Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Rangers2022]

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.

Martin wanted to be a Ranger but knew he was going to get drafted before the Rangers turn in the draft. Not sure I trade Rehkopf this season, but Martin would be a great return as he was one of the top guys in this years draft. This would set the Rangers up for a few seasons. But like EvenSteven said on an earlier post Martin might make the NHL before his OHL time is up. Also can't see the Greyhounds trading him. If we do trade Rehkopf a 2007 born along with picks has to happen. Or we keep Rehkopf and trade him next year and get the 2007 born player like Coaches Coroner suggested.
Right now the way the Rangers are playing makes this a real tough decision which I didn't think they would be in. Going to be real interesting to see what MM does.

 

[SSMHoundsFan]

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".

Hounds have been in similar positions with their draft cupboard so I don't sense any urgency to blow up the Rangers roster to get a few more early picks over the coming seasons. As @EvenSteven pointed out, perhaps a mild sell is the best case scenario to appease everyone and give this team a shot this year

 

[EvenSteven]

…. however they have a nice complement of picks for the coming draft (2024).

I don’t believe we do. We have 1st. 2nd. 4th. As far as I’m concerned, to insure we have an above average to high end supporting cast of 08’s to complement the 07’s, we need four picks in the top three rounds. Preferably two 2nds if not three. That to prevent having to trade our way into contention when the 07’s are 19 years old.

So I think it’s imperative that we pick up a 2nd and 3rd at least for the ‘24 draft.

We can’t have a weak 08 group. Our weak 04 group was the reason we had to buy our way into contention last year. Our 04 group is still very thin this year.

Not many teams contend with a thin 19 year old group.

 

[HockeyPops]

Doesn't KIT have SBY 3rd in 2024?

 

[EvenSteven]

Doesn't KIT have SBY 3rd in 2024?

Conditional. Only if Hage reports to Sudbury. Very unlikely at this point.

 

[bobber]

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

Tears of joy after Rangers beat the Knights in their own barn.

 

[Krangers08]

Is it too early to invest in a Ellinas Jersey. What a start for the kid

 

[Tryblot]

Tears of joy after Rangers beat the Knights in their own barn.

I've watched one game in the last decade. I couldn't care less about the ohl, but congrats, I guess.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Is it too early to invest in a Ellinas Jersey. What a start for the kid

With each game I'm more and more impressed with him. I'm seeing him in a cpl yrs of being an Andrew Creszenzi type but with better offence skills.
Thank you for mentioning, been meaning to do it before.

 

[EvenSteven]

With each game I'm more and more impressed with him. I'm seeing him in a cpl yrs of being an Andrew Creszenzi type but with better offence skills.
Thank you for mentioning, been meaning to do it before.

He and Campbell have been a couple great additions at low cost. Both on Central scouting radar.

Hats off MM!

 

[Krangers08]

With the u17 ending Saturday. Is their any chance we see Romano,Reid, and Brady Martin for a 2pm game Sunday?

 

[bobber]

I've watched one game in the last decade. I couldn't care less about the ohl, but congrats, I guess.

So you came through a portal from some other dimension just to say you could care less about junior hockey. Whatever floats the old boat.

 

[Tryblot]

So you came through a portal from some other dimension just to say you could care less about junior hockey. Whatever floats the old boat.

I came in to talk about how well one of your players played and how much I liked his game but you somehow turned this into an argument about the knights because I was watching the game cheering for the knights due to them being a hometown team. I couldn't name 5 players on london. This whole interaction is unnecessary.

 

[rangersblues]

With the u17 ending Saturday. Is their any chance we see Romano,Reid, and Brady Martin for a 2pm game Sunday?

Even if there was a chance I think it depends on how heavy their schedule was at U17. Remember these are 16 year old kids and they have an increased workload from previous years.

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Conditional. Only if Hage reports to Sudbury. Very unlikely at this point.

I think we have your 2nd in 2024….

 

[EvenSteven]

I think we have your 2nd in 2024….

Yes you do. Any chance we can get it back?

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Yes you do. Any chance we can get it back?

I think as long as MM is reasonable with his requests…I think you could get it back. But who knows????

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Tears of joy after Rangers beat the Knights in their own barn.

So much joy! London....not so much.

 

[Gondrex]

It's one game. I've seen it before where London had a worse start to the season compared to now, and they still ended up winning the division. Admittedly, without personally knowing their current draft asset situation, I see them adding a piece or two for a run before the deadline - perhaps a player up front (?) - which will make them even better.

From a Kitchener perspective though, at least we know the Rangers should be more competitive in the match-ups. Last year it seemed like there was no answer to beating the Knights. It's at least a promising start to the season series so far this year.

 

[rangersblues]

It's one game. I've seen it before where London had a worse start to the season compared to now, and they still ended up winning the division. Admittedly, without personally knowing their current draft asset situation, I see them adding a piece or two for a run before the deadline - perhaps a player up front (?) - which will make them even better.

From a Kitchener perspective though, at least we know the Rangers should be more competitive in the match-ups. Last year it seemed like there was no answer to beating the Knights. It's at least a promising start to the season series so far this year.

100%. These are kids with a high learning curve and it's all about development. It looks more promising right now than it has in years. Once the calendar turns over for the new year MM will have to evaluate and make a decision which direction to go. Until then sit back and enjoy the ride

 

[Ward Cornell]

100%. These are kids with a high learning curve and it's all about development. It looks more promising right now than it has in years. Once the calendar turns over for the new year MM will have to evaluate a make a decision which direction to go. Until then sit back and enjoy the ride

Originally when Jussi, the coach from Finland was announced, myself and some others were concerned about a lock down, boring style of play.
In other words....just ignore anything I post.

 

[bobber]

100%. These are kids with a high learning curve and it's all about development. It looks more promising right now than it has in years. Once the calendar turns over for the new year MM will have to evaluate a make a decision which direction to go. Until then sit back and enjoy the ride

Blues great post! Hit the nail squarely on the head!

 

[rangersblues]

Originally when Jussi, the coach from Finland was announced, myself and some others were concerned about a lock down, boring style of play.
In other words....just ignore anything I post.

That was certainly the rumour.

 

[EvenSteven]

100%. These are kids with a high learning curve and it's all about development. It looks more promising right now than it has in years. Once the calendar turns over for the new year MM will have to evaluate and make a decision which direction to go. Until then sit back and enjoy the ride

He better not wait til then to get into trade talks with other GM’s.

 

[RangerNation]

He better not wait til then to get into trade talks with other GM’s.

I can only assume it's MM's phone that is ringing off the hook. It's no secret the Rangers need picks/young players and they have high flying assets right now.