Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[Krangers08]

Brantford took care of Petes tonight. They are no slouch these days.

Do we know when Mesar is leaving? I assume Rehkopf still plays Saturday, misses Sunday (and onward)

Mesar flys out Sunday so his missing the game. I’d assumed rehkopf doesnt play because camp starts Sunday night.although they could just get him a driver to Oakville after the game.

 

[bobber]

He’s basically Niagara Josh brown. JB could do the same if he wanted but doesn’t as they give him a heads up before announcements. He’s the only one that I recall does this. Up until a couple years ago there was a guy on Twitter that had every trade before it was announced

Kranger think you are referring to someone called OHL Insider or some such handle I believe. He use to throw BS at the barn door most of the time hoping it would stick. He was a legend in his own mind. If Niagara is giving this person(reporter) a heads up on trades to throw out on twitter while that particular player is penciled in to play the same day they do need to see a physiatrist. No other team does anything remotely like this. To do the same thing on HF a poster has to be vetted to avoid being banned or put on probation I believe. Just doesn't seem copasetic or fair to the player IMO.

 

[GeoBlue]

Mesar flys out Sunday so his missing the game. I’d assumed rehkopf doesnt play because camp starts Sunday night.although they could just get him a driver to Oakville after the game.

I have considered all the scenarios for Rake. I do hope they consider his fatigue factor after playing a 3 in 3 and still getting ready for practice after game 3 and a ride on the 401 / 403.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Who thought any of us would be talking about how to strengthen the team for a major run? I sure didn't. I have to agree that this team deserves a chance to go to the Memorial Cup. With the right additions...ones that fit in with the chemistry of the team (hugely important IMO)...this group of Rangers could go far. Why wait for the "possibility" of a future Mem Cup? If this was then, the Rangers would be making that run. So go for it now.

Will Pobezal show up in the new year? Love to see that. Will Schmidt be used in a trade? Sure he's a big body but I haven't seen him use it much and now that he's had time to settle in, he hasn't exactly sparkled. MM could package a couple of players for a trade...maybe even a 2-parter....but I wouldn't touch the few good picks the Rangers have in the next draft.

I wouldn't want to be MM...

 

[EvenSteven]

I have considered all the scenarios for Rake. I do hope they consider his fatigue factor after playing a 3 in 3 and still getting ready for practice after game 3 and a ride on the 401 / 403.

I’d be surprised if he plays Sunday.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I’d be surprised if he plays Sunday.

"Shocked" would be my word if CR plays Sunday.

 

[GeoBlue]

"Shocked" would be my word if CR plays Sunday.

Quite seriously, if I were Juicy, I'd consider giving him the Saturday off as well. Maybe giving Rake the option for that one? Even trying out for the Junior team is a great development opportunity. I'd want him to be fully prepared and rested.

 

[RB76]

Who thought any of us would be talking about how to strengthen the team for a major run? I sure didn't. I have to agree that this team deserves a chance to go to the Memorial Cup. With the right additions...ones that fit in with the chemistry of the team (hugely important IMO)...this group of Rangers could go far. Why wait for the "possibility" of a future Mem Cup? If this was then, the Rangers would be making that run. So go for it now.

Will Pobezal show up in the new year? Love to see that. Will Schmidt be used in a trade? Sure he's a big body but I haven't seen him use it much and now that he's had time to settle in, he hasn't exactly sparkled. MM could package a couple of players for a trade...maybe even a 2-parter....but I wouldn't touch the few good picks the Rangers have in the next draft.

I wouldn't want to be MM...

I want my cake and eat too… I agree this team deserves the chance to win the OHL and Memorial Cup. With a couple of high character and talented additions they could take a shot, I just don’t want them to give up too much.

There are no guarantees in any of this, in the NHL you typically have a number of cup contenders each year who have a realistic shot at winning the cup. It usually comes down to a whole host of intangibles, luck and some good bounces.

Even if we sell off the young guys and load up on a super team the chances of winning it all are slim.

 

[Billyjack]

I want my cake and eat too… I agree this team deserves the chance to win the OHL and Memorial Cup. With a couple of high character and talented additions they could take a shot, I just don’t want them to give up too much.

There are no guarantees in any of this, in the NHL you typically have a number of cup contenders each year who have a realistic shot at winning the cup. It usually comes down to a whole host of intangibles, luck and some good bounces.

Even if we sell off the young guys and load up on a super team the chances of winning it all are slim.

Hoping like hell MM doesn't get any illusions of grandeur and sell any of Stark, Romano, Lam or Reid.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Kranger think you are referring to someone called OHL Insider or some such handle I believe. He use to throw BS at the barn door most of the time hoping it would stick. He was a legend in his own mind. If Niagara is giving this person(reporter) a heads up on trades to throw out on twitter while that particular player is penciled in to play the same day they do need to see a physiatrist. No other team does anything remotely like this. To do the same thing on HF a poster has to be vetted to avoid being banned or put on probation I believe. Just doesn't seem copasetic or fair to the player IMO.

I remember him being particularly vitriolic about the Eric Guest situation, accusing the Rangers of wrongfully ascribing a somewhat rare disorder one can be afflicted with due to extreme marijuana usage, only for Guest to come out a couple years later and explain that he in fact did end up having that (or very similar marijuana related issue) develop while using to to cope with other anxieties/mental health issues.

Hoping like hell MM doesn't get any illusions of grandeur and sell any of Stark, Romano, Lam or Reid.

I want to keep them all, but I could part with Roman if we had to. Reid for me is untouchable, Lam and Stark can't be moved this year (not that they would, especially not Lam).

 

[bobber]

Who thought any of us would be talking about how to strengthen the team for a major run? I sure didn't. I have to agree that this team deserves a chance to go to the Memorial Cup. With the right additions...ones that fit in with the chemistry of the team (hugely important IMO)...this group of Rangers could go far. Why wait for the "possibility" of a future Mem Cup? If this was then, the Rangers would be making that run. So go for it now.

Will Pobezal show up in the new year? Love to see that. Will Schmidt be used in a trade? Sure he's a big body but I haven't seen him use it much and now that he's had time to settle in, he hasn't exactly sparkled. MM could package a couple of players for a trade...maybe even a 2-parter....but I wouldn't touch the few good picks the Rangers have in the next draft.

I wouldn't want to be MM...

MM has to look at the OA situation first likely. Martin has proven to be injury prone somewhat and that will factor in to any trade. Would MM get more for Schmidt going forward when trades really start mounting up? Pretty sure he has already fielded some inquiries on rookies. Things are probably cooking behind the scenes. All depends on what the plan is going to be I guess. We were all surprised at what he accomplished in the draft. Hopefully MM does as well making adjustments if he goes in that direction. I hate to give up these young rookies. Cupboard is kind of bare so it is a challenge.

 

[rangersblues]

Kranger think you are referring to someone called OHL Insider or some such handle I believe. He use to throw BS at the barn door most of the time hoping it would stick. He was a legend in his own mind. If Niagara is giving this person(reporter) a heads up on trades to throw out on twitter while that particular player is penciled in to play the same day they do need to see a physiatrist. No other team does anything remotely like this. To do the same thing on HF a poster has to be vetted to avoid being banned or put on probation I believe. Just doesn't seem copasetic or fair to the player IMO.

I think the fact this person who is fairly closely connected with the Icedogs is doing this kind of thing speaks volumes about how dysfunctional that franchise still is.

 

[EvenSteven]

……. Hopefully MM does as well making adjustments if he goes in that direction. I hate to give up these young rookies. Cupboard is kind of bare so it is a challenge.

Let’s hope he does a better job than he did last year. We had one kind of player last year and he added more of the same kind of player.

 

[EvenSteven]

I remember him being particularly vitriolic about the Eric Guest situation, accusing the Rangers of wrongfully ascribing a somewhat rare disorder one can be afflicted with due to extreme marijuana usage, only for Guest to come out a couple years later and explain that he in fact did end up having that (or very similar marijuana related issue) develop while using to to cope with other anxieties/mental health issues.


I want to keep them all, but I could part with Roman if we had to. Reid for me is untouchable, Lam and Stark can't be moved this year (not that they would, especially not Lam).

Lam’s emergence makes Romano expendable from this year’s team. Any void created in moving Romano would be filled via next year’s sell off.

 

[Jives]

Vandenberg traded to Sudbury for 2 3rds. We got a 2nd and 5th for him.

 

[RangerNation]

Vandenberg traded to Sudbury for 2 3rds. We got a 2nd and 5th for him.

They may see him 2 more times this year. Surely he only get's 1 revenge game against us.

 

[Krangers08]

Vandenberg traded to Sudbury for 2 3rds. We got a 2nd and 5th for him.

What value MM got this summer. Especially if Erie sells like their boards are suggesting.

 

[bobber]

What value MM got this summer. Especially if Erie sells like their boards are suggesting.

Kranger. That fellow that you mentioned hit the nail on the head on the trade. Isn't it strange they would give out the info before the kid finished playing for them/ Different franchise than most. Sudbury got a good goalie out of the deal if they can get a decent defense in front of him.

 

[bobber]

Question? Wonder what the status is of Luca DiFelice as far as a future tender goes with the Rangers? He is a huge goalie 6'4" with a great skill set. Seemed to have disappeared off the radar for some reason. Not much was said of what happened with him and whether he would be back here between the pipes.

 

[Ward Cornell]

They may see him 2 more times this year. Surely he only get's 1 revenge game against us.

or maybe the Rangers have 2 revenge games left in them. Just don't ask me what the revenge is about though!

 

[EvenSteven]

Kranger. That fellow that you mentioned hit the nail on the head on the trade. Isn't it strange they would give out the info before the kid finished playing for them/ Different franchise than most. Sudbury got a good goalie out of the deal if they can get a decent defense in front of him.

It happens with more than one team. Usually not the team that leaks this kind of info but could come from scouts, billets, agents, players, etc.

Hockey insiders out there have their contacts.

or maybe the Rangers have 2 revenge games left in them. Just don't ask me what the revenge is about though!

No reason for Vandenberg to seek revenge. We gave him a shot at being a #1. That wasn’t going to happen here.

 

[Krangers08]

Prospect update

Andrew Macniel 8 points in 23 games. (Used in a shutdown role)

Cameron Arquette 18 points in 26 games

Owen Edwards 11-0 2.26GAA

Giancola 12 points in 27 games

Haeden Ellis 22 points in 23 games

Drew McLennan 13 points in 15 games (OJHL call up for Markham)

Mireleles 13 points in 23 games (invited to league all star game)

Difelice 2 games 4.56. GAA

Mcgurn 12 points in 25 games

Thomakos 8 points 21 games

McFadden 30 points 29 games

Brayden Besner 15 points in 26 games

 

[Krangers08]

I’m feeling a hamara legacy game tonight.

 

[bobber]

I’m feeling a hamara legacy game tonight.

Hamara has done well in Brantford. Right up at the top of the league in plus/minus. Picked up points along the way.

 

[K2]