Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Jives]

I'm unsure what adding a 19 year old does for us in a developmental season

This is the problem. Is this still a development year as we are 1st place and just added what seems to be a good 2nd liner. I’m scared….

 

[RangerNation]

These kind of signings change the calculus a bit. Do some teams that we thought might sell off some pieces just add some signings and try to win a title?

Of the same coin, teams that are buying might land a flyer pick that now dilute the price of players on selling teams. Go out and buy Ando, or happen to land a player for free? The trade market will be different this year.

 

[LostRangers]

I'm unsure what adding a 19 year old does for us in a developmental season

Allows us to make trades for more assets down the road?

 

[Jives]

Allows us to make trades for more assets down the road?

This is the hope. Does MM do that though…I’m not certain.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere49]

FWIW, Pridham was not the name I was told was coming so there might be more

 

[EvenSteven]

Of the same coin, teams that are buying might land a flyer pick that now dilute the price of players on selling teams. Go out and buy Ando, or happen to land a player for free? The trade market will be different this year.

And if Ando’s value goes down because other teams land flyer picks, maybe we hold onto him.

If there is to be a wave of flyer picks landing in the OHL over the next couple of years, it stands to reason flyer picks (yes, plural), will come our way as well.

We currently have quite the group of players we’ve taken flyers on over the last couple drafts. If multiple flyer picks report over the next year or so, trading Ando for a landslide of assets should no longer be necessary.

The flyer additions, depending who they are, could replace the need for major “all in” buying at the deadline the way we did in the 2017-18 and 2022-23 seasons, thus eliminating the need for an incredibly deep draft cupboard.

Instead of trading Ando and the OA’s this year, we trade excess players in younger birth years, for decent return to recoup assets, while staying competitive.

The addition of Pridham gives us a forward corps of 17 forwards. 17. OnlyUpFromHere49 is talking like there may be another addition (he said the name he heard wasn’t Pridham’s). If he’s a F that’s 18. If he’s a D, that’s 9.

Sure a guy like Cameron is splitting time at JrB. But something is going to have to give. Can we see a situation where we deal an 07 or two for value? A bubble 05 to make room? Where we stay competitive today, while at the same time keep our highest end 07 group intact?

 

[Gondrex]

FWIW, Pridham was not the name I was told was coming so there might be more

With yesterday's confirmation that Prack Jidham was coming our way, I then thought you threw us all a curve ball. So I now fully expect that we still see Braydon Smellis !

 

[Ref Hannah]

Of the same coin, teams that are buying might land a flyer pick that now dilute the price of players on selling teams. Go out and buy Ando, or happen to land a player for free? The trade market will be different this year.

Great point....well said!

 

[Ref Hannah]

And if Ando’s value goes down because other teams land flyer picks, maybe we hold onto him.

If there is to be a wave of flyer picks landing in the OHL over the next couple of years, it stands to reason flyer picks (yes, plural), will come our way as well.

We currently have quite the group of players we’ve taken flyers on over the last couple drafts. If multiple flyer picks report over the next year or so, trading Ando for a landslide of assets should no longer be necessary.

The flyer additions, depending who they are, could replace the need for major “all in” buying at the deadline the way we did in the 2017-18 and 2022-23 seasons, thus eliminating the need for an incredibly deep draft cupboard.

Instead of trading Ando and the OA’s this year, we trade excess players in younger birth years, for decent return to recoup assets, while staying competitive.

The addition of Pridham gives us a forward corps of 17 forwards. 17. OnlyUpFromHere49 is talking like there may be another addition (he said the name he heard wasn’t Pridham’s). If he’s a F that’s 18. If he’s a D, that’s 9.

Sure a guy like Cameron is splitting time at JrB. But something is going to have to give. Can we see a situation where we deal an 07 or two for value? A bubble 05 to make room? Where we stay competitive today, while at the same time keep our highest end 07 group intact?

You can't trade the younger kids until they are done with HS. It's baked into their contracts.

We don't have an abundance of talent. We need to drop down and develop the smaller younger kids. This league is going to get talent heavy at the bottom real quick. And then talent starved at the top. This is going to be the best league for 15 to 18 within another season and a half. We are getting wrapped up in the NCAA stuff. Just wait for the new CBA.

 

[Ref Hannah]

You can't trade the younger kids until they are done with HS. It's baked into their contracts.

We don't have an abundance of talent. We need to drop down and develop the smaller younger kids. This league is going to get talent heavy at the bottom real quick. And then talent starved at the top. This is going to be the best league for 15 to 18 within another season and a half. We are getting wrapped up in the NCAA stuff. Just wait for the new CBA.

Things are going to continue to change was all I was getting at. I'd like to see a better development model from Kitchener, rather than a rotating door.

 

[Ref Hannah]

This is the problem. Is this still a development year as we are 1st place and just added what seems to be a good 2nd liner. I’m scared….

He is free. Maybe we trade him. I suspect when you look at his numbers that he gets pushed back a year in NCAA at BU. He isn't that big and his numbers don't warrant any demand. That probably explains the move to OHL. This may even be a political scenario all the way around.

 

[Ward Cornell]

He is free. Maybe we trade him. I suspect when you look at his numbers that he gets pushed back a year in NCAA at BU. He isn't that big and his numbers don't warrant any demand. That probably explains the move to OHL. This may even be a political scenario all the way around.

That's just it, I have him slotted into the 3rd line. Just because these were "flyer picks", it doesnt automatically mean these picks could be better than the existing players.

 

[EvenSteven]

That's just it, I have him slotted into the 3rd line. Just because these were "flyer picks", it doesnt automatically mean these picks could be better than the existing players.

Well, he comes onto a team where he was taken earlier in the NHL draft than any other Ranger. And he’s 19. It stands to reason that he’s probably looked at as a top sixer.

But where does he slot in? I’m not touching the 1st line. He’s a RW as is Lam. Who flips over to LW and should they?

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Pridham bump Lam down to the 3rd line for now. That may be better than playing one of these out of position at LW.

 

[Gondrex]

......It wouldn’t surprise me to see Pridham bump Lam down to the 3rd line for now. That may be better than playing one of these out of position at LW.

May be worth a shot. Might help Ellinas get clicking again.

 

[Jives]

Pridham didn’t come here to play 3rd line. IMO he didn’t come here to get traded either. Coaching draws players. Pridham I believe only signs here if he gets to calls the shots. In his shoes playing on a team with an excellent coach playing top 2 line minutes is more important to him then moving onto a contender and playing 3rd line minutes with not as good of a coach. I can’t see him signing without a guarantee he calls the shots and I think he wants to play for Kitchener the rest of the year.

 

[digicamo]

Pridham didn’t come here to play 3rd line. IMO he didn’t come here to get traded either. Coaching draws players. Pridham I believe only signs here if he gets to calls the shots. In his shoes playing on a team with an excellent coach playing top 2 line minutes is more important to him then moving onto a contender and playing 3rd line minutes with not as good of a coach. I can’t see him signing without a guarantee he calls the shots and I think he wants to play off Kitchener the rest of the year.

Playing for Jussi with the reputation he is building and the history of the Rangers is definitely a selling point for the picks I'm sure MM is trying to recruit right now for sure.

We don't know what Pridham was told. His dad is involved in hockey so I'm sure there was some smart discussions about the potential scenarios when he reports. If he lights it up early and proves to be a stud like his draft pick stock would insinuate, who is to say he says no to a trade to other great organizations that are supposed to be going for it this year like Oshawa or London? It's a win-win for everyone and we probably grab a few decent picks for free

 

[OnlyUpFromHere49]

That's just it, I have him slotted into the 3rd line. Just because these were "flyer picks", it doesnt automatically mean these picks could be better than the existing players.

I see him slotting in with that semi-rotating of late 2LW slot.

He's played his off wing all season with West Kelowna at LW on their top line and I would assume that continues in Kitchener. This making your T6:

Swick-Romano-Misaljevic
Pridham-Ellinas-Lam

 

[Ref Hannah]

Well, he comes onto a team where he was taken earlier in the NHL draft than any other Ranger. And he’s 19. It stands to reason that he’s probably looked at as a top sixer.

But where does he slot in? I’m not touching the 1st line. He’s a RW as is Lam. Who flips over to LW and should they?

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Pridham bump Lam down to the 3rd line for now. That may be better than playing one of these out of position at LW.

And then what do you do with Anstis next week? And Headrick next month?

 

[Ward Cornell]

And then what do you do with Anstis next week? And Headrick next month?

I think with that scenario, that players like Mercer and Bottineau could be starting to see the stands a bit more or included in trades. I know Mercer is great on face offs and on the PK while Bottineau has basically underperformed.
There's approx 7 weeks till trade deadline to settle this.

 

[SFC]

If McKenzie made the Rehkopf trade anticipating the NCAA permitting CHL players and the subsequent talent realignment, I'm impressed. That move was perplexing at the time. I don't buy the theory that you get more for a guy in the offseason than at the deadline in a league where some of the most valuable trade assets (16-year-old first-rounders) are only available at the deadline.

Pretty fun season so far. Definitely stay the course, sell the OAs and Ando and try to be the 07-08 Spitfires IMO.

 

[rangersblues]

Pridham didn’t come here to play 3rd line. IMO he didn’t come here to get traded either. Coaching draws players. Pridham I believe only signs here if he gets to calls the shots. In his shoes playing on a team with an excellent coach playing top 2 line minutes is more important to him then moving onto a contender and playing 3rd line minutes with not as good of a coach. I can’t see him signing without a guarantee he calls the shots and I think he wants to play for Kitchener the rest of the year.

I sincerely hope that Pridham doesn't get to call any shots. That's been one of the biggest problems the organization has had in the past several seasons before Jussi arrived imo. It's been refreshing and rewarding to see players finally earn their ice time and I hope it remains that way.

And then what do you do with Anstis next week? And Headrick next month?

I'd actually love to see Headrick sent to a lower league for the remainder of the season and called up for a few games. I think it would be best for his long term development if that could be worked out.

 

[bobber]

Questions? How did the Rangers end up being the team Pridham chose if that is the case? Secondly are the Rangers management looking at this season with a different point of view than most fans expect?

 

[Ward Cornell]

Questions? How did the Rangers end up being the team Pridham chose if that is the case? Secondly are the Rangers management looking at this season with a different point of view than most fans expect?

Drafted 9th round by the Rangers the same yr as Rehkopf.

 

[Ref Hannah]

I sincerely hope that Pridham doesn't get to call any shots. That's been one of the biggest problems the organization has had in the past several seasons before Jussi arrived imo. It's been refreshing and rewarding to see players finally earn their ice time and I hope it remains that way.


I'd actually love to see Headrick sent to a lower league for the remainder of the season and called up for a few games. I think it would be best for his long term development if that could be worked out.

I love the idea/theory! That's exactly what we should be doing. Developing!! But, I'm not sure about putting a first rounder down. Optics for that aren't good. But I'm not sure it's going to matter from here on out.

 

[Jives]

Pridham was a draft pick of the Rangers. He didn’t choose Kit but Kit held his rights.

Nobody really knows what management will do. I think the Rehkopf trade was a start of a rebuilt and they didn’t think they would be 1st overall 1/4 through the season.

I’m sure there is a mix of fans on what they think the management should do but in the end it’s up to them. This fans still wants to win a round and sell off anyone that is not returning and let the kids get lots of ice time.