Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Krangers08]

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

Farwell said on his post game show he was working his way back from a lower body injury

 

[RangerNation]

What a terrible 3rd period. Could not match the hustle from Niagara. Positive here is being able to put up enough goals early on to win the game. Niagara is a good team this year.

 

[RangerNation]

I thing of beauty. A little redemption on Friday would be great to see.

 

[EvenSteven]

These guys are on fire! Period.

 

[Krangers08]

Weird question….
Did the Rangers give Josh brown the boot from covering the team ( similar to hicks in the mid 2000s). His last articles headline was “Rangers slaughtered in Saginaw”, which may have made the team unhappy. They’ve had a different guy report on the last 3 games.
Just seem odd he hasn’t tweeted or done a article surrounding the team since.

 

[Gondrex]

What a terrible 3rd period. Could not match the hustle from Niagara. Positive here is being able to put up enough goals early on to win the game. Niagara is a good team this year.

To me Niagara is proving that the franchise is turning the corner. It's good for both the team and the league if they can turn things around. I find the Niagara-bashing on the other boards tiring. I see positive things happening down there.

 

[Stellar29]

Weird question….
Did the Rangers give Josh brown the boot from covering the team ( similar to hicks in the mid 2000s). His last articles headline was “Rangers slaughtered in Saginaw”, which may have made the team unhappy. They’ve had a different guy report on the last 3 games.
Just seem odd he hasn’t tweeted or done a article surrounding the team since.

Don't know that it's related or not but the Owen Sound beat reporter has only been doing write ups for home games this season, which is new. The Owen Sound Times has been running the opposition's post game write up for road games. It's affiliated with Post Media I believe so probably related to cut backs.

 

[bobber]

Rangers pick up another 2 points in Niagara last night. You can see the difference the coach can make in the way a game is evolving. Once the Rangers got their legs going it looked like another blow out was on the way. Not. The Niagara coach called the team together and ripped them a new one. Different game after. Good thing the Rangers scored for early. Niagara made some incredible plays in the third that lead up to a couple of highlite reel goals. Rangers managed to respond answering back with goals of their own despite being on their heels. Niagara came at the Rangers and forced them to compete harder to win this game. Last season this team would have collapsed. I am sure Jussi wasn't a happy camper. He doesn't seem to give out gold stars to easily.

 

[StormWatcher]

Kitchener firing on all cylinders to start the season off. Doesn't look like they'll be sellers as most thought. Not a lot in the cupboard but if Mesar comes back that's a free upgrade.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Kitchener firing on all cylinders to start the season off. Doesn't look like they'll be sellers as most thought. Not a lot in the cupboard but if Mesar comes back that's a free upgrade.

Regardless of standings, I think they've determined they'll have to sell to rebuild the draft pick cupboard. They're building around the 07s. All this run does is increase the return, which is terrific.

 

[Krangers08]

Kitchener firing on all cylinders to start the season off. Doesn't look like they'll be sellers as most thought. Not a lot in the cupboard but if Mesar comes back that's a free upgrade.

They need to be. Saginaw did it last years

 

[Gondrex]

Kitchener firing on all cylinders to start the season off. Doesn't look like they'll be sellers as most thought. Not a lot in the cupboard but if Mesar comes back that's a free upgrade.

Not enough depth. Not enough in the cupboard.
Besides, even if they did decide to, they haven't even proven themselves yet against the big dogs (O.S., Guelph, London, Soo, etc.). Yes they managed to beat Saginaw in the 1st game, but got pasted good on the return trip.

Mind you we're definitely happy with the progress so far, and it is all nice and wonderful to see three Rangers currently at the top of the leader board (save a snap shot while we can ). But I agree with Tim W - this all about the 07's, and I would add that it is important they draft well next year as well. After all, there are other teams with some good 07's too.....the Soo comes to mind !

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Billyjack]

Not enough depth. Not enough in the cupboard.
Besides, even if they did decide to, they haven't even proven themselves yet against the big dogs (O.S., Guelph, London, Soo, etc.). Yes they managed to beat Saginaw in the 1st game, but got pasted good on the return trip.

Mind you we're definitely happy with the progress so far, and it is all nice and wonderful to see three Rangers currently at the top of the leader board (save a snap shot while we can ). But I agree with Tim W - this all about the 07's, and I would add that it is important they draft well next year as well. After all, there are other teams with some good 07's too.....the Soo comes to mind !

Just my 2 cents.

Maybe we'll have some of those good 07's when the dust settles plus some picks

 

[OhSheilaa]

Maybe we'll have some of those good 07's when the dust settles plus some picks

It's been a great start to the season. The coaching has definitely been upgraded. The defence has been strong in their own end, can move the puck and take part and contribute at the other end. Brzustewicz has got to be the steal of the NHL draft. Vancouver got a game changer in the 3rd round. I'm so happy for Andonovski who works so hard, stands up for the team and gives his all. He looks confident and he's contributing offensively too.

Last night in Niagara, the Ice Dogs showed what can happen if the boys take the foot off the pedal.

I agree that this early success shouldn't change the plans to sell.

Friday against the Attack should be a good one. Coaching change in OS so they'll come out flying. So will we. Gonna be a good one.

Josh Brown is probably just on vacation.

 

[GeoBlue]

Coaching change in OS so they'll come out flying.

Darren Rumble back to the Aud as a coach. Anyone remember him on the Ranger D?

 

[EvenSteven]

Darren Rumble back to the Aud as a coach. Anyone remember him on the Ranger D?

Wicked hip checker.

 

[rve24]

Wicked hip checker.

A lost art!

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

"Filip Mesar mentally ready to return to the OHL"

"When I was drafted, I told myself that I had to join the Canadian as quickly as possible, he confided. But right now, when I see the way things are going, I tell myself that I have to develop as much as possible and use these years to become the best player possible when I am 21 or 22 years old. I no longer think about finding a position as quickly as possible and I believe that my way of thinking is better than before."

Filip Mesar est prêt à retourner dans la Ligue de l’Ontario

Que ce soit à Laval ou à Kitchener, le Canadien veut d'abord et avant tout que Filip Mesar, un choix de première ronde en 2022, joue abondamment.

ici.radio-canada.ca

A great thorough article here from a former Athletic and La Presse writer about Mesar's current situation and the likelihood of him returning to Kitchener, including quotes directly from Mesar and Mike McKenzie.

 

[Krangers08]

"Filip Mesar mentally ready to return to the OHL"

"When I was drafted, I told myself that I had to join the Canadian as quickly as possible, he confided. But right now, when I see the way things are going, I tell myself that I have to develop as much as possible and use these years to become the best player possible when I am 21 or 22 years old. I no longer think about finding a position as quickly as possible and I believe that my way of thinking is better than before."

Filip Mesar est prêt à retourner dans la Ligue de l’Ontario

Que ce soit à Laval ou à Kitchener, le Canadien veut d'abord et avant tout que Filip Mesar, un choix de première ronde en 2022, joue abondamment.

ici.radio-canada.ca

A great thorough article here from a former Athletic and La Presse writer about Mesar's current situation and the likelihood of him returning to Kitchener, including quotes directly from Mesar and Mike McKenzie.

If he does come back. Would you pair him with Rehkopfs line or Sop and Martin. Misaljevic and Rehkopf seem to have great chemistry, and Lam more effective playing with experienced guys

 

[Krangers08]

If he does come back. Would you pair him with Rehkopfs line or Sop and Martin. Misaljevic and Rehkopf seem to have great chemistry, and Lam more effective playing with experienced guys

potential lines?
Swick-Rehkopf-Mesar
Martin-Sop-Lam
Mercer- Misaljevic- Romano
Ellinas- Stark - Pug

 

[Petes1987]

Darren Rumble back to the Aud as a coach. Anyone remember him on the Ranger D?

As a Petes fan I remember him playing against the Petes. He was one of the OHL’s better defencemen in the late 1980s along with the likes of Brian Hayton, Matthieu Schneider, Corey Foster, Brian Marchment, Adam Burt and Brian Collinson.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

potential lines?
Swick-Rehkopf-Mesar
Martin-Sop-Lam
Mercer- Misaljevic- Romano
Ellinas- Stark - Pug

This is around what I was picturing… give Misaljevic the opportunity to drive his own line to start (you can always pivot if needed).

Some people have noted Mesar has looked stronger at C as well so there’s another variation you can throw into a potential lineup.

My guess is MTL’s decision will come sooner rather than later with Laval having another pair of games this weekend. Writing will surely be on the wall after that.

Redemption time vs. OS tonight! Go Rangers!

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Missile has always been a winger, maybe you experiment but I don't really want to throw him off his groove playing great with who he's playing with. He stays in the top 6, Lam down to 3rd line for now. Once a forward is moved out, Lam slides back up. He's been really impressive especially for his size.

 

[bobber]

Reading the article on Mesar sounds like he realizes he needs to be playing more to develop his game. They mentioned how he gets mesmerized with the puck on his stick and forgets there are opposing players coming up from behind to check him. If Bedard who is essentially the top junior player in the world struggles in the NHL(no shots on goal last night) a point per game junior Mesar is a long way from pro. He needs to be sent back to Kitchener. It would make things interesting here for sure.

 

[EvenSteven]

Missile has always been a winger, maybe you experiment but I don't really want to throw him off his groove playing great with who he's playing with. He stays in the top 6, Lam down to 3rd line for now. Once a forward is moved out, Lam slides back up. He's been really impressive especially for his size.

I agree 100%. Beat me to it!