Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Habsrule]

Habs this could be the scenario. Will they bother with another import? Rangers have a couple of lines that can score but the bottom end as it is on most teams is lacking in the scoring department. No one has a crystal ball. It's anyone's guess what MM will come up with going forward. I was surprised by this recent trade. Kind of came out of left field.

I have to assume they will look for another import. If they were near the bottom of the standings then why even bother, but when you are at the top of the league you have to fill that second spot.

I’m not expecting much but someone who could jump over the bottom of the lineup. Target a 19 year old forward who is on a team lower in the standings. That player would not be returning next year and is not too impactful. The value would be similar to Hamara.

 

[Matttheleaf]

I have to assume they will look for another import. If they were near the bottom of the standings then why even bother, but when you are at the top of the league you have to fill that second spot.

I’m not expecting much but someone who could jump over the bottom of the lineup. Target a 19 year old forward who is on a team lower in the standings. That player would not be returning next year and is not too impactful. The value would be similar to Hamara.

Some options could be:
Servac Petrovsky (C) from Owen Sound (16 points in 17gp) (04)
Martin Misiak (C) from Erie (18 points in 17gp) (04)
Rasmus Kumpulainen (C) from Oshawa (14 points in 16gp) (05)
Eduard Sale (RW) from Barrie (13 points in 15gp) (05)
Linus Hemstrom (RW) from Kingston (10 points in 11gp) (04)
Roman Kukumberg (C) from Sarnia (7 points in 13gp) (05)

These are the best options I saw on forward from teams in the bottom half of the standings.

 

[sbpointer]

Draft cupboard is critically bare in R-Town.
Maybe this deal and a decent return for Martin will offset that a bit without selling off in a way that upsets the progress the team is making.
I see your year now as a stand Pat and see where it goes. You can't really buy but aren't at a disadvantage against any team so might as well go for it and you return a lot of guys next year as well..

 

[Petes1987]

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.

The fact Mark Hunter will not trade top talent is the reason that in recent years they have not done as well in the playoffs as they use to. They have only made it to the conference finals once in the last seven years.

 

[rangersblues]

Draft cupboard is critically bare in R-Town.
Maybe this deal and a decent return for Martin will offset that a bit without selling off in a way that upsets the progress the team is making.
I see your year now as a stand Pat and see where it goes. You can't really buy but aren't at a disadvantage against any team so might as well go for it and you return a lot of guys next year as well..

Honestly looking at the players available who would really make a difference besides Beck if he's available. I'm definitely no expert and others are way more knowledgeable. Who would be some targets for any team.

 

[Krangers08]

Some options could be:
Servac Petrovsky (C) from Owen Sound (16 points in 17gp) (04)
Martin Misiak (C) from Erie (18 points in 17gp) (04)
Rasmus Kumpulainen (C) from Oshawa (14 points in 16gp) (05)
Eduard Sale (RW) from Barrie (13 points in 15gp) (05)
Linus Hemstrom (RW) from Kingston (10 points in 11gp) (04)
Roman Kukumberg (C) from Sarnia (7 points in 13gp) (05)

These are the best options I saw on forward from teams in the bottom half of the standings.

All of them would be more then we sold

 

[Matttheleaf]

All of them would be more then we sold

If we sell of Martin (which is looking more likely based on the D trade made today) we may get scarps back (if that) and then we may have to spend slightly to fill that spot and an OA might be the cheapest way to do that.

 

[RangerNation]

Based on MM's comments earlier, this trade has more to do with minutes played/request from Sens, than figuring out the draft cupboard. He wanted to wait and see where the team/league sat at Christmas. Sure, Schmidt coming back changes that a bit, but he's only be in 2 games so far. When Reid returns, and if there are no noticable defensive changes in the team, then it's a win in my books.

 

[RangerNation]

Hamara already playing in Brantford today. Top pair with Donovan. It makes too much sense. Almost like Andlauer made it happen lol.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Schmidt’s arrival and Campbell’s emergence making him expendable?

Why would Brantford give up assets for a vet. They’re down the standings.

Or, are we making room for somebody?

Hey....maybe this opens up the door for Tomáš Pobežal to come over here! He could bunk in with Mesar and have an easier transition. What an add that would be!

 

[OhSheilaa]

If there is one thing we can say about the way things have gone this season it's "expect the unexpected"

MM is on a roll. Watch something else awesome happen that is part of this move.

 

[Krangers08]

I heard he asked for a trade last week. Wanted minutes and was surpassed by Reid on pp2.
The Ottawa connection in Brantford makes sense and playing for McKee should be good for him

Kitchener Rangers import Tomas Hamara requests trade, dealt to Brantford

Czech defenceman unhappy with role and ice time with Blueshirts.

www.therecord.com

 

[EvenSteven]

Hey....maybe this opens up the door for Tomáš Pobežal to come over here! He could bunk in with Mesar and have an easier transition. What an add that would be!

That door was open before Mesar was returned, no?

 

[Habsrule]

Hey....maybe this opens up the door for Tomáš Pobežal to come over here! He could bunk in with Mesar and have an easier transition. What an add that would be!

Getting him to come over is ideal but really not probable. I can recall imports coming over to the CHL mid season when they have already been drafted by an NHL team. Or maybe they are even in their draft year and are not happy with their situation back home.

Pobezal will be in his draft season next year. He has played one game in the U20 league and put up a 5 point game. He has had 3 points in 14 games playing for HK Nitra in their pro league. It’s not a huge amount of points but looks like he much be getting some ice time. I can’t see him leaving to come over now. It is different when already drafted by an NHL team because they may try to sway you into going to play in North America.

 

[Krangers08]

That door was open before Mesar was returned, no?

Hopefully opening night next year.

How about switching one Tomas for another?
After all the Rangers selected highly touted 17-year-old forward Tomas Pobezal in this year’s CHL import draft but the Slovak decided to play in a men’s league back home. He’s currently with Slovakia’s Under-20 team in a tournament and is hoping to make the nation’s world junior championship squad.
“Not right now,” said McKenzie, about the proposition. “I think it would be a great opportunity for him. We think really highly of him, and it would be a really big add for our team so we’ll definitely speak to him and let him know there is an opportunity here.”

It obviously opens up an import spot now so whether it’s somebody on our list that we can try to recruit or it’s someone else in the league, we can look at filling that spot and use it as a way to improve for the future,” said McKenzie.

 

[bobber]

The fact Mark Hunter will not trade top talent is the reason that in recent years they have not done as well in the playoffs as they use to. They have only made it to the conference finals once in the last seven years.

Petes1987 gees I have to get rid of these marijuana gummies now! I thought they won the OHL championship every one of those years. Damn! Someone told me I would go blind if I kept chewing them. Once I have to start wearing coke bottle glasses I will quite.

 

[bobber]

Have to mention Lam's goal last night. Kid's shot reminded me of Jeremy Morin. He picked that spot with some high accuracy. Lam is small but sure has some ice in his veins. Not afraid to go into the house in front of the net to create chances. Hope they don't trade this kid because he will put up some crazy numbers down the road.

 

[Krangers08]

Have to mention Lam's goal last night. Kid's shot reminded me of Jeremy Morin. He picked that spot with some high accuracy. Lam is small but sure has some ice in his veins. Not afraid to go into the house in front of the net to create chances. Hope they don't trade this kid because he will put up some crazy numbers down the road.

Him and Stark are safe this year at least. Lam likely untouchable for this team heading into 2027

 

[Antiillafire]

Pobezal plays 4C for Nitra and isn’t getting much ice time unless he’s on the junior team. If Kitchener could offer him 3C ice time with a PK or PP2 role I think he would come over. Personally I believe he would wait until post WJC, if coach says he has a good chance of making it.

 

[EvenSteven]

Pobezal plays 4C for Nitra and isn’t getting much ice time unless he’s on the junior team. If Kitchener could offer him 3C ice time with a PK or PP2 role I think he would come over. Personally I believe he would wait until post WJC, if coach says he has a good chance of making it.

He may get those minutes here this year.

Him and Stark are safe this year at least. Lam likely untouchable for this team heading into 2027

Lam’s emergence may make Romano expendable at the deadline if MM decided to go down that road.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere]

Some options could be:
Servac Petrovsky (C) from Owen Sound (16 points in 17gp) (04)
Martin Misiak (C) from Erie (18 points in 17gp) (04)
Rasmus Kumpulainen (C) from Oshawa (14 points in 16gp) (05)
Eduard Sale (RW) from Barrie (13 points in 15gp) (05)
Linus Hemstrom (RW) from Kingston (10 points in 11gp) (04)
Roman Kukumberg (C) from Sarnia (7 points in 13gp) (05)

These are the best options I saw on forward from teams in the bottom half of the standings.

I'll add one more name to this list...

Sandis Vilmanis (LW) from Sarnia (18 points in 18gp) (04)

Florida prospect who would fill in a LW slot with Martin being out and has size that the lineup might be missing (6'1-6'2).

 

[Ward Cornell]

He may get those minutes here this year.


Lam’s emergence may make Romano expendable at the deadline if MM decided to go down that road.

Honestly if I had to rank our 16 yr old players, I would have in order
1. Reid 2. Lam 3. Romano and Stark.
If Stark had more games in the league, I would have him a very solid 3. I'm just impressed with Starks offensive potential and awareness. But geesch what a great draft and this doesn't include McNiel who would have made quite a few teams in this league.

As for Hamara I can see his/Ottawa desire for him to get more icetime. But in all honesty, he was probably was behind in order Hunter B, Schmidt, Ando, Motew and neck and neck with Reid. This is with Blair Scott waiting in the wings, so a dman had to go. With Reid and Scott being younger, a trade for more icetime was the best for his career.

 

[Matttheleaf]

I'll add one more name to this list...

Sandis Vilmanis (LW) from Sarnia (18 points in 18gp) (04)

Florida prospect who would fill in a LW slot with Martin being out and has size that the lineup might be missing (6'1-6'2).

Somehow missed him when I was making the list. Only true LW which would help as well.

 

[RB76]

Honestly if I had to rank our 16 yr old players, I would have in order
1. Reid 2. Lam 3. Romano and Stark.
If Stark had more games in the league, I would have him a very solid 3. I'm just impressed with Starks offensive potential and awareness. But geesch what a great draft and this doesn't include McNiel who would have made quite a few teams in this league.

As for Hamara I can see his/Ottawa desire for him to get more icetime. But in all honesty, he was probably was behind in order Hunter B, Schmidt, Ando, Motew and neck and neck with Reid. This is with Blair Scott waiting in the wings, so a dman had to go. With Reid and Scott being younger, a trade for more icetime was the best for his career.

This coaching staff will be able to get the most out of these 07’s. No doubt based on early returns they stand a great chance to be excellent OHL players and beyond.

Reid and Lam are ahead but the upside to Romano and Stark is considerable.

 

[bobber]

This coaching staff will be able to get the most out of these 07’s. No doubt based on early returns they stand a great chance to be excellent OHL players and beyond.

Reid and Lam are ahead but the upside to Romano and Stark is considerable.

Really like what we have seen from Stark in limited viewings.