Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[robertmac43]

Parsons is locked in tonight!

 

[Krangers08]

Lam had a nasty snipe. Kid can score

 

[RangerNation]

Well the trap kinda worked. Rangers only got 4 goals instead of 5. Another brick wall performance from Parsons

 

[All the Answers]

Kitchener played like they're the best team in the league tonight. As of now, they might be.

 

[robertmac43]

Crazy how good we are. Been so much fun watching this team so far.

 

[All the Answers]

Sell and play .400 hockey the rest of the way, or stand pat and play .600 hockey. Either way I don't see a reality where Ahokas isn't the frontrunner for COTY.

 

[Ranger77]

Sell and play .400 hockey the rest of the way, or stand pat and play .600 hockey. Either way I don't see a reality where Ahokas isn't the frontrunner for COTY.

No way you can sell now with the way the team is playing! What kind of message does that send the team if you start selling? "Good job boys! You're the best team in the league but because we bought when we were a 9th place team last year, we have to trade some of you."

Sometimes you just catch lightning in a bottle. Much like the Vegas Knights in their first season. Their initial plan was to trade some of the players that they had accumulated in the expansion draft for picks, but once they started winning, they enjoyed the ride all the way to Stanley Cup final.

 

[EvenSteven]

No way you can sell now with the way the team is playing! What kind of message does that send the team if you start selling? "Good job boys! You're the best team in the league but because we bought when we were a 9th place team last year, we have to trade some of you."

Sometimes you just catch lightning in a bottle. Much like the Vegas Knights in their first season. Their initial plan was to trade some of the players that they had accumulated in the expansion draft for picks, but once they started winning, they enjoyed the ride all the way to Stanley Cup final.

Unless we’re willing to put youth on the table: Reid and/or Romano, and guys like Ellinas or Campbell, we cannot buy much of anything at the deadline. We have virtually no picks.

Meanwhile, Saginaw, Guelph, London and the Soo, already deep teams, will all get better.

Do we move the youth?

 

[robertmac43]

Do we move the youth?

I don't like the idea of moving them, however... If this team continues to win at this rate MM will be looking to improve this team in any way he can.

 

[EvenSteven]

I don't like the idea of moving them, however... If this team continues to win at this rate MM will be looking to improve this team in any way he can.

Referencing my earlier post where I suggested an example of a Romano for Lardis deal:

If we wanted to go nuclear, do the same type of deal with another selling team for their stud 05 where Reid goes the other way.

That’s Romano and Reid out, two high end 05’s in, where both could be sold next season.

I don’t see it happening, but, if we did and improved this team to the point where we go deep, maybe win a championship, who knows what happens at the Memorial Cup?

Lol!!! Did I just say all that out loud??

 

[Ward Cornell]

Unless we’re willing to put youth on the table: Reid and/or Romano, and guys like Ellinas or Campbell, we cannot buy much of anything at the deadline. We have virtually no picks.

Meanwhile, Saginaw, Guelph, London and the Soo, already deep teams, will all get better.

Do we move the youth?

No, a loud NO.
Just trade an OA for picks. Don't
mess one iota of the team chemistry.
Parsons is fully locked in, his rebound control is elite.

 

[RB76]

Have to figure out a way without giving up the farm. Perhaps some of the pieces that aren’t buying in get moved but keep the rest and play it out.
I’ll take a perennial contender all day long.

 

[Krangers08]

Not team related but Is becks value going down? He wasn’t noticeable tonight and when he was It looked like he didn’t care.

*Cam Reid is playing in the finals tomorrow while Brady Martin and Romano were eliminated today. Doubt Reid and Romano play Sunday but hopefully Martin will be

 

[EvenSteven]

Have to figure out a way without giving up the farm. Perhaps some of the pieces that aren’t buying in get moved but keep the rest and play it out.
I’ll take a perennial contender all day long.

I think the way this team is playing, you’d be hard pressed to find a player that isn’t buying in.

Not team related but Is becks value going down. He wasn’t noticeable tonight and when he was It looked like he didn’t care.
*Cam Reid is playing in the finals tomorrow while Brady Martin and Romano were eliminated today.

From what I saw tonight, and it’s just one game, I wouldn’t give up the farm for Owen Beck.

Good player and good playoff player, but not at the prices that are suggested over on the Pete’s board.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Unless we’re willing to put youth on the table: Reid and/or Romano, and guys like Ellinas or Campbell, we cannot buy much of anything at the deadline. We have virtually no picks.

Meanwhile, Saginaw, Guelph, London and the Soo, already deep teams, will all get better.

Do we move the youth?

Moving our very talented youth is a hard NO and systemically stupid.

IF it's decided that Schmidt should go....do Rangers have to get TB's buy-in with regards to the team he would go to??

 

[EvenSteven]

Moving our very talented youth is a hard NO and systemically stupid.

IF it's decided that Schmidt should go....do Rangers have to get TB's buy-in with regards to the team he would go to??

I agree. At some point, MM has to realize he has to stay the course. We’re in the position we’re in because he put us here. Going all in last year emptied the cupboard. No matter how good we are this year, we cannot go all in again without ammunition. The opposition will get better. We can’t match what they can do at the deadline.

I’m in the camp where we don’t move youth. At the very least we do a soft cell. But IMO, we need to listen to offers on all graduating players. I’m not saying move them all. But I would move two or three at least. The guys we’d get the most for.

 

[bobber]

The Petes really don't have the scoring the Rangers do when you look at over all stats. They capitalized on their chances and forced the Petes to open up. The Petes like to play a stingy trapping style of game where they wear down opponents. The Rangers did a hell of a job killing off 7 PP plays last night. Parsons put on quite a show with his 2nd shut out in a row. For anyone talking trading our highly skilled rookies I also give this a hard no. Ottawa and London trade fringe players and keep their future stars. If they trade a rookie there is something in their game that doesn't fit the system they have in place. This is how you build a solid team that has an impact every season. I know I have " Old Timers" and seemed confused most of the time but the U-turn a poster or two have taken here just hurt my little brain. Maybe we are in the Twilight Zone.

 

[Habsrule]

If you asked me three weeks ago I was 100% on the sell side. The team has had an easier schedule up to that point and the loses were bound to happen.

If you asked me two weeks ago I was starting to change my mind a little bit. Mesar got sent back and that is some added offence. I was still on the soft sell side.

If you asked me last week I was 50/50 on what the team should do. They have reeled off some big wins and are starting to prove that just maybe they do belong near the top of the league.

Now if you asked me this week I can’t see a way that the team is a seller. They have been knocking off top teams and by numerous goals. I was never a big fan of Schmidt and it was solely based on the fact he doesn’t use his size for what he could. He could be one of the most physical and feared defenders in the league. Have him strike fear in opponents. Now I don’t think he has played great his first two games but the team is 2-0 and with back to back shutouts.



For me I am in the stay put category. For me Martin is the odd man out for the OAs. Sop is a local and is among the league leaders in points. So much of the Rangers marketing has been around him. Martin has had his trade value drop with this injury but he plays a very playoff style of game. He would be an ideal pickup for any playoff team if he is healthy. Biggest thing for me is just to run with the defence the Rangers have. I think they have the best defence core in the OHL;

Brzustewicz - Andonovski
Schmidt - Hamara
Motew - Reid

I would love to find a way to get Campbell in there though. With that defence and with their goalies I can see them winning a lot of lower scoring games. Or at least not allowing too many goals.

I would trade Martin for picks and then just pick up one depth forward in trade. Wait until the trade deadline and go bargain shopping. Look for some 19 year old forward that is a depth player on a selling team. Just someone like a 19 year old who is like a Mercer or Morey or Pugliese type of player. A guy who will not be back as an OA next year and doesn’t carry much trade value. He can be traded for a depth draft pick. It would say to the players that they went out and acquired someone to help them win. Plus that new player may be really motivated to go to a playoff team and they give extra effort.

Then you make a run for it with what you have.

 

[ohloutsider]

London traded their 1st round pick last year and got to the finals, so there's that. With the team and coach you have the debate of buy or sell should pretty much be over. Who's to say your coach is not a one and done considering the results? The discussion of what shoulda, woulda, coulda, happened will be discussed on here for years if you don't buy and he moves on. Carry on.

 

[blkhawk]

I imagine MM can sit back and if he gets an offer for Brzustewicz he that cannot refuse then trade him
I myself am old enough that future seasons are not a priority to me
This season is extremely enjoyable and out of the blue
I will enjoy it

 

[bobber]

If you asked me three weeks ago I was 100% on the sell side. The team has had an easier schedule up to that point and the loses were bound to happen.

If you asked me two weeks ago I was starting to change my mind a little bit. Mesar got sent back and that is some added offence. I was still on the soft sell side.

If you asked me last week I was 50/50 on what the team should do. They have reeled off some big wins and are starting to prove that just maybe they do belong near the top of the league.

Now if you asked me this week I can’t see a way that the team is a seller. They have been knocking off top teams and by numerous goals. I was never a big fan of Schmidt and it was solely based on the fact he doesn’t use his size for what he could. He could be one of the most physical and feared defenders in the league. Have him strike fear in opponents. Now I don’t think he has played great his first two games but the team is 2-0 and with back to back shutouts.



For me I am in the stay put category. For me Martin is the odd man out for the OAs. Sop is a local and is among the league leaders in points. So much of the Rangers marketing has been around him. Martin has had his trade value drop with this injury but he plays a very playoff style of game. He would be an ideal pickup for any playoff team if he is healthy. Biggest thing for me is just to run with the defence the Rangers have. I think they have the best defence core in the OHL;

Brzustewicz - Andonovski
Schmidt - Hamara
Motew - Reid

I would love to find a way to get Campbell in there though. With that defence and with their goalies I can see them winning a lot of lower scoring games. Or at least not allowing too many goals.

I would trade Martin for picks and then just pick up one depth forward in trade. Wait until the trade deadline and go bargain shopping. Look for some 19 year old forward that is a depth player on a selling team. Just someone like a 19 year old who is like a Mercer or Morey or Pugliese type of player. A guy who will not be back as an OA next year and doesn’t carry much trade value. He can be traded for a depth draft pick. It would say to the players that they went out and acquired someone to help them win. Plus that new player may be really motivated to go to a playoff team and they give extra effort.

Then you make a run for it with what you have.

Some good points Habs. Rangers at this point in time don't need much. After all they are in a rebuild On the Schmidt point give the kid time. He mentioned in his interview he has only had two morning skates. They don't practice systems in the morning only afternoon. Jussi will whip him into shape. He seems to be a coach that demands responsibility. Players are given a role and will be held accountable. I really hope he develops Schmidt into a solid defenseman. Kid is massive.

 

[bobber]

London traded their 1st round pick last year and got to the finals, so there's that. With the team and coach you have the debate of buy or sell should pretty much be over. Who's to say your coach is not a one and done considering the results? The discussion of what shoulda, woulda, coulda, happened will be discussed on here for years if you don't buy and he moves on. Carry on.

I don't think Hunter would have traded Testa if he thought he would turn into Marner. He knew his limitations after watching him develop. Been a long time since the Rangers had to players in the Under 17. You never trade those types.

 

[ohloutsider]

I don't think Hunter would have traded Testa if he thought he would turn into Marner. He knew his limitations after watching him develop. Been a long time since the Rangers had to players in the Under 17. You never trade those types.

Sarina traded Martone last year, so yes teams do trade them when they are close and short of picks.

 

[OhSheilaa]

Another well played game. Great entertainment. I still think the Rangers were robbed on the goal Ellinas scored that was called back for offside. No Petes player on the ice complained and no one on their coaching staff did either. The refs were lined up ready to drop the puck. Maybe it's time to review Kitchener's video review goal judge. We could have had free Chick Fil A if it counted lol.

 

[EvenSteven]

Sarina traded Martone last year, so yes teams do trade them when they are close and short of picks.

And, MM has a history of trading his 1st rounder. Did so in the Logan Brown trade.