Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[EvenSteven]

That he had the most interest. Can save the picks to restock a little or flip them for a import/defence

Have to shore up the D. IMO, two decent, veteran, middle pair D to fill in spots on the 2nd and 3rd pairings shouldn’t be expensive.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Have to shore up the D. IMO, two decent, veteran, middle pair D to fill in spots on the 2nd and 3rd pairings shouldn’t be expensive.

I would assume that MM has the next trade/signing almost ready to announce. I really don't see the team being short handed on the d for very long.

 

[RangerNation]

Rehkopf on 2nd line today. Time to shine.

 

[robertmac43]

Solid trade. Ultimately the right move from MM.

Hoping smarting can hits stride when he gets back from injury.

 

[Krangers08]

Rickard Hugg is currently playing on tsn2 if anyone is interested. Had no idea Mascherin retired (former team)

 

[Habsrule]

Rehkopf on 2nd line today. Time to shine.

I wouldn’t put too much stock on the line numbers. The players listed as healthy scratches are who I assume is on the team already.

Beck and Danielson are playing on the fourth line in the game today and going by line numbering the fourth line should be the fringe players.

Nice to see Rehkopf playing with two offensive players and I assume those are the players he is most directly competing against.

 

[RangerNation]

I wouldn’t put too much stock on the line numbers. The players listed as healthy scratches are who I assume is on the team already.

Beck and Danielson are playing on the fourth line in the game today and going by line numbering the fourth line should be the fringe players.

Nice to see Rehkopf playing with two offensive players and I assume those are the players he is most directly competing against.

I'm not really, but when I saw Beck on the 4th I took it as "let's showcase lines 1 and 2". You don't get many chances to shine in camp so this might be it.

 

[K2]

Had no idea Mascherin retired (former team)

The Forgotten Star: A Look at Adam Mascherin and his hockey career

Adam Mascherin used to be apart of the Stars organization. He just recently retired from at the age of 25. Let's look back at his whole hockey career.

blackoutdallas.com

 

[East Avenue Bully]

Anyone know where to watch the Wj/Usports game?
Rehkopf might have to be dominate the next 2 games to make the team. If he does get sent back at least he gets to play in his hometown Saturday.

I heard Yantsis is playing for the USports all star squad, awesome

 

[GeoBlue]

Motew would gain little return.

I still feel Motew is very under rated. He had a great playoff last year to the point where London was keying in on him. If we want to have any sort of success in the playoffs this year, I take Motew over Schmidt any day.

 

[Krangers08]

Think they ride with Scott for the next 2 games or add another d before the break? Josh brown hasn’t said anything yet and is usually pretty quick on trades. Could be a coincidence or might haven’t gotten a heads up another is coming.

 

[GeoBlue]

I would assume that MM has the next trade/signing almost ready to announce. I really don't see the team being short handed on the d for very long.

I agree. With those picks, he is not building for the Memorial Cup in 2027. I assume it is ammo for an upcoming trade.

 

[Jives]

Motew > Schmidt (OHL player). Good return for Schmidt.

Add a good F import, 3rd line center, 1 top 4D and then like a 4th or 5th Dman and I’m happy.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Interesting. I thought we'd keep him, and he looked like he knew his role better this year. Hard to say now at that value for an OA when you have 4 though. Hopefully MMs info on the specifics of the injury have him more confident that Martin will be good to go and healthy in time to get a good stretch of play in before the playoffs.

 

[EvenSteven]

Think they ride with Scott for the next 2 games or add another d before the break? Josh brown hasn’t said anything yet and is usually pretty quick on trades. Could be a coincidence or might haven’t gotten a heads up another is coming.

I’m good going with Scott as the 6th D for now. No need to rush to make addition(s).

 

[Ward Cornell]

Ugh

 

[EvenSteven]

Interesting. I thought we'd keep him, and he looked like he knew his role better this year. Hard to say now at that value for an OA when you have 4 though. Hopefully MMs info on the specifics of the injury have him more confident that Martin will be good to go and healthy in time to get a good stretch of play in before the playoffs.

MM is obviously all in on Martin. Surely he expects Martin to be good to go.

As was said, a top two lines with Swick / Martin on the left side? Sign me up!!

 

[All the Answers]

Ugh

Ugh what WC?

 

[Krangers08]

I’m going on the limb he has some inside sources but imagine the meltdown on the teams Facebook if this happens. I heard from some board members, they’re still that soft sell option floating around Even mention.

 

[Habsrule]

If their is a sell I think it goes one of two ways;

Brzustewicz is moved for a large amount of assets. He has to be in he too prize for defencemen in trade. If the Rangers can get a stud 16 or 17 year old defenceman in return plus multiple picks they have to consider it.

The second part I am just thinking about next years OA players. I figure they will be Parsons, Swick and then one of Miseljevic or Pugleise. Miseljevic has a lot more offence to his game but Pugleise brings a lot more intangibles. If either player can get a solid return this year then you would have to consider it.

 

[EvenSteven]

View attachment 782525I’m going on the limb he has some inside sources but imagine the meltdown on the teams Facebook if this happens. I heard from some board members, they’re still that soft sell option floating around Even mention.

I don’t think there’s a sell. Not to recoup picks with hosting in ‘27 in mind. Doesn’t make sense to make this year’s team worse for that reason when we have multiple returning assets that can be dealt for futures next year.

Protecting our ‘24 picks at this deadline is where I see MM addressing the future with ‘27 in mind. That and maybe refusing to move Reid or Romano.

Otherwise, at this point, it makes all the sense in the world to try and improve this year’s team.

 

[RangerNation]

View attachment 782525I’m going on the limb he has some inside sources but imagine the meltdown on the teams Facebook if this happens. I heard from some board members, they’re still that soft sell option floating around Even mention.

Not sure what Pope is thinking here. You don't have to have strategic thinking to trade a 4th OA. This is a deal for now, because he has no choice.

 

[RB76]

I don’t think there’s a sell. Not to recoup picks with hosting in ‘27 in mind. Doesn’t make sense to make this year’s team worse for that reason when we have multiple returning assets that can be dealt for futures next year.

Protecting our ‘24 picks at this deadline is where I see MM addressing the future with ‘27 in mind. That and maybe refusing to move Reid or Romano.

Otherwise, at this point, it makes all the sense in the world to try and improve this year’s team.

I think right now MM might be hoping to pull another rabbit out of that hat.

Perhaps he can address our needs by filling the import slot and adding some inexpensive veteran pieces to improve the team without having to give up a first rounder or multiple pics.

 

[bobber]

Not sure what Pope is thinking here. You don't have to have strategic thinking to trade a 4th OA. This is a deal for now, because he has no choice.

MM is a strategic thinker? His strategy last year at the deadline put the team in Mother Hubbard syndrome and left the cupboards bare. As GM MM has created a bit of a dilemma for himself. You can't keep going to the well and expect to stay competitive each season. In saying this he did a hell of a job in the last draft and came away with some solid future players. I don't put a lot of stock into what some of the directors come up with in the concourse at the old hallowed hall. Some of them never played hockey with rubber boots on. In the end MM has to do what he thinks is the proper thing to do for the future of the team to keep it competitive.

 

[EvenSteven]

I think right now MM might be hoping to pull another rabbit out of that hat.

Perhaps he can address our needs by filling the import slot and adding some inexpensive veteran pieces to improve the team without having to give up a first rounder or multiple pics.

That’s the direction I think he goes in. Then, only if he can’t get it done on the cheap, he may bite the bullet and move that 1st. That likely would be his last resort.