Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[blkhawk]

I hope one of the assistant coaches is watching closely what Jussi is doing . He will not be here long sadly

 

[Ranger77]

For those of you who keep questioning why this team doesn't get ranked in the CHL Top 10, you'd have to think a win Sunday against highly touted Saginaw would do the trick.

 

[Ward Cornell]

For those of you who keep questioning why this team doesn't get ranked in the CHL Top 10, you'd have to think a win Sunday against highly touted Saginaw would do the trick.

Note: Saginaw will be playing their 3rd game of the weekend and the Rangers suspended players will be back.
Zero excuses.

 

[EvenSteven]

Note: Saginaw will be playing their 3rd game of the weekend and the Rangers suspended players will be back.
Zero excuses.

Especially when you consider the 2pm start time.

But Saginaw hasn’t played since last Sunday.

 

[Billyjack]

For those of you who keep questioning why this team doesn't get ranked in the CHL Top 10, you'd have to think a win Sunday against highly touted Saginaw would do the trick.

Who gives a shit about top 10, they have lost all they're credibility

 

[LostRangers]

I hope one of the assistant coaches is watching closely what Jussi is doing . He will not be here long sadly

I believe that is the plan to have one, or both step in as successor(s) to Jussi when he makes the jump to pro. Smart move…ensures we don’t lose talent from our bench to someone else.

 

[EvenSteven]

I believe that is the plan to have one, or both step in as successor(s) to Jussi when he makes the jump to pro. Smart move…ensures we don’t lose talent from our bench to someone else.

It is a good plan.

But, A) at least not for another couple years please! And B) hope it’s a better transition than DeBoer to Spott.

 

[bobber]

Who gives a shit about top 10, they have lost all they're credibility

Jussi is asked about that ranking and could care less. It's irrelevant really in the day to day operation of a team. All it does is give some fans something to brag about during the regular season.

Rangers played a hell of a game last night. Having young players slotted in and a rookie goalie they did a great job. The Wolves haves some high end players and are not a team to take lightly. Good on the Rangers for taking the lead and increasing it as the game wore on.

 

[Jives]

Top 10 looks at more just points and standings. I’m a Ranger fan but if they go into the first round against the Knights and I have to bet $100 on one of them to win I’m taking the Knights. My heart says Rangers but my brain says Knights. This is why even with a win tomorrow if the Rangers make the top 10 it would just be 9th or 10th. Our top 6 F consist of three 17 year olds and one 18 year old. We have only two 19 year old forwards who are just depth players in Mercer and Grisolia. While are 3rd and 4th line are decent they are no where near the level to try to win a championship. The D is good but again doesn’t have the top end talent of a Bonk or Dickinson (Reid will get there but only 17).

We have to look at this core of young players and built off it. Misa value is rising everyday. Swick has value as there aren’t many forwards like him in the OHL. Ando is a solid shut down vet D. Sell those 3 and get 2 lower level OAs back to fill the voids. Be a middle of the pack team and hopefully win 1 round. Set yourself up for mem cup year. We can’t just keep being happy with doing good. Strive to have a year of greatness (mem cup year).

We are not getting by London this year without adding 3 to 5 players and we don’t have those type of assets to add 3 to 5.

 

[RangerNation]

It is a good plan.

But, A) at least not for another couple years please! And B) hope it’s a better transition than DeBoer to Spott.

It was my understanding that for DeBoer, it was Head Coach in the NHL or nothing, and that's why he was around for a bit longer. Not sure what Jussi will settle for, but in the meantime, a few OHL championships wouldn't hurt the resume. 2 successful starts to the season don't mean much to NHL teams.

 

[rangersblues]

Top 10 looks at more just points and standings. I’m a Ranger fan but if they go into the first round against the Knights and I have to bet $100 on one of them to win I’m taking the Knights. My heart says Rangers but my brain says Knights. This is why even with a win tomorrow if the Rangers make the top 10 it would just be 9th or 10th. Our top 6 F consist of three 17 year olds and one 18 year old. We have only two 19 year old forwards who are just depth players in Mercer and Grisolia. While are 3rd and 4th line are decent they are no where near the level to try to win a championship. The D is good but again doesn’t have the top end talent of a Bonk or Dickinson (Reid will get there but only 17).

We are not getting by London this year without adding 3 to 5 players and we don’t have those type of assets to add 3 to 5.

Against what the Knights are going to be at playoff time I wouldn't give us much of a chance. Against the rest of our conference as things stand we at least have a punchers chance.

 

[Ward Cornell]

It is a good plan.

But, A) at least not for another couple years please! And B) hope it’s a better transition than DeBoer to Spott.

Trade him if they know he's leaving!!
Ok...jk

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Can we all agree that Jussi Ahokas should be drawing a lot of attention from pro teams?

When you look at the roster and compare it to last years team they have a much worse roster. Yet they are playing at a better rate. Yes their is still plenty of the season to go and things can change but when a team overachieves this much a lot has to do with the coaching.

And having a Memorial Cup on his resume will add to his resume.

 

[EvenSteven]

Top 10 looks at more just points and standings. I’m a Ranger fan but if they go into the first round against the Knights and I have to bet $100 on one of them to win I’m taking the Knights. My heart says Rangers but my brain says Knights. This is why even with a win tomorrow if the Rangers make the top 10 it would just be 9th or 10th. Our top 6 F consist of three 17 year olds and one 18 year old. We have only two 19 year old forwards who are just depth players in Mercer and Grisolia. While are 3rd and 4th line are decent they are no where near the level to try to win a championship. The D is good but again doesn’t have the top end talent of a Bonk or Dickinson (Reid will get there but only 17).

We have to look at this core of young players and built off it. Misa value is rising everyday. Swick has value as there aren’t many forwards like him in the OHL. Ando is a solid shut down vet D. Sell those 3 and get 2 lower level OAs back to fill the voids. Be a middle of the pack team and hopefully win 1 round. Set yourself up for mem cup year. We can’t just keep being happy with doing good. Strive to have a year of greatness (mem cup year).

We are not getting by London this year without adding 3 to 5 players and we don’t have those type of assets to add 3 to 5.

I don’t think anyone is suggesting we go on a run here. Obviously the goal has to be a large return for Andonovski, and fair returns for our OA’s.

As you said, in a perfect world, move those three and let’s see what the remaining young roster can do down the stretch. But can we get fair value for our OA’s?

Sure Swick and Miseljevic have value. But will they be in demand enough for us to get fair market value for each? That remains to be seen. Teams will weigh what we want in return vs their needs and whether either would be that much of an upgrade on what they currently have.

Despite Miseljevic’s scoring pace, we may find that Swick will be in greater demand. Brampton could use size up front. They have an open slot. He’d be a good fit there. But it seems like the Steelheads may choose to wait it out and maybe hope to add their third OA on the cheap? However, the longer Roobroeck performs well in the AHL, the lower the chances he is returned to Oshawa. Swick would be a great option for the Generals if Rooebroeck doesn’t come back. Could we see a bidding war for Swick? Among available OA’s this year, he is unique. Nobody else like him, really.

There aren’t a ton of slots out there for OA’s. If we walk away from the deadline with Swick and/or Miseljevic still Rangers, I think it’ll be because we couldn’t get fair value for them, not that MM is deciding on trying to win rounds this year.

Against what the Knights are going to be at playoff time I wouldn't give us much of a chance. Against the rest of our conference as things stand we at least have a punchers chance.

With the east being the stronger conference this year, we could sell off Ando and at least one OA and still make a little noise in the post season.

 

[Ward Cornell]

With the east being the stronger conference this year, we could sell off Ando and at least one OA and still make a little noise in the post season.

Ando should bring a good return since I think there's a good chance he'll be returned as an O.A..
Of course being a draft pic by Ottawa, if does get returned, he'll request a trade to Brantford.

 

[EvenSteven]

Ando should bring a good return since I think there's a good chance he'll be returned as an O.A..
Of course being a draft pic by Ottawa, if does get returned, he'll request a trade to Brantford.

As I’ve posted earlier, as with Hamara, a trade to Brantford makes all the sense in the world since they control his OA season.

Unlike the Hamara trade, we’ll be in the drivers seat regarding where he goes and the cost. Unless Ando calls his shot.

Brantford should be all too familiar with my Jorian Donovan comparable. Just send us that package (no conditionals) and we should have a deal?

 

[Gondrex]

Last year in mid-December when MM was interviewed, and the Rangers were on top of the standings, he said that he was not aware of any teams that were sellers while they were in first place (mind you the Bulldogs - top in their division - did happen to do it last deadline to a lesser degree).

However, two things different this season:

1. The Knights are charging hard. Arguably only a matter of time until they settle at the top. It's possible that they are even better than last season, and on paper, I think the Rangers are not as talented this year - yes, maybe a bit more physical.

2. MM had made the pre-season Rehkopf trade. He would appear indecisive if he suddenly added pieces to contend - in my mind at least. By the way, thank goodness on the timing ! In hindsight, with guys like Musty and Luchanko potentially available by January (if rumours are true), and the Barlow trade and who knows who else, as a seller theoretically more trade competition is not so good.

If the Rangers hang around the top, I wouldn't be surprised if MM decides to do a soft sell - perhaps
parting with Andonovski only, while keeping the present 1st line intact, which of course includes OA's Swick and Misaljevic. On the other hand, with the unique attributes that Swick has, there may be some competing interest in Swick that may give MM something to seriously consider.....and I am in 100% agreement with Even Steven on this - a "lesser" OA D-man would be the ideal return along with some draft picks.
Face it. If this team would end up facing London in any playoff series, anyone who has been paying any amount of attention the last two years is fully aware of Hunter's very successful tactic of being physical on Ranger D-men in the post-season. Motew is gone now, so some new guy would then likely be considered on the "search and destroy" list !

 

[I Mac 80]

There should be no way that the Rangers are leading 3-1. They were thoroughly outplayed in that period. I’m not complaining but that period is a prime example of why we should sell this season. That is more of the type of pressure we’ll see in the playoffs. Rangers need to figure out how to get out of their own zone quicker and cleaner. I’m sure teams will/are picking up that if you pressure our D we struggle more often than not getting the puck out. London has done that to us the past two playoffs and we’ve won a whopping total of one game.

 

[Straightshot2424]

Cameron, and LaBrash IIRC, are on JrB rosters. When all the forwards are healthy, these two will see minutes at JrB, though I think LaBrash probably deserves to be here exclusively.

Moving one or both OA’s could help. But we may have to take an OA back the way we did Mutter in the Xhekaj deal. But one returning OA should be a D to fill Ando’s spot.

What jrb roster is lebrash on ?

 

[digicamo]

What jrb roster is lebrash on ?

He isn’t on one

 

[EvenSteven]

He isn’t on one

I thought I read on here somewhere at the start of the season that he was on a JrB roster.

 

[All the Answers]

Parekh is so immensely skilled and mentally fragile.

 

[rangersblues]

It's not a strong year period. Romano 1st round? Lol come on man. He isn't even a center. Lol!

Are there any other players you can give your endorsement and give the "Ref Hannah bump" ?

 

[RangerNation]

There should be no way that the Rangers are leading 3-1. They were thoroughly outplayed in that period. I’m not complaining but that period is a prime example of why we should sell this season. That is more of the type of pressure we’ll see in the playoffs. Rangers need to figure out how to get out of their own zone quicker and cleaner. I’m sure teams will/are picking up that if you pressure our D we struggle more often than not getting the puck out. London has done that to us the past two playoffs and we’ve won a whopping total of one game.

Yes but the 2nd period was clean and they frustraed the heck out of Saginaw. Lanes are gone. If Saginaw wants to score, it's going to be dirty goals around the goal.

 

[bobber]

Saggy who? Rangers aren't bad for a rebuild squad.