Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 3)

[All the Answers]

Even Ride went for a hefty amount of picks. Ruh roh.

Pretty much the type of D kitchener needs.

 

[Gondrex]

Can’t stand pat and expect to win. Need atleast a D and a depth F. That is a minimum. I feel he will get something done for sure.

Completely understand....and as mentioned further above, you could look at this many ways. The question is, if you do make trades (i.e. removing whatever crumbs you have left in the cupboard) how much conviction does one have that the team will go through the gauntlet to get to the Memorial Cup - which to me is the whole point of sacrificing a part of what looks like a bright future.

If Kitchener was in the East, I personally think one could make a better case. Next to Saginaw, assuming all things being equal, the odds to make it to the dance are higher in that conference than for those in the West (because the host is in the West).....and that's not even mentioning having to make it past London, Soo, Saginaw (who keep loading up), etc, etc.

I can't say that someone with an opposing view is wrong, but man, it's a roll of the dice in my opinion.

 

[Krangers08]

Even Ride went for a hefty amount of picks. Ruh roh.

I like the goalie they got. Solid 05

 

[EvenSteven]

I wanted to be sellers but that’s unrealistic at this point. Seems like if they make a move it would be considered an overpayment based on the market. Just run with what you have, take the early exit, and pray you get brzustewicz returned next year to trade.

I doubt he comes back next year. No way we should expect it.

 

[Ranger77]

“It’s a little slow right now,” said McKenzie, of the trade market. “We’re going to wait and see if something makes sense for us to do it. Then by all means we’re OK with being aggressive and doing something. That being said we’re not going to act desperately or do something really silly either.”
So, don’t expect the Rangers to part with one of their prized rookies or fistfuls of draft picks for a rental player.
Kitchener does have an open import slot and kicked the tires on Sarnia forward Sandis Vilmanis before the Latvian was shipped to North Bay for a package that included 2023 first-round pick Carter Kostuch.
One free addition could be highly-touted Rangers import Tomas Pobezal. The 17-year-old is back from a hand injury and currently playing in a Slovakian men’s league.

Too bad he didn't take that cautious approach last trade deadline.

 

[EvenSteven]

Too bad he didn't take that cautious approach last trade deadline.

He keeps being cautious, and there’ll be nothing left to acquire.

Or is he holding out for an 11th hours deal to score what he needs on the cheap like the deal that saw Suzuki and co. go to Guelph?

More than likely if he has anything on the burner, he’s waiting til the team gets home from the northern swing?

 

[Krangers08]

Has the 1st rounder deadline passed?

 

[EvenSteven]

There is no 1st rounder deadline. They can be traded up until the 10th.

 

[Gondrex]

I suspct by Bottineaus 4th yr he'll be a beast in this league

I'm guilty of not have giving Bottineau enough credit earlier on this season. He was always a hard worker, but that work ethic has been paying off on the score sheet lately. His play with the puck and decision-making seems to have greatly improved from what I see. If not for him, the 2022 draft would have been a complete write-off.

 

[Krangers08]

I'm guilty of not have giving Bottineau enough credit earlier on this season. He was always a hard worker, but that work ethic has been paying off on the score sheet lately. His play with the puck and decision-making seems to have greatly improved from what I see.

agreed he can be one of the many who have benefited from Kyrzakos. a hound on the puck and could of had a another goal on the breakaway

Or is he holding out for an 11th hours deal to score what he needs on the cheap like the deal that saw Suzuki and co. go to Guelph?

Maybe Donovan MCcoy?

 

[Squirrel88]

I'm guilty of not have giving Bottineau enough credit earlier on this season. He was always a hard worker, but that work ethic has been paying off on the score sheet lately. His play with the puck and decision-making seems to have greatly improved from what I see. If not for him, the 2022 draft would have been a complete write-off.

Not sure that you were guilty of anything. Bott's play has improved a lot. He seems to be trying to do more. It doesn't always work, but it has been encouraging.

In terms of moves, I doubt KIT does much. The type of D they really need is probably not available on the market and they likely don't want to pay the price anyway.

 

[Krangers08]

Morey has improved as well

 

[EvenSteven]

Maybe Donovan MCcoy?

Or, go to Guelph and one stop shop? D-men Buchinger and Budnick?

They’d cost a ton (bodies and picks) but at the end of the day, fixes our D. And again, next year’s sell off replaces a lot of the assets.

Spitballing here.

 

[Jives]

Add Alriksson too then to fill the import spot. LW would be giants…Swick, Martin and this guy. Buchinger would be expensive but exactly what we need.

 

[EvenSteven]

Add Alriksson too then to fill the import spot. LW would be giants…Swick, Martin and this guy. Buchinger would be expensive but exactly what we need.

That’s if Guelph is selling. They might be.

I think we can afford the two D but adding Alriksson may be too expensive. Especially since he’s an 05.

 

[EvenSteven]

“It’s a little slow right now,” said McKenzie, of the trade market. “We’re going to wait and see if something makes sense for us to do it. Then by all means we’re OK with being aggressive and doing something. That being said we’re not going to act desperately or do something really silly either.”
So, don’t expect the Rangers to part with one of their prized rookies or fistfuls of draft picks for a rental player.
Kitchener does have an open import slot and kicked the tires on Sarnia forward Sandis Vilmanis before the Latvian was shipped to North Bay for a package that included 2023 first-round pick Carter Kostuch.
One free addition could be highly-touted Rangers import Tomas Pobezal. The 17-year-old is back from a hand injury and currently playing in a Slovakian men’s league.

When was his quote dated? Surely he can see by now that adding to the defense makes sense and he should be aggressive in doing something about it.

 

[Squirrel88]

When was his quote dated? Surely he can see by now that adding to the defense makes sense and he should be aggressive in doing something about it.

In the record today.

I think that adding the defence makes sense, but not sure about the aggressive part. If Kitchener stands pat, they likely end up 4th in the conference and lose in the second round. If they add a couple D they likely end up 4th in the conference and lose in the second round.

KIT would need to add a lot to be favourites over Sag, Soo or Ldn in a 7 game series.

 

[EvenSteven]

In the record today.

I think that adding the defence makes sense, but not sure about the aggressive part. If Kitchener stands pat, they likely end up 4th in the conference and lose in the second round. If they add a couple D they likely end up 4th in the conference and lose in the second round.

KIT would need to add a lot to be favourites over Sag, Soo or Ldn in a 7 game series.

I’m not so sure if we add a couple good D that we wouldn’t go to the third round. I’m also not so sure we drop to 4th. Depends on what London does?

But should your take be true, I contend that we should sell.

We could sell off Hunter B, Sop, and Mesar. All three would be in demand.
We’d still likely finish in fourth and lose in the second round.

But our future would be in a lot better shape.

 

[Billyjack]

I say add one defense, then stand pat. This team could be really good next year as well

 

[Krangers08]

Sounds like Sale is headed to flint. in the neighborhood of 4 picks. Not sure he would fit Jussi style or buy in.

 

[Phatpat88]

They need to add a dman and figure out if Martin is coming back. Fill the 1 euro spot that we have open as well if there is any import players to have I know there always tricky to trade.

 

[Gondrex]

Whatever MM eventually does, I continue to hope that he doesn't touch the deep '07 group we have now, and also leaves the 2024 draft selection intact. Two good consecutive drafts would go a long way as talked about here before.

In this situation, going forward you not only maintain your (2) 07 first rounders in Reid and Romano (along with the rest of the promising 07's), but also obviously get this coming year's first rounder, along with the potential of an additional '08 from a Rehkopf trade (assuming he comes back - not absolutely 100% guaranteed). I believe the Rangers also own Erie's 2nd rounder this coming draft.

So, two '07 first rounders, with the possibility of (2) '08 first rounders, Lam, Stark, Arquette, MacNeil, Edwards and whatever is gained from the upcoming draft. Very promising going forward IMO.

I know there is the live-today-and-let-the-future-take-care-of-itself crowd. But I see a glorious opportunity staring MM in the face here. Besides, I think a Soo fan could make the case that they already potentially own the best '07 one-two offensive punch in Martin and Hayes. Making the right decision now for the sake of this team's future keeps us up there IMO.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

If prices are high, I kind of want to trade Brz. I see a similarily good shot next year, as this year at this point, with the advantage of a not-dead draft cupboard if we trade a Brz type player this year.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

“It’s a little slow right now,” said McKenzie, of the trade market. “We’re going to wait and see if something makes sense for us to do it. Then by all means we’re OK with being aggressive and doing something. That being said we’re not going to act desperately or do something really silly either.”
So, don’t expect the Rangers to part with one of their prized rookies or fistfuls of draft picks for a rental player.
Kitchener does have an open import slot and kicked the tires on Sarnia forward Sandis Vilmanis before the Latvian was shipped to North Bay for a package that included 2023 first-round pick Carter Kostuch.
One free addition could be highly-touted Rangers import Tomas Pobezal. The 17-year-old is back from a hand injury and currently playing in a Slovakian men’s league.

Josh Brown article........many of us don't want MM to do something that will do more harm than good. Glad to hear that he sees it our way!

And still in the works.......Pobezal. Again, if he said a definite "no", it would be reported. I still wouldn't be surprised if Mesar didn't chime in with the Pobezal family while back at home. He can provide a firsthand assessment of what to expect with the Rangers and the OHL. Development lies here in Kitchener not on some Slovak men's league.

 

[bobber]

Maybe MM is looking at a Robby Fabbri deal. Rights to Poitras. Kidding I think MM is proceeding with caution. He gave away a bunch of assets last year. Rangers were suppose to be a contender. At the end of the season he turned the team into a pretender. To keep the team half assed each season you have to have some sort of assets like 2nd round picks in the cupboard. Otherwise you miss out on the more skilled players in drafts. MM has the pleasure of having some of the top scoring forwards and the highest scoring defenseman in the league at his service. I still think he makes a deal but if he doesn't and we keep our 07s that's fine. His biggest assets are our top players. They would have been the most sought after at this deadline by every GM worth his salt.