Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[GeoBlue]

For what it's worth Mesar did not play in Laval's season-opener. Here is one person's view:

Montreal Canadiens: Where Is The Best Place For Filip Mesar To Play?

I suppose until it is determined whether he plays in Laval, Europe, or OHL this article may be considered more of the same.

"If Mesar were sent back, he would immediately become one of the Rangers top scoring threats and would likely have a huge season in the OHL."

Didn't they say that last year?

 

[EvenSteven]

"If Mesar were sent back, he would immediately become one of the Rangers top scoring threats and would likely have a huge season in the OHL."

Didn't they say that last year?

We did too.

A year older. A lot more determination. No reason to believe he wouldn’t succeed under this coaching staff.

 

[EvenSteven]

In my opinion between now and a few years out, Kitchener will obviously need to recoup those higher valuable picks that they parted with last season to refill. But I think many would agree that this is not enough. They also need figure out a way to build up a surplus by then. If Kitchener is fortunate enough to be awarded host of the Memorial Cup tournament, you want a huge war chest. The host has a huge advantage over every other team in the entire CHL. Other teams deal with the risks of trading away their assets, while the host doesn't have the same risk.

So I think MM needs to figure out the best way to get as many of those picks as possible - which also includes the timing. There are only a limited number of players on this team that will bring in those 2nds. Mind you, of course you still need to have a willing trading partner who will offer what you expect.

It’s nice to have a huge war chest. If for no other reason, to insure we don’t go into 27-28 with an empty cupboard.

But, I contend, if we use graduating assets today to acquire high picks to draft players in the next two drafts, we won’t have to trade our way into contention as we did in 2018 and 2023.

When we hosted in 2008, we made one big time trade. Steve Mason. In 2003, our big trade was Gregory Campbell plus a couple inexpensive acquisitions.

I think that’s where we need to be going into 26-27.

 

[tjziel]

Just trade Filip Mesar’s right to London for Ruslan Gazizov and picks. Mesar gets to compete for a championship and Gazizov can help lead the team with Rehkopf.

Just kidding lol! Don’t attack me haha!

 

[GeoBlue]

We did too.

A year older. A lot more determination. No reason to believe he wouldn’t succeed under this coaching staff.

Don't get me wrong. I would love to see him back and succeed if only to up his value so that we can get a decent return in a trade. But I get the sense that he needs to work on his attitude. This will be the true coaching challenge.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

We did too.

A year older. A lot more determination. No reason to believe he wouldn’t succeed under this coaching staff.

Mesar has sat in the press box for two games now. Seriously, this will do nothing for his development. Zero. How long will Montreal keep him in this situation until he's moved back to Kitchener? Here's his chance for big minutes, more focus on a complete game, and proving he can be a top OHL player.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I just want the picks a trade would bring. After going through the "will he, won't he" last year, only for him to be imo pretty underwhelming most of the season, I don't think this team (or maybe just me) need the drama.

 

[Gondrex]

...........Missy looks great so far this year and Leenders has been stellar in net. This is a team who’s future is next year and the year after. But, maybe they’re interested in two years of Rehkopf in a deal where Ivankovic goes the other way. How long can they run with both those goalies? Do they think they can make some noise this year?..........

..........We know at the 24-25 deadline, we can get 2x2nds and 3x3rds for Rehkopf based on the going prices at last year’s deadline. In order for us to move him a year earlier, the return would have to be significant. That means it has to include someone’s 2023 1st rounder. Unless the offer includes that 1st rounder, I’m slamming the door shut on moving him in January. Period. End of story.

Regarding Rehkopf getting a chance to play on a contender, this may (arguably) make the most sense. The Mississauga line-up is loaded with 05's and 06's and yet are leading the entire league in the standings. As you said, this team seems to have a good short to medium term future.....and they're doing it with only (2) OA's......and they won again last night - beating Saginaw.

I agree. Potentially acquiring a Rehkopf (05) in this line-up makes a lot of sense.

 

[Gondrex]

I just want the picks a trade would bring. After going through the "will he, won't he" last year, only for him to be imo pretty underwhelming most of the season, I don't think this team (or maybe just me) need the drama.

Agreed.

On Reddit there was discussion on where Mesar should play. One poster suggested back to junior. Another poster responded by describing the Kitchener organization as a "dumpster fire". (Unfortunately some posters are very misinformed...and no, I don't typically read Reddit). The issue is not Kitchener.

 

[bobber]

Hypothetical but would it be a huge let down say if London as an example won the rights to host the next Mem Cup? Seems like the focus here has been punted away down the road. It would be amazing to host it here in KW. Been to a couple here and they are exciting. I think most STH would like to see Jussi and his staff right the ship here and make the Rangers into a legitimate brand again with a real identity. "Ranger Hockey" hasn't exactly instilled fear into the opposing teams coming into the Aud for a few seasons. Most opposing players always say they love playing in this barn. Seems like the powers want to change the narrative with the new staff. The last draft was the best one in years here IMO. Going forward there are a lot of possibilities that have to go right if the goal is hosting. Making impactful trades and drafting the right players. Fans do understand it's a rebuild year after last season's debacle. I hope MM sticks to the plan even if the Rangers are some what successful this year.

 

[EvenSteven]

I just want the picks a trade would bring. After going through the "will he, won't he" last year, only for him to be imo pretty underwhelming most of the season, I don't think this team (or maybe just me) need the drama.

He came to NA last year, after a successful year in the Slovak league the year before, expecting to be ready to play pro at 18, and didn’t think he needed to play here.

This year, finding himself in the press box in Laval should be sobering to him. Either he pouts and demands it’s either AHL or Europe, or he comes to the realization that there’s work to be done in continuing his development to become a pro player.

Perhaps we’re only assuming there’d be drama or ego if he’s sent here. Many a player who thought they were ready for pro put their nose to the grindstone and got down to business after a return to junior to have a successful junior season.

The Habs want him developed as a NA player and sent him here for that reason last year. I’m willing to expect that if he is sent here, he’ll be coming with the realization that it’s to continue his development. The Habs are likely monitoring the situation here in Kitchener this year under this new coaching staff. They likely can see it’s a completely different environment and shouldn’t have any cause to not send their prospect here.

If he winds up back in Europe, it could be because he’s butted heads with the Habs and there may be a disconnect.

 

[bobber]

Agreed.

On Reddit there was discussion on where Mesar should play. One poster suggested back to junior. Another poster responded by describing the Kitchener organization as a "dumpster fire". (Unfortunately some posters are very misinformed...and no, I don't typically read Reddit). The issue is not Kitchener. It appears to be an ego issue IMO.

Somebody pumped Mesar's ego when he was drafted. Not sure what he thought he was here in Kitchener. He showed flashes every once in a while but he sure as hell wasn't the "phenom" the Ranger TV guys made him out to be. He seemed like a great kid. Having Dennis here coaching never helped anyone's development. Also MM and the rest of the previous coaching staff weren't exactly geniuses in that area either. I think Jussi would force a perimeter player like Mesar to play up to his potential. Lam is smaller and isn't afraid to go to dangerous areas to make plays. Small players like Mesar struggle in pro where every player is bigger, faster and stronger. Anyhow Mesar's rights should be traded if he doesn't want to be here if that is possible.

 

[Jives]

Trade him before he gets to Kitchener if returned to OHL. Montreal will want an honest answer and Kitchener should want to trade him to gain some picks. Kitchener is off to a way better start than anyone would have thought….don’t disrupt what is happening by a kid that seemed to have an ego he was better then a league he 100% wasn’t better then. You gain needed picks and the team stays on track.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Agreed.

On Reddit there was discussion on where Mesar should play. One poster suggested back to junior. Another poster responded by describing the Kitchener organization as a "dumpster fire". (Unfortunately some posters are very misinformed...and no, I don't typically read Reddit). The issue is not Kitchener.

Unfortunately these are the consequences of hiring an incompetent coach and having zero development occur. Fans of the team know things have changed and it’s far from a dumpster fire anymore. But casual observers remember what it was and that is damaging to the organization’s reputation. They burned reputational capital and now have to build it back up.

 

[EvenSteven]

Regarding Rehkopf getting a chance to play on a contender, this may (arguably) make the most sense. The Mississauga line-up is loaded with 05's and 06's and yet are leading the entire league in the standings. As you said, this team seems to have a good short to medium term future.....and they're doing it with only (2) OA's......and they won again last night - beating Saginaw.

I agree. Potentially acquiring a Rehkopf (05) in this line-up makes a lot of sense.

You obviously have to take the best deal possible in a Rehkopf trade. And it shouldn’t matter divisional rivals or not.

For me, as good a trade it would be for Missy, I have a little apprehension with Ivankovic being the primary asset we get back in a Rehkopf trade.

Over the last 20 years or so, there haven’t been many goalies taken in the 1st round of the OHL draft. Of those goalies, some have been very good. Some just ok. And some bust. I think I got them all in this century.

Ben Goodreau
Liam Herbst
Spencer Martin
Tyson Teichmann
Kevin Baille
Micheal Zador
Dan LaCosta

There’s an amount of risk in dealing for any 16 year old no matter his position. But if we dealt for a forward or D, and he didn’t turn out to be top shelf, we’d still find a spot for him in our lineup if he wasn’t an absolute bust, and held some value.
Reid Valade for example, wasn’t a top shelf 1st rounder. But he was a very useful secondary player in his last two seasons here.

But if we do a Rehkopf to Missy deal and Ivankovic turns out to be just ok or worse by years three and four of his time in this league, we’ll be looking for a better option in net and where will that leave our return in this deal? You can’t find a place further down the lineup for him like you can a skater with a new starter brought in.

Our big deadline sell off in 2009 had us bringing in Brandon Maxwell as the primary. I suppose he was ok as a starter but that’s about it really. More than one scout I talked to said we went to Morrison way too late in that 2011 1st round upset vs Plymouth.

Over the last 20 years in this league, the Memorial Cup host team either had the goalie with top flight numbers as the starter, or traded for the best possible goalie. London traded for Adam Dennis for a reason. We traded for Steve Mason for a reason.

I’d be much more comfortable making a deal with a team where the primary returning player is a forward or D. Give me, in order, deals with Sudbury (F-Taylor), Guelph (D-Beachesne), Saginaw (F-Young), or London (D-Brzustewicz), ahead of a Missy deal. That’s if there are deals to be made with those teams for Rehkopf.

And yes I mentioned London. Don’t think they won’t deal Henry B. This is a staff that traded family for the greater good. No reason to believe he’s off the table in trade talks.

 

[rangersblues]

Unfortunately these are the consequences of hiring an incompetent coach and having zero development occur. Fans of the team know things have changed and it’s far from a dumpster fire anymore. But casual observers remember what it was and that is damaging to the organization’s reputation. They burned reputational capital and now have to build it back up.

It's more than Dennis last season too. All you have to do is look at the number (or lack ) of players the Rangers have sent to the NHL in the past decade. Dennis was just the culmination of a lot of failure to develop players.

If Mesar is returned there's going to be a lot of moving parts. Will he be traded? If traded what teams would he and the Habs find acceptable? If he isn't traded what are the Rangers plans for trading other top players? I'm sure the Habs want him surrounded with some top talent.

 

[EvenSteven]

It's more than Dennis last season too. All you have to do is look at the number (or lack ) of players the Rangers have sent to the NHL in the past decade. Dennis was just the culmination of a lot of failure to develop players.

If Mesar is returned there's going to be a lot of moving parts. Will he be traded? If traded what teams would he and the Habs find acceptable? If he isn't traded what are the Rangers plans for trading other top players? I'm sure the Habs want him surrounded with some top talent.

Missy might be a very good destination for Mesar. They only have one import on their roster. They are at the top of the east standings and should be looking to contend this year even though they have a young team. An ad like Mesar wouldn’t be as expensive as a top shelf veteran non import forward meaning they would still have picks in the cupboard after this year.

And, that’s the team the Habs drafted Owen Beck from. They should be happy with what goes on in Mississauga regarding the development of players.

 

[Tim Wallach]

I found it interesting Rob Ramage was in Kitchener for last week’s game. I know Guindon was playing for Owen Sound, but the in-person visit here suggests the Habs are doing due diligence on the current situation in Kitchener.

 

[blkhawk]

Who are these guys

 

[EvenSteven]

Who are these guys

Hats off to the guys.

By the way, has Miseljevic emerged as the latest Yantsis / Xhekaj FA find?

The kid is damn good and it’s not like he’s benefitting solely because of his line mates. The kid is pretty damn good.

 

[Jives]

19-2 combined scores this weekend. What a crazy start to the season. Love how Hunter, Sop and Carson are brining up their trade value. Does Miseljevic force his way off this team with his play this year?

 

[Habsrule]

19-2 combined scores this weekend. What a crazy start to the season. Love how Hunter, Sop and Carson are brining up their trade value. Does Miseljevic force his way off this team with his play this year?

With 7 goals and 7 assists in 7 games played he has definitely gained a lot of trade value.

I can’t really guess at his value because he lacks draft pedigree (OHL and NHL), he also has no track record of productive previous seasons. His points totals will have to do all of the talking for him. If he gets traded I would assume that it would be at or near the trade deadline.

His positive side is that he would be back as an overage next year so it is not like a one and done this season.

 

[rangersblues]

For years and years many of us complained about the Rangers coaching and begged the organization to clean house and bring in outside voices. Finally.

It's only been 7 games but I honestly can't recall the last time the Rangers as a team have consistently found so much open ice and gotten the puck to those players. And the finish that players have exhibited. Just outstanding.

Like I said it's only been 7 games. It's a young team and there's definitely bumps in the road coming. But finally I think we can see light at the end of the tunnel. And it's not a freight train speeding towards us.

 

[GeoBlue]

For years and years many of us complained about the Rangers coaching and begged the organization to clean house and bring in outside voices. Finally.

It's only been 7 games but I honestly can't recall the last time the Rangers as a team have consistently found so much open ice and gotten the puck to those players. And the finish that players have exhibited. Just outstanding.

Like I said it's only been 7 games. It's a young team and there's definitely bumps in the road coming. But finally I think we can see light at the end of the tunnel. And it's not a freight train speeding towards us.

It's early but who would have expected this...........

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Missy might be a very good destination for Mesar. They only have one import on their roster. They are at the top of the east standings and should be looking to contend this year even though they have a young team. An ad like Mesar wouldn’t be as expensive as a top shelf veteran non import forward meaning they would still have picks in the cupboard after this year.

And, that’s the team the Habs drafted Owen Beck from. They should be happy with what goes on in Mississauga regarding the development of players.

The guy who is noted for development with Missy is now an Assistant Coach with the Rangers. So having Jeff Kyrzakos here might factor into Montreal's decision.