Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Billyjack]

Attack fan, coming in peace.

Just curious why some are talking about trading players at this early stage, with the Rangers off to a great start.

I'd be excited about the season ahead .

even if Rangers are still high in standings at deadline they will still have to trade to refill cupboard. This is a very young team so bringing back a couple good young players to fit in with this group and a few 2nd round pics would be awesome. Could be a very good team next year and the year after that if MM does trade the assets.

 

[sbpointer]

even if Rangers are still high in standings at deadline they will still have to trade to refill cupboard. This is a very young team so bringing back a couple good young players to fit in with this group and a few 2nd round pics would be awesome. Could be a very good team next year and the year after that if MM does trade the assets.

This is the way.. Although with the teams success if it continues MM will have to navigate carefully to not discourage the quality pieces that are staying. It will be interesting to see if there is a prefrence toward good young players more so then picks.

 

[EvenSteven]

Rehkopf and Brzustewicz are playing very well. No doubt contenders are taking note. My concern is the (I'm only assuming) limited destinations for Brzustewicz and what that would mean from a return stand-point. No doubt, this guy would otherwise hold huge value under normal circumstances IMO.....and perhaps still will.

I suppose on another front, Peterborough is currently experiencing similar success at this early stage.....and they have attractive assets too. I know it's hard to gauge supply and demand after only 7 or 8 games but at least these two have been showing well so far.

Martin is grabbing points too, but any team having a Martin is more than him just putting up points.

Yeah that’s in the back of my mind regarding Brzustewicz and maybe calling his shot to Saginaw. Could be another Bracco situation. But the reason the Bracco return was so “bad” (3x2nds, 6, 7, and 8 years out + two journeymen skaters) compared to other deals for comparable players at the time, was because Windsor’s cupboard was nearly empty of more desirable assets. But, that deal turned out good for us in the end. (Logan Stanley).

If we find ourselves in that boat again this year, we’ll just have to make sure it works for us the way the Bracco deal did in the end. Likely some sort of two part deal. Perhaps where the rights to William Horcoff or Charlie Trethewey comes our way next summer if MM “thinks” he can get either to report a la Hunter Brzustewicz.

William Horcoff - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of William Horcoff, 2007-01-23 Birmingham, MI, USA USA. Most recently in the USHL with USNTDP Juniors. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Charlie Trethewey - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Charlie Trethewey, 2007-08-02 Ellicott City, MD, USA USA. Most recently in the USHL with USNTDP Juniors. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Failing that, maybe Jacob Cloutier is the second shoe to drop in a two parter.

Jacob Cloutier - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Jacob Cloutier, 2007-03-22 Gloucester, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the OHL with Saginaw Spirit. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

 

[Jives]

I’d be happy with any one of those 3 plus a bunch of picks.

 

[Krangers08]

Yeah that’s in the back of my mind regarding Brzustewicz and maybe calling his shot to Saginaw. Could be another Bracco situation. But the reason the Bracco return was so “bad” (3x2nds, 6, 7, and 8 years out + two journeymen skaters) compared to other deals for comparable players at the time, was because Windsor’s cupboard was nearly empty of more desirable assets. But, that deal turned out good for us in the end. (Logan Stanley).

If we find ourselves in that boat again this year, we’ll just have to make sure it works for us the way the Bracco deal did in the end. Likely some sort of two part deal. Perhaps where the rights to William Horcoff or Charlie Trethewey comes our way next summer if MM “thinks” he can get either to report a la Hunter Brzustewicz.

William Horcoff - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of William Horcoff, 2007-01-23 Birmingham, MI, USA USA. Most recently in the USHL with USNTDP Juniors. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Charlie Trethewey - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Charlie Trethewey, 2007-08-02 Ellicott City, MD, USA USA. Most recently in the USHL with USNTDP Juniors. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Failing that, maybe Jacob Cloutier is the second shoe to drop in a two parter.

Jacob Cloutier - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Jacob Cloutier, 2007-03-22 Gloucester, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the OHL with Saginaw Spirit. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Realistically how many teams do you think Brzustewicz would be willing to go to.

London, Saginaw, are the obvious front runners and might be the only choice

 

[GeoBlue]

Unless 18 is retired/honored for Walt Tkaczuk . IMHO he was Mike Richard's 30+ yrs before Richard's showed up here.
Some other players to consider, Sandy Fitzpatrick #7, Jeff Larmer #19 and Don Edward's ( forget number but suspect #1)

Ah yes! Back in the day when we pronounced it Tay'-chuck.

 

[bobber]

Realistically how many teams do you think Brzustewicz would be willing to go to.

London, Saginaw, are the obvious front runners and might be the only choice

Poor old Hunter is being put on the auction block and traded around the league and the season has only begun. Wonder if he has a say in all these trade deals being bandied about on this board. I think the focus should be on getting the rookies acclimated with the league for a while before the powers that be start trading all the vets ways. Would help immensely going forward in the confidence of the rookies.

 

[Krangers08]

With the game being in Niagara Tomorrow I see it going two ways.
Swick hometown legacy game
Or
Vandenberg revenge game and gets a shutout

 

[EvenSteven]

Poor old Hunter is being put on the auction block and traded around the league and the season has only begun. Wonder if he has a say in all these trade deals being bandied about on this board. I think the focus should be on getting the rookies acclimated with the league for a while before the powers that be start trading all the vets ways. Would help immensely going forward in the confidence of the rookies.

I agree. We’re rebuilding and a major part of the rebuild is the development of those young players. That being said, the acquisition of futures and how we do so is just as big a part of the rebuild.

Discussion of both is inevitable on these boards.

I doubt any trades involving major Ranger players will happen on this side of New Year’s.

By then, our young rookies will be acclimated to the league just fine.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I agree. We’re rebuilding and a major part of the rebuild is the development of those young players. That being said, the acquisition of futures and how we do so is just as big a part of the rebuild.

Discussion of both is inevitable on these boards.

I doubt any trades involving major Ranger players will happen on this side of New Year’s.

By then, our young rookies will be acclimated to the league just fine.

Plus, there doesn't seem a real "super team" this season so far. Team that up with it being a Memorial Cup host year, it should make it a "feeding frenzy" when it gets close to the trade deadline.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Even though Mesar has been relegated the 4th line of Laval and if he actually plays, Marc Olivier-Cook of danslescoullises.com notes:

It's just like any other NHL prospect. If the young player doesn't have the opportunity to play, it's difficult for him to progress and develop properly. We agree that it's not necessarily complicated to understand. If the Canadiens hope to see Filip Mesar dominate the NHL in a few years, they need to find a way to accommodate him so that the player is able to do so. It's not going to happen by playing on a fourth line in the American League, and it's not going to happen by being in the stands. The idea of sending him back to the junior would therefore be logical... Time is running out for the CH management.

From Nicolas Cloutier of TVA Sports, here's what the Laval coach had to say about Mesar:

Coach: "He's not playing right now, but I think for his development, having a couple more weeks in the pros can help." "One longer than normal."

Cloutier: "A couple more weeks with the professionals." Does that mean Mesar will soon be returned to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL?

Coach: "Maybe there's a decision coming," Houle said, evasively. I'm not sure what Canadiens think at the top. Our mandate here is to continue to work with him until we receive further instructions."

 

[bobber]

Even though Mesar has been relegated the 4th line of Laval and if he actually plays, Marc Olivier-Cook of danslescoullises.com notes:

It's just like any other NHL prospect. If the young player doesn't have the opportunity to play, it's difficult for him to progress and develop properly. We agree that it's not necessarily complicated to understand. If the Canadiens hope to see Filip Mesar dominate the NHL in a few years, they need to find a way to accommodate him so that the player is able to do so. It's not going to happen by playing on a fourth line in the American League, and it's not going to happen by being in the stands. The idea of sending him back to the junior would therefore be logical... Time is running out for the CH management.

From Nicolas Cloutier of TVA Sports, here's what the Laval coach had to say about Mesar:

Coach: "He's not playing right now, but I think for his development, having a couple more weeks in the pros can help." "One longer than normal."

Cloutier: "A couple more weeks with the professionals." Does that mean Mesar will soon be returned to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL?

Coach: "Maybe there's a decision coming," Houle said, evasively. I'm not sure what Canadiens think at the top. Our mandate here is to continue to work with him until we receive further instructions."

I'm sure the Habs will do what is correct for Mesar. He may be disappointed in the decision. I'm sure he realizes now how much work he has to put in to even play on the top line in Laval let alone the NHL. Pro hockey is all about speed and consistency. With a long schedule and all the travel not many young players can jump right in and make an impact. Mesar has a long way to go to rise up to this level and should be sent back to the OHL before he gets buried in some minor league. Even another year in junior might only buy him more time in Laval next year. As OHL fans we all have see players put up huge numbers in this league and fail miserably in pro. I hope things turn around for this kid if he gets sent back.

 

[Krangers08]

STL blues first rounder Dalibor Dvorsky has left his team in Sweden and is headed to North America. Sudbury own his rights but already have 2 solid imports, will be interesting to see the trade market for imports if he plans on coming to Sudbury.

Chromiak will likely be the one moved. 17 year old Draft eligible defender.

 

[Jives]

It’s too bad Chromiak isn’t 16. He would be a great addition to go with our 16 year old group. Problem with him as a 17 year old is that he would be an OA when we should be solid and going for it. He probably will be a played that isn’t an OA in the OHL anyways but not many teams use OA and import on sane player.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

It’s too bad Chromiak isn’t 16. He would be a great addition to go with our 16 year old group. Problem with him as a 17 year old is that he would be an OA when we should be solid and going for it. He probably will be a played that isn’t an OA in the OHL anyways but not many teams use OA and import on sane player.

Late birthday, draft year.

 

[Jives]

Late birthday, draft year.

So he is an 18 year old. Hard pass from the Rangers I’d imagine.

 

[EvenSteven]

If we traded for him, we’d have to drop one of the four imports we currently have protected.

 

[Ward Cornell]

If we traded for him, we’d have to drop one of the four imports we currently have protected.

I rather roll the dice on our drafted imports.

 

[Krangers08]

It’s too bad Chromiak isn’t 16. He would be a great addition to go with our 16 year old group. Problem with him as a 17 year old is that he would be an OA when we should be solid and going for it. He probably will be a played that isn’t an OA in the OHL anyways but not many teams use OA and import on sane player.

Yea doesn’t make much sense for the current roster. Wasn’t the strategy for drafting Pobezal at 16 where he either comes for his draft year or when they goes for it.
If all goes to plan and he would reports, they’d likely add a older skilled player for the one year

 

[Habsrule]

Trading with Sudbury for one of their imports doesn’t really do too much for Kitchener.

Vondros is their starting goalie so he is not being traded.

Chromiak had 19 points last year as a 17 year old and only has one assist through 7 games this season. He is just under six feet and 183 pounds. Now I can’t say I know a whole lot about him but it is not like he is this offensive player that would really help or it is not like he is some hulking defender that would really help Kitchener.

I’d much rather hold off and see what happens with Mesar first. Plus I don’t see Chromiak as being an upgrade over the Rangers top five defencemen (Brzustewicz, Motew, Andonovski, Hamara, Reid), I’d rather give Campbell the extended look before possibly bumping him to #7. He has been great so far for what is expected out of him.

 

[Section5Petes]

Congrats to Luca Romano on scoring his first OHL goal!

 

[Jives]

Jeez…4-0. 23-2 in last 7.5 periods.

 

[Krangers08]

Nice to see the kids get PP1 time with Lam and Romano alternating.
Stark looked good on the PK when he was healthy

 

[Jives]

I didn’t see anything about Stark injury. How long and what is it?

 

[LDN]

Realistically how many teams do you think Brzustewicz would be willing to go to.

London, Saginaw, are the obvious front runners and might be the only choice

You think London is interested in getting both brothers?

Rangers are going crazy and have gained a lot of respect league wide. Good rebuild. This team is solid