Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Habsrule]

I know that the team is in first place in the conference and second in the league but it should still be a selling season.

Brzustewicz is the only real player that needs to be sold off too. He is in his last year and the Rangers have to maximize his return. He has drove his value up a lot so far this season.

I am not knocking Kitchener at all but I think that eventually they will hit a big rut. They have scored 50 goals through 9 games. Averaging 5.55 goals per game is not sustainable. Yes they have been playing good defence but the last two games they have shown some flaws in the third periods with being outplayed both times.

If they go full blown rebuild then they have a lot of assets to trade off to set them up for a potential 2027 Memorial Cup run.

Brzustewicz - we all know he is going to be dealt

Martin - overagers don’t typically have great value but he plays a game this is very sought after come playoff time. He would be an upgrade to just about all teams overage position

Sop - as long as he is near the top of the league leaderboard for points he will draw good attention

Motew - I can’t see him having huge value but he could be an upgrade to a contender

Parsons / Malboeuf - both are 19 year olds and only one is needed if they get a playable goalie back in a trade. I can’t see huge value here but it would be insurance for another team. Teams could view either goalie as a positive thing because they could both be back as overagers next year

Swick - he is 19 years old and a strong overage candidate for next year. Players as big as him rarely ever have his skating and skills. They are usually big oofs out there. A team could view him as a player you would get a year and a half out of and would be very interested in him

Miseljevic - pretty much the same as Swick. 19 year ago who you could get a year and a half out of. His biggest detractor is that he has no pedigree. Wasn’t drafted into the OHL, didn’t do much of anything in the OHL until his 19 year old season and then he exploded to break out. Teams could view it as more of a hot streak to start

Pugliese - another 19 year old that could provide depth on teams bottom six

Mesar - if he gets sent back to Kitchener he would have to set the league on fire to drive his draft value up. Imports don’t tend to carry huge value though

Rehkopf - he is the jewel of the bunch. He legit looks like a potential 50 goal scorer this season. Plus he has another year left until he turns pro. Teams could sell off the farm if he was available



If Kitchener was to move a bunch of the players on that list then they will need to take some back in return. I suspect that with this start Ahokas is starting to draw some attention from NHL teams. I’m not saying that he is going to jump straight into the NHL as a coach but teams may be interested in signing him on as an AHL assistant coach. That way they have him in their system and they can look to promote him

 

[OhSheilaa]

Yeah yeah yeah, trades will eventually come BUT wow, just wow this team is playing great hockey. The Attack are going too contend this year and they showed their compete level coming back soon after Rangers goals to keep the game close. Give the Rangers full credit for playing a very good game against a very good team and winning it.

In the first few games, discipline was an issue. As Ahokas said "stupid penalties" were happening too often. Since the Saginaw blowout, discipline has been evident and they're not having to kill many penalties.

The Rehkopf shot for his goal was an absolute rocket. The pass Pugliese gave to Mercer for that goal was incredible. Sop had a great game, especially in the 3rd. Brzustewicz is getting better and better each game. Andonovski and Motew are consistently solid. The whole defence has improved with the new coaching staff.

I know the plan still needs to be followed and the trades will come. I just want to focus on the now and enjoy the fun, exciting hockey the Rangers are playing. The good news is that when those trades come, because of the way this team and individual players on this team are playing, trade values are going up.

The present looks good. The future is even brighter.

 

[EvenSteven]

First place teams don't sell but yes lots of hockey to be played yet.

Yup. And 8th place teams don’t buy.

Just sayin.

 

[bobber]

Rangers beat a solid team in the Attack last night. Some over confidence lead to a couple of Attack goals. The Ranger goalie made some timely saves to secure the win. The Rangers were far too soft on pucks in their end the 3rd. Particularly behind the net in battles along the boards. Reaching with their sticks and not using their strength to recover pucks. Luckily they have enough scoring to recover from mistakes they made to hold the lead. I think fans should just enjoy these games. Eventually as the season wears on opposing teams will find ways to stymie the Rangers system somewhat and make the games more difficult to win. On the trade front when and if it happens the Rangers would get younger. They have about five rookies playing at the moment and one in the wings. Wonder if MM sees a need to bring in some veteran muscle down the road? Lam and Romano were targeted last night. There will be no mercy from teams looking to position themselves in a spot in the Mem Cup later in the season.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

This is how I thought the Rangers would start last season.

 

[ohloutsider]

Yup. And 8th place teams don’t buy.

Just sayin.

Well it got you to the second round.

 

[Ward Cornell]

This is how I thought the Rangers would start last season.

View attachment 755598

As fans tend to do, I was talking with another fan and we both said "Imagine last yrs team with this yrs coaching staff"? Oh well, onwards and upwards

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

Filip Mesar officially loaned back to Kitchener!

https://x.com/canadiensmtl/status/1715729820640756109?s=46&t=79qUexRpVItclDZ8n6veiw

Excited to see what he can do under this new coaching staff.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I know the temptation will be to try and contend, but with Mesar coming back we are in the perfect position to sell and still likely have a competitive first round playoff series. You trade Mesar (who we've done well without) and Brz and you still have a strong team around the young players. Then you have Rehkopf to trade next year or in the off season after increasing his value over last season (provided he maintaints even 70% of this pace). Staggering your prospect and pick returns over 2 years.

 

[Krangers08]

When I saw the Mesar news I got worried, hopefully they don’t overthink it and continue the plan of building for the future

 

[MediaCritic]

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.

The Rangers don't employ Josh Brown, The Record does. And reporters don't write their own headlines.

 

[RangerNation]

Without wasting my afternoon looking at the draft picks, what do the Rangers realistically need over the next few years to be happy? MM is in the absolute best position possible. The value of his players continues to rise, the coaching is solid, and now a 1st round asset is back in the lineup. Surely the Rangers themed chess board is all MM is looking at right now.

 

[Chadstudsky]

Where does Mesar slot in the lineup in the short term?

 

[bobber]

The Rangers don't employ Josh Brown, The Record does. And reporters don't write their own headlines.

Everyone knows the Rangers do not employ Brown. You really don't have to tell us. Brown and other media folk surely get some perks by being associated with the team. Farwell loves his lunches in the Media Rooms. Just asked the little guy. I am also sure if a "sports reporter" writes too many negative articles he will either be ignored or replaced at the behest of the Rangers powers that be in charge of such things. Last we heard Jeff Hicks he was a garden reporter. As a Media Critic I am sure you know this. Correct? PS , Notice Bill Doucet wrote the article in the Record for last nights game. Maybe Brownie is on vaca?

 

[EvenSteven]

I know the temptation will be to try and contend, but with Mesar coming back we are in the perfect position to sell and still likely have a competitive first round playoff series. You trade Mesar (who we've done well without) and Brz and you still have a strong team around the young players. Then you have Rehkopf to trade next year or in the off season after increasing his value over last season (provided he maintaints even 70% of this pace). Staggering your prospect and pick returns over 2 years.

I don’t think there will be a temptation to contend. But I do think there could be a temptation to keep Rehkopf for this season.

For me, to maximize return, both he and Hunter B need to be moved this year.

 

[RangerNation]

I don’t think there will be a temptation to contend. But I do think there could be a temptation to keep Rehkopf for this season.

For me, to maximize return, both he and Hunter B need to be moved this year.

If this is the case, I'd like to see players come back too. Jussi has proven he can get the best out of players and maybe, just maybe, this team can still go far with 2 pieces moved.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I don’t think there will be a temptation to contend. But I do think there could be a temptation to keep Rehkopf for this season.

For me, to maximize return, both he and Hunter B need to be moved this year.

I think you will get more overall by trading Hunter and Mesar and an OA this year, and then Rehk next year. I think you potentially get a teams 1st from the past draft for some combo of those three this year, and likely someones 1st from the upcomming draft in a trade for Rehk mid next season.

Until I see an very hot market with many buyers this season, I'm not putting all those eggs in 1 basket. Staggering is better for longevity.

 

[Habsrule]

I will keep the lineup very simple and slot Mesar into Lam’s spot.

Swick - Rehkopf - Miseljevic
Martin - Sop - Mesar
Pugliese - Romano - Lam
Ellinas - Mercer - Stark - Morey - Bottineau

Fourth line is a mix and match of who is playing the best.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I think you will get more overall by trading Hunter and Mesar and an OA this year, and then Rehk next year. I think you potentially get a teams 1st from the past draft for some combo of those three this year, and likely someones 1st from the upcomming draft in a trade for Rehk mid next season.

Until I see an very hot market with many buyers this season, I'm not putting all those eggs in 1 basket. Staggering is better for longevity.

Or make a prearranged deal for a teams selected first round pick for the 24 draft? I know of the rules but there are "workarounds".

I read somewhere that on the post-game show ( not sure who on the Rangers part who said this... MM?) That if Mesar comes back he'll get traded. Did anyone hear this?

I will keep the lineup very simple and slot Mesar into Lam’s spot.

Swick - Rehkopf - Miseljevic
Martin - Sop - Mesar
Pugliese - Romano - Lam
Ellinas - Mercer - Stark - Morey - Bottineau

Fourth line is a mix and match of who is playing the best.

I've been liking what I've been seeing in Bottineau. He needs icetime to develope and perhaps trade a player like Mercer?

 

[Habsrule]

Looking at the Rangers upcoming draft picks it is pretty bare heading into a 2027 Memorial Cup bid.

2024 - KIT 1st, ER 2nd, SBY 3rd, KIT 4th
2025 - KIT 1st, OTT 4th
2026 - KIT 1st, SBY 2nd, SBY 4th
2027 - KIT 1st, KIT 2nd, KIT 4th

They would really need to hit with their first round picks because their isn’t a whole lot of seconds and thirds there to rely on.

 

[Habsrule]

Or make a prearranged deal for a teams selected first round pick for the 24 draft? I know of the rules but there are "workarounds".

I read somewhere that on the post-game show ( not sure who on the Rangers part who said this... MM?) That if Mesar comes back he'll get traded. Did anyone hear this?


I've been liking what I've been seeing in Bottineau. He needs icetime to develope and perhaps trade a player like Mercer?

I wouldn’t trade anyone yet like Mercer.

Martin and Sop could be traded as overagers. Swick, Miseljevic and Pugliese are all 19 year olds and could be traded to contenders who are looking for a year and a half of a player. Mesar could be an import upgrade to a contender. Rehkopf could be dealt for a lot of futures.

If and once players start to get traded off then you need players to play still. Plus having two healthy scratches gives room for injuries and also creates internal competition.

 

[EvenSteven]

Looking at the Rangers upcoming draft picks it is pretty bare heading into a 2027 Memorial Cup bid.

2024 - KIT 1st, ER 2nd, SBY 3rd, KIT 4th
2025 - KIT 1st, OTT 4th
2026 - KIT 1st, SBY 2nd, SBY 4th
2027 - KIT 1st, KIT 2nd, KIT 4th

They would really need to hit with their first round picks because their isn’t a whole lot of seconds and thirds there to rely on.

Which is why it’s important to deal our top end guys for players + 2nds and 3rds spread over the next two drafts primarily.

 

[Krangers08]

Looking at the Rangers upcoming draft picks it is pretty bare heading into a 2027 Memorial Cup bid.

2024 - KIT 1st, ER 2nd, SBY 3rd, KIT 4th
2025 - KIT 1st, OTT 4th
2026 - KIT 1st, SBY 2nd, SBY 4th
2027 - KIT 1st, KIT 2nd, KIT 4th

They would really need to hit with their first round picks because their isn’t a whole lot of seconds and thirds there to rely on.

All the Sudbury picks are conditional (Hage trade). Cannot be used or traded

 

[EvenSteven]

All the Sudbury picks are conditional (Hage trade). Cannot be used or traded

And no doubt they’ll all go back to Sudbury.

 

[Squirrel88]

I think you will get more overall by trading Hunter and Mesar and an OA this year, and then Rehk next year. I think you potentially get a teams 1st from the past draft for some combo of those three this year, and likely someones 1st from the upcomming draft in a trade for Rehk mid next season.

Until I see an very hot market with many buyers this season, I'm not putting all those eggs in 1 basket. Staggering is better for longevity.

I agree with this. Only thing I would add is possibly trading Misal. If you can get something like the return on the Savard trade between the SOO and BAR last year (or, better yet, something closer to the Dann return), then him and Bruz basically re-fill the pick cupboard. Anything else is targeting the future.

I wonder to what extent GMMM was planning for this possibility in the off-season. No way was KIT going to run the entire year with 13 forwards and he had a look at a few players that looked the part. It felt like they were hoarding A cards in the pre-season.

I agree on Ellinas - he has somehow looked better in the regular season than the pre-season. The coaches seem to trust him as well, as he is often out late to defend a lead with more experienced players.

BTW - add 'Mesar returning' to the increasingly long list of 'things I got wrong about this season'.