Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part 4)

[Jives]

I’d rather go through a bad stretch now than in playoffs. Getting Reid and Martin back will help. Hopefully Misa isn’t out long term. If the Rangers play to their potential they can beat anyone. Just have to get hot at the right time…..playoffs.

 

[Krangers08]

Since the trade talk have started again. Will they start unloading in the June trade window or wait? Will they add any picks to this draft class in the April trade window?

*Kitcheners 2nd round pick ( now belonging to Sudbury) was originally part of the Stanley trade.

 

[rangersblues]

Since the trade talk have started again. Will they start unloading in the June trade window or wait? Will they add any picks to this draft class in the April trade window?

*Kitcheners 2nd round pick ( now belonging to Sudbury) was originally part of the Stanley trade.

I highly doubt they will start unloading much before the trade deadline, let alone the off season. I don't recall them ever doing that.

Frankly it's anyone's guess what even happens.

 

[EvenSteven]

Since the trade talk have started again. Will they start unloading in the June trade window or wait? Will they add any picks to this draft class in the April trade window?

*Kitcheners 2nd round pick ( now belonging to Sudbury) was originally part of the Stanley trade.

I actually expected a move last off season involving Brzustewicz. I was all caught up in that lopsided deal with Saginaw that brought us the pick that we used to draft Lam. Never happened.

We have no picks of any consequence to move in order to improve our draft position in any of the early rounds, in either this draft or any future draft. Don’t expect anything of any significance happening in the week leading up to the draft.

I think if there is any type of deal done before the start of the season, you might see an excess OA moved or even a goalie. Goalies usually lose their value as the season wears on. If the Rangers feel that in a rebuilding season, they can get value for Parsons, I can see them moving him to a contender and going with a Malboeuf / Edwards tandem, 50/50 split. Malboeuf has proven to be capable and it gets Edwards the minutes.

If the Rangers did decide to go in that direction, that deal likely has to happen pre season.

I agree we wait on moving others until we get deep into the season.



 

[Krangers08]

EF- "The CHL & the NCAA are talking very seriously about if you are eligible to go to school in the United States after your CHL career is done, you can go play for an NCAA Team"

"This Merger is going to happen at some point"

Would be massive for the league and convincing high level Americans to come back, on top of the reports that Russians will be allowed back in the import draft

 

[GeoBlue]

Russians will be allowed back in the import draft

Is the war over in the Ukraine? LOL! Nothing against your comment. I just laugh at these situations where our democracies make a decision to supposedly "punish" a country but back off way soon.

I might add that I was never for this type of ban. The athletes that get penalized in these sort of things never have anything to do with their country's military decisions.

 

[RB76]

Will NCAA coaches vote to allow CHL players to play U.S. college hockey?

www.sportsnet.ca

Could be a great opportunity for the majority of youngsters who don’t make it directly to the show.

 

[Krangers08]

Wow! Anyone putting in a bid?

 

[Rangers True Blue]

The silence is deafening. I'm sure it's been quite a challenging week as the coaches and the players re-group and get back to what made them the #1 team in the OHL and the highest scoring team overall. That was not a fluke. And while the 2nd half of the season will be tougher (and rougher), there's no reason to not be competitive and make every game a close one.

GO RANGERS!

 

[bobber]

The silence is deafening. I'm sure it's been quite a challenging week as the coaches and the players re-group and get back to what made them the #1 team in the OHL and the highest scoring team overall. That was not a fluke. And while the 2nd half of the season will be tougher (and rougher), there's no reason to not be competitive and make every game a close one.

GO RANGERS!

I think Ranger fans lost confidence in this team that last few games. There was a bit of a spark when they went up north with a bunch of players missing and put an effort in. Then get back to an almost full squad and put up a couple of stinkers. That put a lot of fans on the fence or maybe the edge. Hopefully a few of the vets start to take the team on their back for a change other than Sop. These next few games will give this team an identity of what they will be in the 2nd half.

 

[RB76]

Let’s hope the group had a good week at practice. Opportunity for the coaching staff to make some adjustments and challenge these boys to get back to work and ready for the stretch run.

Looking at the standings, London And Saginaw look likely to finish 1st and 2nd. We are in a fight 3rd to 6th. Not sure what our best matchup would be?

 

[GeoBlue]

I'm hoping to hear the status on Missile. Anyone?

 

[bobber]

Roman Schmidt running at just above a point a game since the trade. Kingston got their monies worth in the deal.

 

[Krangers08]

Roman Schmidt running at just above a point a game since the trade. Kingston got their monies worth in the deal.

Some succeed under different play styles. Playing top unit and PP. Blair Scott is also having a solid start in Barrie.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

From Josh Brown's article:

“I think it’s known that we’ve had enough,” said Motew. “At the start of this year expectations were low for our team. We made a stand in the locker-room that that’s not how it’s going to be. We went out every night and worked hard and got results. We got away from that. We got used to winning. We forgot what it takes to win. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Missile is expected to play. No Martin. No Reid.

Schmidt has been out on suspension for 6 games but will be back in the lineup for Kingston.

Jussi made the team work and work hard this week. Now let's see some results!

 

[robertmac43]

I got a feeling we get back to winning ways tonight. Sounds like the team got a good week of practice under their belts.

 

[nelli27]

View attachment 816004Wow! Anyone putting in a bid?

Nice jerseys, only a few hours left in auction as I type this. Most bids on jerseys are reasonably priced.

 

[Krangers08]

Seems like there is more player accountability this year then years pasted and they’re truly buying into Jussi’s culture based on the quotes today and Motews post game interview in Erie.
It was just embarrassing,” said Rangers centre Cameron Mercer. “We go into every game with a logo, team and city to represent. For us to go out and crap the bed like that isn’t a good look and we were taught a lesson and it’s one we needed to be taught.”

There are no excuses,” said Mercer. “We weren’t ready to go at puck drop and that has been the case a few times this year. It’s something we need to figure out. Better to figure that out now then in March or in the playoffs.”

The team held a players’ meeting after the game in Erie to remind each other how they got here.
“I think it’s known that we’ve had enough,” said Motew. “At the start of this year expectations were low for our team. We made a stand in the locker-room that that’s not how it’s going to be. We went out every night and worked hard and got results. We got away from that. We got used to winning. We forgot what it takes to win. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

“We saw the first half of the year where we were flying every single game,” said Motew. “Even our losses were really close. It’s humbling to go into Erie and lose or get blown out by London (10-3 on Jan. 20). It brings you down to earth and makes you get off your high horse.
“I think we needed that. Now it’s time to go to work.”

 

[EvenSteven]

Seems like there is more player accountability this year then years pasted and they’re truly buying into Jussi’s culture based on the quotes today and Motews post game interview in Erie.
It was just embarrassing,” said Rangers centre Cameron Mercer. “We go into every game with a logo, team and city to represent. For us to go out and crap the bed like that isn’t a good look and we were taught a lesson and it’s one we needed to be taught.”

There are no excuses,” said Mercer. “We weren’t ready to go at puck drop and that has been the case a few times this year. It’s something we need to figure out. Better to figure that out now then in March or in the playoffs.”

The team held a players’ meeting after the game in Erie to remind each other how they got here.
“I think it’s known that we’ve had enough,” said Motew. “At the start of this year expectations were low for our team. We made a stand in the locker-room that that’s not how it’s going to be. We went out every night and worked hard and got results. We got away from that. We got used to winning. We forgot what it takes to win. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

“We saw the first half of the year where we were flying every single game,” said Motew. “Even our losses were really close. It’s humbling to go into Erie and lose or get blown out by London (10-3 on Jan. 20). It brings you down to earth and makes you get off your high horse.
“I think we needed that. Now it’s time to go to work.”

Actions speak louder than words. We’ll see what happens this weekend.

I’m thinking Kingston better put their seatbelts on tonight.

 

[K2]

I'm hoping to hear the status on Missile. Anyone?

Seems OK after 1 period & had a couple shots.

 

[Ranger77]

Ugh! Ugly finish to this one. Hunter B. with miscues on the 4th and 5th goals.

 

[All the Answers]

Kitchener is so aggravating to watch post WJHC.

 

[Krangers08]

I turned it off after Lam missed the net, could feel it coming. Lost the momentum after both goals with penalty’s

 

[All the Answers]

Ugh! Ugly finish to this one. Hunter B. with miscues on the 4th and 5th goals.

Obviously USA hockey got it right. Waaaayyyy too many of these this year. Goal 5 was Swick getting his feet tied up with Rehkopf and going down then unable to get out to the point man. Goal 4 was all Hunter. He needs to keep it simple and whack that puck to the corner or high tail his a$$ back.

 

[bobber]

Rangers have Benjamin Button syndrome. Started out like a house on fire the first third of the season. Now they look like a team on the bubble to make the play offs this season. No real structure to their game anymore. They had it at the beginning and somehow lost what ever it was earlier. We saw how talented they were when they were putting up five a game. 7 losses in 8 games now. Power play is running at 8% according to Fixter. Losing to teams below them in the standings now. It's either coaching or the team is not as talented as we think and not following what they are being instructed to do at practice. Kingston had the better looks in this game IMO.