Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Artorius Horus T]

As a Finn, i like to think the biggest change, thing for their success, is their HC; Jussi Ahokas,

He is obviously pro level coach of top leagues in Europe (6 year experience),
Has won gold for both U20 and U18 World Juniors,

2020 coach of the year of Sm-Liiga award
2020 coach of the year of Europe award

OHL has probably never had this level of coach, in skill and success.

 

[RB76]

Every game that passes the harder it is for MM to consider a sell off.

The D core is pretty much the exact same last year (Moore replaced by Reid and Campbell). The 5 returning D are a year older and performing much better than last years team. We obviously have to lose 1 OA which is going to hurt. Motew is highly underrated. Coaching is clearly helping this group. Let’s call it even D core compared to last year.

Parsons is legit. I 100% fine riding him as a starter. I’m more comfortable with him then Costantini as a starter. We are better this year imo.

The F depth is the concern. We lost Pinelli, Arcuri, Zhilkin and Valade. Let’s say Misaljevic replaces Valade (let’s call it a wash). We are still missing a big 3 replaced by Ellinas and 3 kids (Stark, Lam and Romano). Ellinas is a solid 17 year old and a big surprise trade that is looking like a big trade win. He is no Arcuri, Pinelli or Zhilkin though. The top end talent is fine. It’s that 3rd line filled with young players and older not great players that is the concern of this team. Coaching again is bringing up the F to a level that is to be honest…shocking. I can’t call even compared to last year but every game that passes it’s getting closer to being even WITHOUT the talent level we had last year. We are behind compared to last year.

Coaching - we aren’t as good as last year. I’m kidding. This is bringing up the D and F to a point that MM has no idea what to do.

The scary….depth on F and D. Once an OA D is traded we will be riding the top 4 D hard in playoffs. We will be riding the top 6 F hard in the playoffs. If we have 2 or 3 in that top 4D and top 6F injured we are screwed if we decide to go for it and not sell off. We don’t have the cupboard (unless a 16 year old) to really add a top 4 D or legit F that is more then a 3rds liner. It’s going to be really interesting to see what MM does. Maybe another player falls in our lap from AHL or NCAA guy which would really be welcomed with our draft cupboard. It will be interesting to see the next trade (besides the extra OA) to see what is going to happen. If it’s a 19 year old depth player we are going for it. If it’s a Hunter or big name going out clearlg it’s a sell off. Like I started this off though…every day that goes by it’s getting harder to see any type of sell.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

The 3rd is usually when this team lets up. Let's see what happens here. Forecheck has been lights out. Keep going.

I have to say that in past seasons, that has happened more times than I care to think about. However, this season is like nothing we have seen for a long time.

 

[RangerNation]

I have to say that in past seasons, that has happened more times than I care to think about. However, this season is like nothing we have seen for a long time.

They have had 2 or 3 games this year that they either lost, or still pulled out the OT win after a shakey 3rd. A team like OS has the ability to erase 4 goals, but it was a complete non factor last night. Solid game. Can't wait for Friday.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Honestly, who ever imagined that the Rangers would be 11 and 5 at this point in the season??
5 and 11 maybe....

And now....we're talking about maybe doing a little buying instead of a lot of selling. CRAZY.
(Although, I do think we need to do some strategic selling to recoup picks for the next draft.)

 

[RB76]

You are exactly right Jives, I don’t think you can sell at this point. The kids have bought in and deserve the chance to show they have what it takes to win a championship. IdeaLy the 06’s/07’s continue to develop under these coaches and gain valuable experience through out the year.

The thing is, IMO Kitchener is the top level destination for any kid in the OHL, add to it advanced level coaching and development, and players, agents and organizations will be lining up to get here.

The question is, can MM figure out a way forward while displaying the notion that Kitchener is a great place to send a prospect for development.

 

[Ward Cornell]

As a Finn, i like to think the biggest change, thing for their success, is their HC; Jussi Ahokas,

He is obviously pro level coach of top leagues in Europe (6 year experience),
Has won gold for both U20 and U18 World Juniors,

2020 coach of the year of Sm-Liiga award
2020 coach of the year of Europe award

OHL has probably never had this level of coach, in skill and success.

You won't get any argument from anyone here. We've been lauding him basically since training camp.
In the 60+ years of the Rangers, just scroll back for confirmation I think most fans would have Pete Deboer as the top of the pyramid of Ranger coaches. I know it's less than 20 games of Jussis tenure here, but from his past history and his start here I suspect he could be the top coach. But I doubt very much he would be here long enough to ascend to the top.

 

[bobber]

Rangers haven't been this solid in a long time. May be a while before it happens again. MM and his minions will really have to jump on this opportunity and ride it as long as they can. Credit for this has to go to Jussie and his staff on the bench for bringing in a new system and attitude here where every player is held to a standard. Jussi never gets too excited after a game. He seemed happy with the way the Rangers dominated the neutral zone last night and compared it to the London game where they never had the same success. He did mention Schmidt who only had one practice where he had the systems explained. Said he played a good physical game. Ranger players are excited to take this team on a run. Hard to deny them of the opportunity. These guys have forced the hand of MM to make some tough decisions.

 

[Gondrex]

As a Finn, i like to think the biggest change, thing for their success, is their HC; Jussi Ahokas,

He is obviously pro level coach of top leagues in Europe (6 year experience),
Has won gold for both U20 and U18 World Juniors,

2020 coach of the year of Sm-Liiga award
2020 coach of the year of Europe award

OHL has probably never had this level of coach, in skill and success.

One of the things that Ahokas and his staff have impressed with is their ability to adjust and re-adjust as required......and so quickly. For instance, a trip to the Bayshore always seems to be a challenge for any Ranger team. The Ranger's first game up there this year did not go so well. Last night, totally different team.

When hired, it was said that he checked all of the proverbial boxes, as was mentioned two seasons in a row now. Having gone through last season's disappointment, I admittedly lowered my expectations going into this year. We're now about 1/4 way through the schedule. I personally don't need any further proof of the coaching capabilities for this team.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Sell. Moving Brz, Mesar and an OA this year leaves you with 3 great OA's, a very good goalie and Rehk to help the young guys make a run while giving them significant ice time. Other good teams have done this in the past where they sell off a few big pieces, but they don't fire sale and keep a team that is still strong in the top 6 and top 4, while the other positions are given to the younger guys who step up and show they deserve it; and restocking for the future.

 

[rangersblues]

Owen sound might have to pull a Kitchener and be Buyers from the bottom half of the standings.

Buyer isn't really Degray's style. Certainly buying from the bottom is not.

 

[EvenSteven]

Sell. Moving Brz, Mesar and an OA this year leaves you with 3 great OA's, a very good goalie and Rehk to help the young guys make a run while giving them significant ice time. Other good teams have done this in the past where they sell off a few big pieces, but they don't fire sale and keep a team that is still strong in the top 6 and top 4, while the other positions are given to the younger guys who step up and show they deserve it; and restocking for the future.

I hear you. I’m still in the sell camp. For now.

But if this team tries to contend while selling, and we sell Brzustewicz, who runs the PP?

 

[RangerNation]

Sell. Moving Brz, Mesar and an OA this year leaves you with 3 great OA's, a very good goalie and Rehk to help the young guys make a run while giving them significant ice time. Other good teams have done this in the past where they sell off a few big pieces, but they don't fire sale and keep a team that is still strong in the top 6 and top 4, while the other positions are given to the younger guys who step up and show they deserve it; and restocking for the future.

Just a thought, but they might get away with just shipping Rehkopf and Ando next year (Parsons potentially too) and still get enough to restock. Other good teams have traded in the past, but I don't think they were trading the leading scoring defenseman and a 2 pts per game player. Those are keepers on a good team.

 

[bobber]

Buyer isn't really Degray's style. Certainly buying from the bottom is not.

It's called Old Mother Hubbard Syndrome.

 

[robertmac43]

Yeah we ain't selling. There is no way.

MM will ride this thing out and look for strategic ways to restock the cupboard. As mentioned by by many, between an OA sell and some summer moves, we should get some picks back for the coming couple of years.

 

[RB76]

If this is for real and the team / organization is really in the rise then I don’t think we’ll likely be in a position to sell next year either. I mean, if all the players remaining are a year older and developing, shouldn’t we expect to be a contender again next year?

 

[Starry Knight]

If this is for real and the team / organization is really in the rise then I don’t think we’ll likely be in a position to sell next year either. I mean, if all the players remaining are a year older and developing, shouldn’t we expect to be a contender again next year?

That's kind of the position the Knights are in this season. All the best players on the team are '05 or '06 born and the bulk of the team is returning from the OHL finals roster. Only issue is that losing McGurn, Diaco, and Winterton has left the offence anemic and there are no star '04s to lead the team.

I feel the Rangers should follow the Knights' model from last season: do some value adds and make a run. The Rangers' roster was clicking on a level that I haven't seen in a while. I'm envious of the offensive passing schemes that Ahokas has implemented.

 

[Matttheleaf]

If this is for real and the team / organization is really in the rise then I don’t think we’ll likely be in a position to sell next year either. I mean, if all the players remaining are a year older and developing, shouldn’t we expect to be a contender again next year?

Well if we don't sell this year and keep all of our major pieces then next year we would for sure lose Sop. Martin, Schmidt and Motew because they are OA's. We would then also not have, Hamara, Mesar and Brzustewicz as well because they will be OA's next year and would not be back. Obviously that leaves you with some other solid pieces, but we would then have zero drafted nhl D (at this moment) and was less quality up front, Not saying that it can't happen (cause it has so far this year) but I would find it unlikely.

 

[GeoBlue]

As a Finn, i like to think the biggest change, thing for their success, is their HC; Jussi Ahokas,

He is obviously pro level coach of top leagues in Europe (6 year experience),
Has won gold for both U20 and U18 World Juniors,

2020 coach of the year of Sm-Liiga award
2020 coach of the year of Europe award

OHL has probably never had this level of coach, in skill and success.

I don't think anyone on these boards will disagree with you.

 

[rangersblues]

As a Finn, i like to think the biggest change, thing for their success, is their HC; Jussi Ahokas,

He is obviously pro level coach of top leagues in Europe (6 year experience),
Has won gold for both U20 and U18 World Juniors,

2020 coach of the year of Sm-Liiga award
2020 coach of the year of Europe award

OHL has probably never had this level of coach, in skill and success.

I wouldn't say the OHL has never had this level of a coach but they're definitely a rare breed. The litmus test will be how well Jussi does in the NHL.

 

[Krangers08]

Kyrzakos and Flynn deserves some praise as well.

 

[Offside by a mile]

My prediction with Arcuri being sent to the ECHL and having a year of OHL eligibility left is he'll be back in the OHL. He may not be with the Rangers for very long as they already have an OA problem but i don't see a world where the ECHL is a better league for his development. Calling it now, he'll be back. Then what will the Rangers do?

My Hope.

Trade: Bru, Schmidt, Arcuri. Recoup a lot of assets.

Roll out:

Mesar, Rehkopf, Martin ( When healthy)
Missle, Sop,Swick
Lam,Romano,Ellinas,
Stark,Mercer, Pugliese
EX:Morey/Bottineau

Reid/Motew
Ando/Hamara
Scott/Campbell

I think the team above is formidable/ gains valuable playing/playoff experience for all our young guys and still recoups our cupboard with picks.

 

[Krangers08]

My prediction with Arcuri being sent to the ECHL and having a year of OHL eligibility left is he'll be back in the OHL. He may not be with the Rangers for very long as they already have an OA problem but i don't see a world where the ECHL is a better league for his development. Calling it now, he'll be back. Then what will the Rangers do?

My Hope.

Trade: Bru, Schmidt, Arcuri. Recoup a lot of assets.

Roll out:

Mesar, Rehkopf, Martin ( When healthy)
Missle, Sop,Swick
Lam,Romano,Ellinas,
Stark,Mercer, Pugliese
EX:Morey/Bottineau

Reid/Motew
Ando/Hamara
Scott/Campbell

I think the team above is formidable/ gains valuable playing/playoff experience for all our young guys and still recoups our cupboard with picks.

Arcuri to Mississauga for a 3rd and 5th. Teams will have the upper hand and leverage on the rangers if it happens

 

[EvenSteven]

Does Niagara have room for an OA? Based on what they just gave up for Brody Crane, we should get a boatload for an OA.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Are the Ice Dogs a real OHL team? What an overpayment