Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 2)

[rangersblues]

I hope they don't think they can get away with playing one or two good periods and win. Less than stellar efforts vs Windsor imo.

 

[RangerNation]

Yikes. What a baaaaad game. Take the win, regroup and forget about Windsor. They lost their ability to exit the zone cleanly. Erie about to win against London. No lazy efforts on Tuesday.

 

[GeoBlue]

Not many goalies in the league stopping those 2 Rehkopf goals.

 

[rangersblues]

Not many goalies in the league stopping those 2 Rehkopf goals.

Rehkopf has as lethal of a shot as anyone I recall in junior.

 

[Krangers08]

Rehkopf has as lethal of a shot as anyone I recall in junior.

He’s has had a pro shot since u16. His angle and accuracy this year is nuts

 

[Matttheleaf]

Idk what the Rangers have to do to draw more power plays. They are currently first in the league but have the 5th fewest power plays...

 

[Rangers True Blue]

So they're down 3-1 in the 3rd and you think....what a lacklustre game for the Rangers. Then Sop scores and 20 seconds later, Sop scores again. It was like flicking a switch and presto, the boys pick up the tempo and away we go. Credit to Windsor to keep pushing back and Malboeuf made some solid saves to keep them off the scoreboard. I said that it's time for the top line to step up and BOOM....Rehkopf to the rescue. All in all....5 unanswered goals and boom....2 more points.

However, this type of effort and play won't bode well on Tuesday against Erie...

 

[RangerNation]

Idk what the Rangers have to do to draw more power plays. They are currently first in the league but have the 5th fewest power plays...

It wasn't without trying. I counted at least 5 missed calls. 3 hooks, 1 interference and 1 trip. If the refs don't raise their arm, not much you can do.

 

[bobber]

Rangers finally showed up in the 3rd and picked up the two points. Spits were trapping , hooking , holding and chirping and it worked for two periods. Rangers got sucked into a few penalties. Spits closed the lanes off and bumped Ranger forwards enough to break up most rushes through two periods. The elephant in the room the last two games is the soft plays in the Ranger's defensive end. No urgency moving pucks and getting trapped in their end. Surprised at this with the new coaching staff. It was obvious on TV. They were playing the last place squad in the league. In reality they are not going to produce a master piece every game. Some credit has to go the opposition for their game plan.

 

[Krangers08]

Yay! Watching Butters systems on a Tuesday. It’s kinda weird how they’re coming here for a Tuesday game and headed right back. Some of the leagues schedule this year seems odd.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

If MM decides this team is legit and a contender… what is the shopping list?

Goaltending is fine (Hockey Canada has begun their due diligence on Parsons as a WJC camp attendee and has been in the building the last few games).

The backend is likely standing pat unless one of your OA’s (Motew/Schmidt) becomes the one on the outside looking in come the new year.

I’m guessing depth (and specifically size/bite) is the #1 thing on the shopping list come December and into the trade deadline.

A bonus now is having the extra Import slot to work with.

Thoughts? Who’d you like to see the Rangers target?

Bring some espresso for the Butler-snoozer tomorrow!

 

[Krangers08]

I’m guessing depth (and specifically size/bite) is the #1 thing on the shopping list come December and into the trade deadline.

If they do add I think it would be a low to mid cost 3rd line centre, someone worth 2 3rds? Or maybe they make a swap that includes mercer. 2 players that could use a fresh start and different opportunities.
I agree with the bite comment as it’s needed in the playoffs and someone to join Martin

 

[Gondrex]

.....A bonus now is having the extra Import slot to work with....

With the medium term (?) injury to Tomas Pobezal, I'm not sure if that helps or hurts his chances of filling that spot.....Or maybe there was never really any consideration in the first place.

 

[bobber]

Rangers are the team with the target on their backs. At this moment in time opposing teams will use beating the Rangers as a measuring stick. They have the top players in the league at the moment and are the highest scoring team. MM has to be excited by the results Jussi , his staff and the players have placed before him. MM mentioned in the interview on the tube he was satisfied with the way the team is performing. Reading between lines he sounds like he will make decisions further into the season. This could change if a deal he can't refuse comes along or some other issue forces his hand. He does have to deal with the OA issue. Whether he brings in another import is another question.

 

[EvenSteven]

First off, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th we have the the next draft must be off limits to be traded. Have to protect the ‘08 draft class. I’d rather move a bottom six player or two to close a deal.

Fill the import spot with ‘04 LW-Vilmanis from Sarnia. They’re rebuilding and he won’t be back next year for a 3rd’27, 4th’25 (Hamara return) assuming we are moving on from Martin.

Bring in a depth 04 veteran forward or two to play third line minutes. Bottineau, Morey, Mercer plus mid range picks could get this done?

C-Ben Bujold-Hamilton
C-Zack Filak-Sarnia
LW-Colton Smith-Windsor
C-Micheal Podolioukh-Niagara

Any two of these would suffice.


This is for a soft buy. I’m still in the wait and see category. Not 100% moved on from selling yet, though I’m betting MM is unless this thing crashes in the next few weeks.

 

[RB76]

First off, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th we have the the next draft must be off limits to be traded. Have to protect the ‘08 draft class. I’d rather move a bottom six player or two to close a deal.

Fill the import spot with ‘04 LW-Vilmanis from Sarnia. They’re rebuilding and he won’t be back next year for a 3rd’27, 4th’25 (Hamara return) assuming we are moving on from Martin.

Bring in a depth 04 veteran forward or two to play third line minutes. Bottineau, Morey, Mercer plus mid range picks could get this done?

C-Ben Bujold-Hamilton
C-Zack Filak-Sarnia
LW-Colton Smith-Windsor
C-Micheal Podolioukh-Niagara

Any two of these would suffice.


This is for a soft buy. I’m still in the wait and see category. Not 100% moved on from selling yet, though I’m betting MM is unless this thing crashes in the next few weeks.

I‘m really liking this option, makes us stronger for this year without jeopardizing the future. Missy and several other teams are well setup for the next couple of years. If we can augment with a solid 08draft and continue to build out we can close the gap and be ready for a run to the cup when this group is 18/19yrs old.

 

[I Mac 80]

I think the next two and a half weeks will determine which way MM will go in regards to buying/selling. The Rangers have 11 games over that stretch which is quite a lot of hockey with a couple of three in three’s in there as well. This will really show if we have the depth needed to continue as is or we if we should add or do a soft sell.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Less than a month ago, Rangers played Erie here at the Aud. Were initially ahead 3-O when Erie came back within one. Rangers went ahead 4-2 but gave up two goals with less than 2 minutes left in the game. Now, they did win in OT but giving up that lead in the 3rd has to be a focus for tonight's game.

Erie came back against Saginaw on Friday and tied the game 2-2 only to lose by a Misa goal in the last minute of play. Then beat London 4-2 on Sunday. Coming in here from Erie....rested and ready to play. The Rangers had better get their game back in gear because this is NOT going to be an easy game tonight.

Saying all that....GO RANGERS!

 

[EvenSteven]

I think the next two and a half weeks will determine which way MM will go in regards to buying/selling. The Rangers have 11 games over that stretch which is quite a lot of hockey with a couple of three in three’s in there as well. This will really show if we have the depth needed to continue as is or we if we should add or do a soft sell.

For me, there cannot be a soft sell. Any sell at all helps vault other contenders past us. Do that, and we may as well do a fire sale.

Other contenders are already slated to get significantly better. A soft buy only helps us keep our heads above water, hopefully staying on par with the other buyers.

We don’t have the ammo to go into a hard buy to stay ahead of the others.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

First off, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th we have the the next draft must be off limits to be traded. Have to protect the ‘08 draft class. I’d rather move a bottom six player or two to close a deal.

Fill the import spot with ‘04 LW-Vilmanis from Sarnia. They’re rebuilding and he won’t be back next year for a 3rd’27, 4th’25 (Hamara return) assuming we are moving on from Martin.

Bring in a depth 04 veteran forward or two to play third line minutes. Bottineau, Morey, Mercer plus mid range picks could get this done?

C-Ben Bujold-Hamilton
C-Zack Filak-Sarnia
LW-Colton Smith-Windsor
C-Micheal Podolioukh-Niagara

Any two of these would suffice.


This is for a soft buy. I’m still in the wait and see category. Not 100% moved on from selling yet, though I’m betting MM is unless this thing crashes in the next few weeks.

In addition to some bite esp if Martin isn't back, I'd be wanting a good face off C.

With regards to an Import slot, if OS doesn't improve and go into a soft sell, what about Servac Petrovsky? He's played years w Mesar and seems to have a good skill set. Not sure if we have enough to offer up, though, esp if picks are off the table.

 

[EvenSteven]

In addition to some bite esp if Martin isn't back, I'd be wanting a good face off C.

With regards to an Import slot, if OS doesn't improve and go into a soft sell, what about Servac Petrovsky? He's played years w Mesar and seems to have a good skill set. Not sure if we have enough to offer up, though, esp if picks are off the table.

Owen Sound is starting a climb up the standings. He may not be available.

 

[DWI Dale]

It's interesting to see so many fans in the Soo, London, and Kitchener that are unsure this is the right season to go "all-in". All 3 teams are performing well so far yet none of these fanbases have full confidence in their rosters/draft cupboards.

 

[Jives]

In addition to some bite esp if Martin isn't back, I'd be wanting a good face off C.

With regards to an Import slot, if OS doesn't improve and go into a soft sell, what about Servac Petrovsky? He's played years w Mesar and seems to have a good skill set. Not sure if we have enough to offer up, though, esp if picks are off the table.

Pretty sure Petrovsky is best friends with Mesar. If OS does consider a sell and Petrovsky has a no trade maybe Kitchener is on his short list.

 

[Gondrex]

It's interesting to see so many fans in the Soo, London, and Kitchener that are unsure this is the right season to go "all-in". All 3 teams are performing well so far yet none of these fanbases have full confidence in their rosters/draft cupboards.

Saginaw has been adding, and will be adding even more. The standings you see today could very well (will ?) change by the end of the season. Saginaw knows they are going to be there, so they have no problem spending their assets. Kitchener has limited assets, and if they decide to be a buyer, no matter what they do, they will find it hard to get past a Spirit team that will be inevitably loaded.

Yes there is the "Ahokas could be gone" statement, so I understand the buyer argument. I would just send out a plea to MM not to overspend like last year, because no matter what he ultimately decides to do, the odds of coming out on top of the West is going to be low IMO - at least on paper.

 

[EvenSteven]

Saginaw has been adding, and will be adding even more. The standings you see today could very well (will ?) change by the end of the season. Saginaw knows they are going to be there, so they have no problem spending their assets. Kitchener has limited assets, and if they decide to be a buyer, no matter what they do, they will find it hard to get past a Spirit team that will be inevitably loaded.

Yes there is the "Ahokas could be gone" statement, so I understand the buyer argument. I would just send out a plea to MM not to overspend like last year, because no matter what he ultimately decides to do, the odds of coming out on top of the West is going to be low IMO - at least on paper.

We don’t have the picks to overspend like last year. So doing so this year means Reid / Romano.

Are we willing to do that? Too early to tell, but today, no.