Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[dmead]

Where was this team last year? Your new coach has made an impression. A very entertaining style of play and the pieces to execute. This puts your management in a difficult position...

Go for it? or replenish cupboards? You have an elite forward corps but need to shore up the defense.

If Parsons plays like that every game, you do not have crease issues.

Anyways... Rangers were full marks for the win.

 

[EvenSteven]

Does any one team even have 6 2nds they could use for such a trade? Even if so, would be the entire draft cupboard gone on one player, can't see a return remotely close to this if Carson is traded

Me either really. A lot easier to include the 1st rounder.

Top of my list trade partners for Rehkopf and Brzustewicz is Sudbury and Guelph based on their cupboards and 1st rounders.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

Me either really. A lot easier to include the 1st rounder.

Hounds have some bodies they can use in Christopher Brown ( 2023 First Round Pick, 2006 born ) , Alex Kostov( 2006 ), Matthew Virgilio (2006), Tate Vader (2006, also believe he's from the area) that may be enticing for a Rangers team that would want to go for it next year or year after.

In terms of Martin for Carson, not sure it'd be a straight up deal, and I don't think Soo staff would actually consider it, haha.

 

[RB76]

Sudbury’s 07 draft was underwhelming IMO but they have some nice 2006 born players.

 

[EvenSteven]

Sudbury’s 07 draft was underwhelming IMO but they have some nice 2006 born players.

The better of those 06’s should be a big part of this year’s team I’d expect.

How has Taylor looked? Is he getting opportunity?

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Don't see any 1 team having enough to offer to make Rehk worth giving up for 1.5 years, while still having that team or another have enough to get a quality return for our graduating players. My assessment of maximizing the asset pool from which to choose from by selling Brz and the OAs (and Misal) this year, and Rehk next year hasn't changed much.

This coaching staff is getting enough out of these guys that I feel like we'll still make the playoff's and they'll have a shot at a competitive first round, maybe even win a round, while reloading our draft stock. Unless a team makes a good offer on Parsons, he gives us a good chance every night and even if he gets moved Malboeuf as looked solid.

 

[RangerNation]

I'm glad they are getting these road games in Owen Sound out of the way. Such a hard place to play. A win this time would be great.

Listened to the game on the road last night. Half was with Farwell until I hit Woodstock, then I switched to Stubbs. (Yes, I was London bound). They both missed quick goals (Martin and Sop) and their reactions were almost identical, what the heck just happened?! Fun experience to get both perspectives of the game.

 

[Voice from the North]

The better of those 06’s should be a big part of this year’s team I’d expect.

How has Taylor looked? Is he getting opportunity?

He has put up a few points but is getting fourth line minutes and has been a healthy scratch recently. He very clearly needs some time to adjust to this level

 

[EvenSteven]

He has put up a few points but is getting fourth line minutes and has been a healthy scratch recently. He very clearly needs some time to adjust to this level

Taylor has more points in less games than our Romano, who was taken a couple picks later. But Romano has been getting more opportunity on a younger team and we’re happy with what we’ve seen of him thus far. A 16 year old being scratched here and there on a veteran team isn’t out of the ordinary.

 

[Woody Dumart]

Not sure what Hunters game plan was last night other than to injure the Rangers top players with hits from behind. Knights have the talent to beat any team in the league on any given night without resorting to the cheap shots we saw in this game. Any how the Rangers have the talent to compete with any team in the league at the moment. They get a lot of decent looks every game and with a bit of luck it's in the back of the net. Reid and Romano are playing with some high caliber talent and this will only make them better players when they get back into the line up. Not sure what the game plan is going forward now with the success the team is having. I think it will temper the idea of a complete rebuild. Rangers haven't been this exciting for years. Having this great start and total team chemistry has to give MM and whoever a pause for thought about what to do going forward. It will be interesting to see the decisions made for sure.

As a Knights STH and having seen most games the past 25 years, Hunter likes to use grinders against opponents’ first line or top player. This sometimes results in tomfoolery and needless penalties. They tried it a few years ago against Suzuki and he just laughed.
It’s interesting reading these threads. I understand Kitchener’s situation but I wouldn’t sell them short. They have strong players at each position and there are no “super” teams in the West this year. That leaves the door wide open for them to have success. Just an outsider’s opinion.

 

[Tryblot]

You didn't notice the gums flapping from Knight's players ?

Relax. I said he had a good game and I enjoyed his game. No need to start crying here.

 

[Gondrex]

1 player I'd trade Brady Martin for is Carson, not going to lie. As a Soo fan there only 2 players I'd be comfortable moving him for Misa and Carson Rehkopf.

I'd like the idea of a Brady Martin in a Ranger's future.
Likely a extreme long shot, but in the mean time, as a Hounds fan, dream about this possibility......

As they used to say - "that's sick"

 

[robertmac43]

So where are people at after this weekend? Are we riding this out?

The team does not want to go away.

 

[EvenSteven]

I'd like the idea of a Brady Martin in a Ranger's future.
Likely a extreme long shot, but in the mean time, as a Hounds fan, dream about this possibility......

View attachment 763836
View attachment 763837
As they used to say - "that's sick"

Is Brady Martin, manchild, going to be in the league for four years?

 

[EvenSteven]

Hounds have some bodies they can use in Christopher Brown ( 2023 First Round Pick, 2006 born ) , Alex Kostov( 2006 ), Matthew Virgilio (2006), Tate Vader (2006, also believe he's from the area) that may be enticing for a Rangers team that would want to go for it next year or year after.

In terms of Martin for Carson, not sure it'd be a straight up deal, and I don't think Soo staff would actually consider it, haha.

IMO, and that’s just me, but ‘06 born player(s) as the primaries in a Rehkopf deal doesn’t do it for me when we are targeting the 26-27 season.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

I'd like the idea of a Brady Martin in a Ranger's future.
Likely a extreme long shot, but in the mean time, as a Hounds fan, dream about this possibility......

View attachment 763836
View attachment 763837
As they used to say - "that's sick"

I've been dreaming... lol

IMO, and that’s just me, but ‘06 born player(s) as the primaries in a Rehkopf deal doesn’t do it for me when we are targeting the 26-27 season.

That's fair! I don't know if SSM moves Martin, especially with hiring Ertel..just seems like it's a move that signals they'll be keeping him around for the long haul. Who knows, this season has been fun and I expect it to continue!

 

[rangersblues]

I'm glad they are getting these road games in Owen Sound out of the way. Such a hard place to play. A win this time would be great.

Listened to the game on the road last night. Half was with Farwell until I hit Woodstock, then I switched to Stubbs. (Yes, I was London bound). They both missed quick goals (Martin and Sop) and their reactions were almost identical, what the heck just happened?! Fun experience to get both perspectives of the game.

I actually enjoy listening to Stubbs.

 

[RB76]

Martin was the top rated forward IMO in this past year’s draft. Can’t see the SOO parting with him, but he would be the number one centre we would need to contend for years to come.

 

[EvenSteven]

Martin was the top rated forward IMO in this past year’s draft. Can’t see the SOO parting with him, but he would be the number one centre we would need to contend for years to come.

I don’t see Martin being available either. That’s why not one of the mock trades I have in my head for Rehkopf this year involves the Soo.

 

[Jives]

Martin would be such a good fit for this team. If Soo is serious about winning this year a trade could be done. It seemed we’ll know that Martin would of really liked to of been a Ranger.

 

[DeletedAccountt]

I don’t see Martin being available either. That’s why not one of the mock trades I have in my head for Rehkopf this year involves the Soo.

I don't see it either, I just posted my personal opinion that if it happened I wouldn't be mad. Most fans would I believe, understandably.

Are 2 part deals a thing still?... lol

 

[HockeyPops]

IMO, and that’s just me, but ‘06 born player(s) as the primaries in a Rehkopf deal doesn’t do it for me when we are targeting the 26-27 season.

If the deal isn't there for a 2007 born this season, it might make more sense to play the long game with Rehkopf and deal him next season. A lot more options should be available in the 2007 age group next season.

 

[frontsfan67]

The picks return for Tomasino was 6x2nds, 3rd, 2x4ths.

You know, in lieu of the 16 year old 1st, you aren’t all that far off.

The Owen Beck deal was Van Volson, DeZoete, 2x2nds, 3rd, 4th.

Van Volsen was the 6th overall pick in the OHL draft. Had he been a defected player, the return for him could have been in the Sam Dickinson / Will Cuylle / Ryan McLeod neighborhood (3x2nds. 3x3rds +).

Swap out Van Volsen for the defected return, and the deal for Beck is:
DeZoete, 5x2nds, 4x3rds, 4th.

So using the Tomasino return can be a realistic trade comparable - give or take.

Contenders Guelph, Missy, Saginaw and Sudbury could do some variation of this deal if they wouldn’t or couldn’t trade their 1st rounder.

It won’t be 6 second rounders for rehkopf but i wouldn’t be surprised if it’s 3 or 4 plus third rounds and maybe some decent 17 year old. Can’t trade in mote than a 4 year window now. Before I believe it was 6? Could be wrong though about that.

 

[HockeyPops]

Kitchener is set up pretty well to go for it this year, IMO.

True, their overall picks cupboard requires restocking, however they have a nice complement of picks for the coming draft (2024). There is no urgency to replace those later picks (2025, 2027) yet.

Next year they should have some nice pieces to deal, with Rehkopf and Andonovski being the centerpieces. Should be more than enough to restock.

If they believe in this group, I think the pendulum swings more towards "let's give them a shot".

 

[ohloutsider]

I've said it before but first place teams don't sell. You also need to take into consideration what that the players reaction would be? What message do you send - ya you worked your butt off to get into first place but we really don't believe in you so we are going to trade some of the top guys to start a rebuild! Not a good look or would it be well received. Kitchener won't be selling any key players.
They may move some middling players to help but only to " improve" the team.