Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 3)

[EvenSteven]

Most said Mesar wouldn't be back this year. Sale could very well be back next year. If not, maybe he can put a word in with fellow countrymen Pobezal.

Good trade. Pretty cheap all considered. Fills a need on D. Misal slides down to 3rd line for me easily, probably on the left side.

Need another D though. Get him on the cheap.

Depending on the cost, I think Mayich is a long shot. If I’m Ottawa, I want Romano in a one for one ish deal like the McCoy / Taylor deal.

Surprised if that happens.

Rangers are done ( trade wise)

Hope not. That D isn’t good enough.

 

[All the Answers]

I'm done with looking at people's potential lineups putting Swick with Rehkopf and Mesar. Although it was a short time frame, the best trio by a long shot this season was Martin with Rehkopf and Mesar. If Martin stays healthy, I'm sure they give that a long look. He plays a heavier game and is truly more skilled than Trent.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

The cost to upgrade from Campbell or Reid at 3rd pairing of Motew at 2nd will be high.

I agree with you, but not sure if we have stomach to love one of our 2007s or picks+ for a Motew upgrade at least 2nd pairing. 3rd pairing upgrade hopefully maybe?! But who in sellers and what could we move?!

 

[RangerNation]

Need another D though. Get him on the cheap.

Depending on the cost, I think Mayich is a long shot. If I’m Ottawa, I want Romano in a one for one ish deal like the McCoy / Taylor deal.

Surprised if that happens.

Hope not. That D isn’t good enough.

Well, MM has both 1st rounders and some 2024 picks to work with. Not sure how else he gets another D. The biggest issue lately isn't D depth though, it's Brzustewicz giving the puck away in the slot every shift he gets.

 

[Krangers08]

Well, MM has both 1st rounders and some 2024 picks to work with. Not sure how else he gets another D

Per JB article Rangers had all 2024 picks and 07s off the table in trade discussions

 

[Ward Cornell]

Re Sale next year, I suspect there's a very good chance he's back. Rehkopf as a linemate and fellow Kraken pick, Jussi as a coach and a competitive team. Yes, there's a chance he'll start in the AHL, but the track record shows the players tend to do better with playing in junior with top minutes.

 

[RangerNation]

Per JB article Rangers had all 2024 picks and 07s off the table in trade discussions

Then it looks like he's done!

 

[Jives]

Campbell has value. It’s too easy to lock in Bott, Ellinas and Campell as OAs in 2027. Edwards the goalie could be an option. I hope he isn’t done and gets a vet Dman for Campbell (maybe a 4th or something included).

 

[HolyRoller]

Funny enough it was finally taken down before the game on Thursday..


What else do they have to deal? It might be Jussi magic from here on out.

A forward for an experienced stay-at-home D that can eat minute to give top 4 a breather.

 

[EvenSteven]

Well, MM has both 1st rounders and some 2024 picks to work with. Not sure how else he gets another D. The biggest issue lately isn't D depth though, it's Brzustewicz giving the puck away in the slot every shift he gets.

That directly speaks to D depth at times. I wouldn’t have him on the PK. Had we a deep blueline corps, we wouldn’t have to play him in all situations as we do now. Ditto Reid.

For me, Motew, Andonovski, and two guys we don’t have (unsure of Savard yet), would play in all defensive situations.

Had we a deep D, a guy like Reid would be put into selective situations where he has a better chance to succeed.

Today, we’re either going to be playing him:
a) top four minutes or
b) play he and Campbell as the third pairing

If it’s a), he’ll be playing against seasoned veterans every shift and will eventually be exposed.

If it’s b), we’ll see Jussi overwork the top four.

For me, there has to be a Jack Harper (9th rounder), or Holden Wale (3rd, 5th, 8th) out there to be had tomorrow morning.

Campbell has value. It’s too easy to lock in Bott, Ellinas and Campell as OAs in 2027. Edwards the goalie could be an option. I hope he isn’t done and gets a vet Dman for Campbell (maybe a 4th or something included).

Edwards is an 07.

 

[RangerNation]

That directly speaks to D depth at times. I wouldn’t have him on the PK. Had we a deep blueline corps, we wouldn’t have to play him in all situations as we do now. Ditto Reid.

For me, Motew, Andonovski, and two guys we don’t have (unsure of Savard yet), would play in all defensive situations.

Had we a deep D, a guy like Reid would be put into selective situations where he has a better chance to succeed.

Today, we’re either going to be playing him:
a) top four minutes or
b) play he and Campbell as the third pairing

If it’s a), he’ll be playing against seasoned veterans every shift and will eventually be exposed.

If it’s b), we’ll see Jussi overwork the top four.

For me, there has to be a Jack Harper (9th rounder), or Holden Wale (3rd, 5th, 8th) out there to be had tomorrow morning.


Edwards is an 07.

Well, I hope MM finds him before Raftis does!

 

[robertmac43]

Agreed but at least you get a player with term in savard. Can play 2 more years

Who knows, maybe the Rangers come out flying next year when we least expect it and then Seattle sends Sale to Kitch for the opportunity to dominate on a good team :p

 

[EvenSteven]

Who knows, maybe the Rangers come out flying next year when we least expect it and then Seattle sends Sale to Kitch for the opportunity to dominate on a good team :p

Yeah. That’s all we need.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

Any chance of free agent signing Max Dirracolo being good enough for a 3rd pairing w Reid for the playoffs?

I like some of his game and compete so far in the northern swing. He didn't back down and wasn't exposed alot, granted w limited minutes

 

[RB76]

The cost to upgrade from Campbell or Reid at 3rd pairing of Motew at 2nd will be high.

I agree with you, but not sure if we have stomach to love one of our 2007s or picks+ for a Motew upgrade at least 2nd pairing. 3rd pairing upgrade hopefully maybe?! But who in sellers and what could we move?!

I would have taken Punnett for Motew, a 3rd and 6th.

 

[EvenSteven]

Any chance of free agent signing Max Dirracolo being good enough for a 3rd pairing w Reid for the playoffs?

I like some of his game and compete so far in the northern swing. He didn't back down and wasn't exposed alot, granted w limited minutes

From what I can tell so far, I think Campbell trumps Dirracolo today.

He’s physical but I thought ran around a bit in his own end. He’s raw and I think will develop into a solid stay at home guy down the road.

We truly need a vet to play third pairing with Reid.

 

[Krangers08]

Rangers are loyal to Motew. He also has a NTC as a American

 

[rangersblues]

Who knows, maybe the Rangers come out flying next year when we least expect it and then Seattle sends Sale to Kitch for the opportunity to dominate on a good team :p

I expect the team to be similar competitive wise. Which is great news. The bar has risen.

 

[Krangers08]

Not to look ahead but the Defence set for next year. Reid-Dirracolo-Andonovski-Macniel-Savard-Campbell. I imagine they add a puck moving defence in the draft. They must like this draft class if they don’t want to part with picks.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

NGL, happier now than this morning about our team.

I don't see us as an easy 1st Rd out anymore. Dunno if enuff for 2nd Rd, but can't blame MM for not shooting high.

Sale levelled up w Mesar and Rehkpof could be f***ing stupid puck shenanigans. Good and/or bad.

Ya, it'd be smarter to split them up and put Swick or Martin, but it'd be funny for S&Gs

 

[Jives]

Rangers are loyal to Motew. He also has a NTC as a American

I have no issues with Motew. I think he is an underrated player. A solid OHL player.

 

[LDN]

Edward and George for Reid and Romano or picks lol would that work?

 

[EvenSteven]

I would have taken Punnett for Motew, a 3rd and 6th.

Truth be told, I know that Martin would be a big playoff performer. But, I fear for his ability to stay healthy long term. Also, Swick has been able to replace a lot of what we’ve missed with Martin out.

So, with the Sale deal likely an eventuality before the OA deadline passed, had we done Martin, 3rd, 6th for Punnett, I think we’d be much better prepared for a deep post season run.

Then in the Sale deal, swap out a late pick for Morey to keep him around for 4th line depth.

Swick. Rehkopf. Mesar.
Sale. Sop. Miseljevic.
Bottineau. Mercer. Pugilese.
Ellinas. Morey. Lam.
Romano. Stark.

Brzustewicz. Andonovski.
Punnet. Savard.
Motew. Reid.
Campbell. Dirracolo.

It’s a lot easier to shorten the bench up front late in games than on the backend when the backend is thin. Lam and Ellinas have shown they can sub in among the top six here and there in the event of injury. That third line likely plays many more minutes than a traditional 4th line.

Not to look ahead but the Defence set for next year. Reid-Dirracolo-Andonovski-Macniel-Savard-Campbell. I imagine they add a puck moving defence in the draft. They must like this draft class if they don’t want to part with picks.

We need quantity along with quality from that draft class. A good supporting cast to the 07’s.

 

[All the Answers]

I would have taken Punnett for Motew, a 3rd and 6th.

Me neither, but Barrie would be more interested in getting more value than taking another OA back I would imagine. Could really only work as a 3 way deal if it were to happen with Motew being shipped out elsewhere.

 

[EvenSteven]

Me neither, but Barrie would be more interested in getting more value than taking another OA back I would imagine. Could really only work as a 3 way deal if it were to happen with Motew being shipped out elsewhere.

They took an OA back in the Punnett deal. (Thomas Stewart).