one of them but there’s no reason why he can’t turn into one.

No Schmidt. Lam stays on 2nd line.

Kitchener at Erie:
Swick-Rehkopf-Mesar
Misaljevic-Sop-Lam
Ellinas-Stark-Romano
Bottineau-Mercer-Pugliese

Andonovski-Brzustewicz
Reid-Motew
Scott-Campbell

Parsons

Lam has played his way onto the 2nd line. Sure, he’ll drop down once Martin returns, but kudos to him.

Getting that 2nd line experience will make the 3rd line better once he slots back there.