Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Krangers08]

This also makes me nervous.. he clearly is a hell of a coach but hopefully after he is gone it lays the ground work the right type or culture

Kyrzakos feels like he next in line. There’s a reason he left Mississauga after Richmond got 7 years

 

[robertmac43]

Another night of fun hockey from the Rangers. I know it's the logical move to sell, but it's going to suck to see this group split up. They look like a team on a mission. Everyone is involved and playing through each other.

Miles different than what we saw last year.

 

[RangerNation]

lol

 

[rve24]

Another night of fun hockey from the Rangers. I know it's the logical move to sell, but it's going to suck to see this group split up. They look like a team on a mission. Everyone is involved and playing through each other.

Miles different than what we saw last year.

Well, they do have a couple months to decide. Could get interesting. I know the majority here is soft/big sell regardless...... enjoy the culture shift!

 

[GeoBlue]

Didn't think that was our best & the injuries are adding up, but full marks to ur squad. Crazy what good coaching can do. Got about 20% of the talent u did last yr & this team would skate circles around them.

Lam looks like Voit Jr out there. Gonna be a steal. GL rest of the way!

What injuries?

 

[StingUpdates]

What injuries?

Our projected 1C, Wainwright hasn't played yet, projected 3C Hall got hurt last pre season game, Moses who's been a really solid middle 6 winger got hurt in Erie, Hurt who's been a T4 Dman for us also hurt in Erie then Brown got hurt in the 2nd period tonight. Hoover also was gonna be a big part of the backend but he unfortunately hasn't been cleared yet.

But KIT deserved the W. Doubt all those guys playing results in a different outcome win/loss wise we just don't have the depth to handle so many guys being out & keep it respectable lol.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Just going to fear monger for a moment.


I fear that at this point we really need to appreciate how good of a job Juicy has done since being hired as Head Coach because I feel his time in the OHL is going to be short.

His age, his resume, his game plan all will be coveted very fast and very soon!

Jussi was contracted for 2 years with an option for 2. I think he will be here for a bit yet. At the two year mark, who knows? I guess it will depend upon the deal but at the same time, the lure of winning the Memorial Cup might just keep him here to see it through.

But yes, for right now, what a turnaround this season. Mesar HAS to be excited about playing on this team. It will hopefully light a fire under him!

 

[Habsrule]

Well my thought process has gone out the window about where Mesar should play in the lineup.

I was thinking to have Mesar replace Lam next to Sop and Martin. Mesar would be an upgrade and it is replacing one smaller offensive winger with better smaller offensive winger.

Now my thinking is to have Mesar center the third line with Romano and whoever else.

 

[EvenSteven]

Mesar has to play top six. I’d slot him in Lam’s spot for now and if Miseljevic cools off, put him on the top line.

You can’t put Mesar on the third line.

 

[Gondrex]

Mesar has to play top six. I’d slot him in Lam’s spot for now and if Miseljevic cools off, put him on the top line.

You can’t put Mesar on the third line.

Agreed. IMO, his hands and creativity improves the potential of the 3rd line (can't believe I'm saying that about an '07) and adds overall depth to this team's top 3 lines.

 

[Jives]

I’d personal trade Mesar right away. Lam has done nothing at all to be bumped. If you watched Swick interview yesterday clearing this team has dressing room issues last year. Was Mesar part of that issue? Unknown. But this team has been rolling and Lam on 2nd line is only going to help when he turns 18/19. If someone is throwing out a 2nd plus then get it done asap. I was on board for bumping Lam a few days ago but he just keeps getting better. Trade Mesar, bring back some picks and a weaker import that will fill a spot when we trade Sop, Martin, Bruz and whoever else.

 

[EvenSteven]

I’d personal trade Mesar right away. Lam has done nothing at all to be bumped. If you watched Swick interview yesterday clearing this team has dressing room issues last year. Was Mesar part of that issue? Unknown. But this team has been rolling and Lam on 2nd line is only going to help when he turns 18/19. If someone is throwing out a 2nd plus then get it done asap. I was on board for bumping Lam a few days ago but he just keeps getting better. Trade Mesar, bring back some picks and a weaker import that will fill a spot when we trade Sop, Martin, Bruz and whoever else.

Lam is 16. He has a ton of time and will get every opportunity to play top six this year. Especially once the trade deadline passes.

But for the greater good, Mesar must be put into a situation to show his value in trade. Today, based on last year, the value isn’t big. Your “2nd plus”. But giving him a couple months to excel to the point where his value doubles or more makes good sense.

He could be worth 2x2nds plus, or even better, in January. That won’t happen centering the third line.

Oh, and by the way, how would the Habs, or any other NHL team feel about burying a top prospect on the 3rd line?

Maybe in the future, they don’t encourage their prospects to report here?

No doubt there has been discussion between the Rangers and the Habs regarding Mesar and his use here. I doubt it’s on the third line.

 

[bobber]

Adding to Jive's post . One thing to note was Swick's comment about this years squad. He says they are really close and friends with each other or something along this line as compared to last year's squad that weren't. Years ago I had a conversation with Mike Moher about the difference between the team he was on that won the Mem Cup and team that lost it at home. He said the team he was on liked each other. The team that lost to Ottawa I believe were in cliques and never stuck together. Swick did kind of say this about last years squad. It was really a dogs breakfast last year. I think absolutely poor coaching decisions , all the losses and new players coming into the mix created an unfavorable atmosphere in the dressing room by the sounds of the conversation. Winning games and being able to compete makes a massive difference in attitude. Last night the Rangers really capitalized on their chances and played well defensively. Hard to tell at times but Coach Jussi seemed happy.

 

[Habsrule]

How do you guys feel about switching Swick with Mesar? Bump Swick down to the third line.

It makes the Rehkopf - Miseljevic combo a lot smaller with Mesar there but it increases the offensive potential.

 

[HockeyPops]

Is Blair Scott still with the team? It doesn't look like he's played much. Just wondering as he was originally drafted by the Soo.

 

[bobber]

Lam is 16. He has a ton of time and will get every opportunity to play top six this year. Especially once the trade deadline passes.

But for the greater good, Mesar must be put into a situation to show his value in trade. Today, based on last year, the value isn’t big. Your “2nd plus”. But giving him a couple months to excel to the point where his value doubles or more makes good sense.

He could be worth 2x2nds plus, or even better, in January. That won’t happen centering the third line.

Oh, and by the way, how would the Habs, or any other NHL team feel about burying a top prospect on the 3rd line?

Maybe in the future, they don’t encourage their prospects to report here?

No doubt there has been discussion between the Rangers and the Habs regarding Mesar and his use here. I doubt it’s on the third line.

Also would they be happy if the Rangers traded him right away after loaning him to the team? Wonder what the conversation was regarding this issue. Only MM and his staff knows I guess. I believe Mesar hinted there were issues last year here in one conversation?

How do you guys feel about switching Swick with Mesar? Bump Swick down to the third line.

It makes the Rehkopf - Miseljevic combo a lot smaller with Mesar there but it increases the offensive potential.

Coach seemed to like having Swick a big body playing right where he is in his post game interview.

 

[Jives]

Is Blair Scott still with the team? It doesn't look like he's played much. Just wondering as he was originally drafted by the Soo.

I believe he is. Plays in Ayr JR. B I think. Call up player or once we start trading some of our vet D spots will open up. Runco and Scott are 2 that come to mind that will get a chance maybe if we don’t get D back in trades.

 

[EvenSteven]

Also would they be happy if the Rangers traded him right away after loaning him to the team? Wonder what the conversation was regarding this issue. Only MM and his staff knows I guess. I believe Mesar hinted there were issues last year here in one conversation?


Coach seemed to like having Swick a big body playing right where he is in his post game interview.

Swick is a LW. Mesar a RW.

 

[bobber]

Swick is a LW. Mesar a RW.

Just mentioning the coaches comment about Swick.

 

[Billyjack]

I believe he is. Plays in Ayr JR. B I think. Call up player or once we start trading some of our vet D spots will open up. Runco and Scott are 2 that come to mind that will get a chance maybe if we don’t get D back in trades.

I talked to Blair in Mississauga, wasn't in lineup though

 

[Gondrex]

I'm assuming Saginaw has plenty more assets still available (?), but for what it's worth, they did spend some on getting Hay from Flint....

 

[Jives]

I'm assuming Saginaw has plenty more assets still available (?), but for what it's worth, they did spend some on getting Hay from Flint....

View attachment 757717

Jeez….that seems like an overpay for Hayes.

 

[HockeyPops]

They didn't get Hayes they got Hay

 

[TheBlueMonster]

Jeez….that seems like an overpay for Hayes.

On the front it does.

But this is an 05 player. Drafted. Has some goal scoring ability. They will get him for the rest of this season and next. Overage potential is there as well.

He'll score 20+ for them.

My thing is, I thought they'd use their assets to get the big fishes.

 

[Krangers08]

Ellinas and Campbell are on the NHL central scouting watch list. Ellinas is ranked 4-5 round while Campbell is 6-7.
I think will see Mesar and Rehkopf alternate centre similar to when he first got here playing with pinelli.