Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Season Thread (Part One)

[Habsrule]

I know it’s a tiresome topic but does anyone have insight on if Mesar will make Laval? Tried looking on Twitter but every other tweet just Rips Kitchener and wants him traded.

I don’t know anything but with Armia cleared waivers and will be in Laval.

Laval is now stacked at forward;

Vets - Armia, Maillet, Mitchell, Andersson, Condetta, Bourque

Rookies - Roy, Farrell, Heineman, Kidney

Players who are not rookies yet not grizzled vets - Mysak, Legare, Davidson, Simoneau, Gignac, McKay



That is 16 forwards there. A player or two will be sent to Trois Rivières so there goes a roster spot or two.

 

[EvenSteven]

Why do you assume they are buyers? All best they went out and got a real goaltender? Their other 2 have a 6..00 GGA combined.


I once mentioned that they should have 2 separate HOF's. One for NHL excellence and one for OHL. Your example is dead on to why the current system is wrong. Like, is Dwight Foster up there? And they don't have to "retire" any numbers, if you ask me, just hang up the sweaters in recognition.

They have a lot of numbers to retire/recognize before they get to 18, 92, and 53.

So many that they’re maybe way too far behind to even start.

 

[Krangers08]

Cool little tidbit,
Owen Edwards Is the goalie going against mcdavid in the new CCM commercial.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I see both sides of him having his jersey retired by Kitchener and not having it retired.

If he had his jersey retired then it would be more based upon his NHL resume and not his OHL one. He only played 114 games for Kitchener, 141 including playoffs. He totalled 112 regular season points and 145 including the playoffs. He was just barely over point per game during his Kitchener tenure.

He only played that much in Kitchener because he really was that good and went straight to the NHL. Don't let points fool you. Landeskog did much more than points. He was a force to be reckoned with right from his first home game with the Rangers. He was challenged to a fight that game...a sort of welcome to Canada...and Landeskog finished the challenger off in short order. No one ever challenged him again.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

MESAR WATCH....perhaps here for a bit then off to a playoff team? Help re-stock the cupboard.

Montreal Journal - In addition, Jean-François Houle does not yet know where Filip Mesar will play this season. The 2022 first-round pick (26th) is 19 years old and can be returned to the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Junior League. "We're not sure yet, we still have meetings with Montreal and the leaders. We'll talk about it this week and we'll see." Mesar played in the Rocket's first game last season before heading to Kitchener. "It's possible he'll stay here all year," Houle said. He did well in the last preseason game, he's a player who can bring offence, but we have to make sure we can give him quality ice."

DANSLESCOULISSES Marc-Olivier Cook - There is one question that remains in Laval, however. What will happen to Filip Mesar? The Habs prospect continues to be talked about and we wonder if he is ready to make the jump to the American League. He had an up-and-down season last year in the OHL, which suggests he still has some crusts to eat before he can be dominant in the pros... And the problem is that with the club's depth up front, Jean-François Houle won't have the luxury of giving him much ice time. With a view to playing as much as possible to develop, it would probably be ideal for him to return to junior.

 

[rangersblues]

"Dominant in the pros". I'm guessing something got lost in the translation or this guy had his rouge, bleu et blanc glasses on when he wrote that.

 

[EvenSteven]

He only played that much in Kitchener because he really was that good and went straight to the NHL. Don't let points fool you. Landeskog did much more than points. He was a force to be reckoned with right from his first home game with the Rangers. He was challenged to a fight that game...a sort of welcome to Canada...and Landeskog finished the challenger off in short order. No one ever challenged him again.

There’s no questioning what you’re saying, but to retire/honour any of 18, 92, 53 ahead of decades of comparable stars, seems out of order.

 

[Ward Cornell]

There’s no questioning what you’re saying, but to retire/honour any of 18, 92, 53 ahead of decades of comparable stars, seems out of order.

Unless 18 is retired/honored for Walt Tkaczuk . IMHO he was Mike Richard's 30+ yrs before Richard's showed up here.
Some other players to consider, Sandy Fitzpatrick #7, Jeff Larmer #19 and Don Edward's ( forget number but suspect #1)

 

[EvenSteven]

Unless 18 is retired/honored for Walt Tkaczuk . IMHO he was Mike Richard's 30+ yrs before Richard's showed up here.

And Shawn Burr in the 80’s.

 

[rangersblues]

Unless 18 is retired/honored for Walt Tkaczuk . IMHO he was Mike Richard's 30+ yrs before Richard's showed up here.
Some other players to consider, Sandy Fitzpatrick #7, Jeff Larmer #19 and Don Edward's ( forget number but suspect #1)

Bob Blanchet was #1. Don Edwards was #30. Walter Tkaczuk was #8 in Kitchener and #18 playing for the New York Rangers. I believe Bob Nevin already had #8.

 

[Krangers08]

Marco has signed in the ECHL

https://x.com/lions3r/status/1712191248193270248?s=46&t=qjgZ9sZi1SDlPGt0pvDtuQ

 

[rgr4life]

Will not be reading Josh Brown this year as I am not a subscriber.

If you open your browser in incognito mode, you can read everything.

 

[Krangers08]

I saw on a board a rehkopf mock trade and it really peaked my interest and would be a slam dunk.

Rehkopf and Martin for Caden Taylor (9th overall pick) multiple 2nd and 3rd.

I’m also hearing London is trying to shop Juan Copeland, could he and Blake Arrowsmith (sign 3rd rounder but no one knows where’s he playing) be in a Mesar package.
*London would likely flip Gazizov

 

[Habsrule]

I saw on a board a rehkopf mock trade and it really peaked my interest and would be a slam dunk.

Rehkopf and Martin for Caden Taylor (9th overall pick) multiple 2nd and 3rd.

I’m also hearing London is trying to shop Juan Copeland, could he and Blake Arrowsmith (sign 3rd rounder but no one knows where’s he playing) be in a Mesar package.
*London would likely flip Gazizov

I am all for trading Rehkopf this year if the Rangers can get an Owen Beck like return. Beck returned Van Volson (16 year old who was drafted #6), DeZiote (18 year old depth forward), two 2nds, a 3rd and a 4th.

I would rather trade Rehkopf and Martin separately. I know that overagers don’t tend to carry big value but Martin is a unique player in that he has size, skill and speed. Not many power forward type of players around. He plays a playoff style of hockey would be an overage upgrade on most teams. Think of the Moore for Serpa, 2nd, 3rd and 8th type of trade the Rangers did last year.

Then trade Brzustewicz for the best offer. Motew and Sop may be overage upgrades for some teams but I can’t see either having too much value. If Mesar gets returned then he can be dealt off. One of the goalies can be traded too if a contender is looking. Some wildcards are Swick, Miseljevic and Pugliese. All are 19 and could return for an overage season next year. Yes Kitchener should keep some around to be overagers but they can worry about that come next season. Swick has size and can play, he would be a huge add to a playoff team. Misaljevic is putting up big numbers so far and that could interest teams. Pugliese would just be a depth puck up for a contender.

 

[hockeylegend11]

I saw on a board a rehkopf mock trade and it really peaked my interest and would be a slam dunk.

Rehkopf and Martin for Caden Taylor (9th overall pick) multiple 2nd and 3rd.

I’m also hearing London is trying to shop Juan Copeland, could he and Blake Arrowsmith (sign 3rd rounder but no one knows where’s he playing) be in a Mesar package.
*London would likely flip Gazizov

Arrowsmith can't be dealt this year because he is a 16 year old,can not be moved till next summer.

 

[HockeyPops]

Offensively, Beck was averaging 1.37 pts per game for MISS his 18 year old season when he was traded. He was one of the top faceoff men in the league, and one of the best two way centers and had some jam to his game.

I think Rehkopf needs to demonstrate something similar to that to warrant the same type of return. I don't think he has yet.

 

[Krangers08]

Arrowsmith can't be dealt this year because he is a 16 year old,can not be moved till next summer.

16 years olds can be traded end of December.

 

[Kingpin794]

16 years olds can be traded end of December.

Only players you selected in the first round. All other 16 year olds are off limits.

 

[bobber]

I believe the rule states if a said team trades for a 16 year old first rounder that player can be added to the roster with the other 4 eligible 16 year olds on the present roster. If they have that number playing. On Rehkopf being a marketable asset in trade talks he needs to show up every game. Has to show he is a 200 foot player and be more of a point per game guy. To demand the same assets acquired for Beck other GMs would have to see more IMO. As for Mesar if he comes back the read on him last year and in the pro camp was he is too much of a perimeter player that doesn't win battles along the boards. Jussi wants player driving the net. Maybe this is the coach Mesar needs. Just my two cents if it's even worth that much.

 

[rangersblues]

I am all for trading Rehkopf this year if the Rangers can get an Owen Beck like return. Beck returned Van Volson (16 year old who was drafted #6), DeZiote (18 year old depth forward), two 2nds, a 3rd and a 4th.

I would rather trade Rehkopf and Martin separately. I know that overagers don’t tend to carry big value but Martin is a unique player in that he has size, skill and speed. Not many power forward type of players around. He plays a playoff style of hockey would be an overage upgrade on most teams. Think of the Moore for Serpa, 2nd, 3rd and 8th type of trade the Rangers did last year.

Then trade Brzustewicz for the best offer. Motew and Sop may be overage upgrades for some teams but I can’t see either having too much value. If Mesar gets returned then he can be dealt off. One of the goalies can be traded too if a contender is looking. Some wildcards are Swick, Miseljevic and Pugliese. All are 19 and could return for an overage season next year. Yes Kitchener should keep some around to be overagers but they can worry about that come next season. Swick has size and can play, he would be a huge add to a playoff team. Misaljevic is putting up big numbers so far and that could interest teams. Pugliese would just be a depth puck up for a contender.

Beck was an invitee of the U20 Team Canada and a late addition to the team in December. I'm unsure how close Rehkopf is to joining that stratosphere but as others have said he's not there yet. Even if he has a point explosion this year I doubt he has the 200 foot game to get there this year.

 

[Stellar29]

Beck was an invitee of the U20 Team Canada and a late addition to the team in December. I'm unsure how close Rehkopf is to joining that stratosphere but as others have said he's not there yet. Even if he has a point explosion this year I doubt he has the 200 foot game to get there this year.

It's not thought to be a particularly strong 2004 group for Canada. Wouldn't be shocked at all if there is more 2005(18 year olds) born players this year than in typical years. Rehkopf probably has a pretty decent chance if he has a good first half leading into the tournament.

 

[Krangers08]

Would Luca Testa be worth a flyer for this team assuming it a middle round pick. First round pick last year who hasn’t found his footing and hasn’t played for Brantford this year yet.

 

[rangersblues]

It's not thought to be a particularly strong 2004 group for Canada. Wouldn't be shocked at all if there is more 2005(18 year olds) born players this year than in typical years. Rehkopf probably has a pretty decent chance if he has a good first half leading into the tournament.

A good place to start would have been to get an invite to the Summer Camp meetings.

2023-24 National Junior Team Summer Meetings Roster

www.hockeycanada.ca

 

[HockeyPops]

A good place to start would have been to get an invite to the Summer Camp meetings.

2023-24 National Junior Team Summer Meetings Roster

www.hockeycanada.ca

Yup. If Barlow or Ritchie were ever made available this season, you know the going rate would trump that of Rehkopf.

 

[Krangers08]

I am all for trading Rehkopf this year if the Rangers can get an Owen Beck like return. Beck returned Van Volson (16 year old who was drafted #6), DeZiote (18 year old depth forward), two 2nds, a 3rd and a 4th.

I would rather trade Rehkopf and Martin separately. I know that overagers don’t tend to carry big value but Martin is a unique player in that he has size, skill and speed. Not many power forward type of players around. He plays a playoff style of hockey would be an overage upgrade on most teams. Think of the Moore for Serpa, 2nd, 3rd and 8th type of trade the Rangers did last year.

Then trade Brzustewicz for the best offer. Motew and Sop may be overage upgrades for some teams but I can’t see either having too much value. If Mesar gets returned then he can be dealt off. One of the goalies can be traded too if a contender is looking. Some wildcards are Swick, Miseljevic and Pugliese. All are 19 and could return for an overage season next year. Yes Kitchener should keep some around to be overagers but they can worry about that come next season. Swick has size and can play, he would be a huge add to a playoff team. Misaljevic is putting up big numbers so far and that could interest teams. Pugliese would just be a depth puck up for a contender.

Mesar and Sale in Barrie would be a interesting duo