Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Kitchna]

Personally I think Seattle would want a deal in place before sending him back if they want him back in junior.
feels more likely that he’s traded before he plays another game here.

Not sure why that would matter for them. I dont believe they would care whether he is on a winning team. They just need him to get minutes. Would be good to get him in a leadership role as well. . He blossomed in the playoffs in Kitchener. Did not happen for him in Barrie. A trade may not be what is best for his development is all. That said, I think they could read the tea leaves and see there is a good chance he will be dealt by the deadline although given the fact he is an import and would be a rental, it may not be easy or value. (I am pretty new to following junior hockey but this would be my thinking if I were running the Kraken.)

 

[Krangers08]

2 goals for Sop in his AHL preseason debut

 

[Buttsy]

I hope that MM has already handed Jussi a juicy offer to sweeten his 2 year mutual extension option

Super solid resume and should be an excellent coach. I am somewhat curious to see if the “Finnish” game that they preach can translate at the OHL level? This much I know he has to be given a team that he can mould to follow the plan. So far of course he hasn’t really had that but this year should be the start of his judgement days. Good Luck this year guys all about development and maximizing what pieces MM can move. The first trade off of the big man Rehkopf (sp?) was I think a solid return.

 

[robertmac43]

2 goals for Sop in his AHL preseason debut

I got a feeling this kid will see some NHL ice. Maybe a couple years out but he just seems to keep growing year over year.

 

[Matttheleaf]

I guess that Barlow has been traded now we can compare the haul to that of Rehkopf. On the surface they look similar with the Rangers getting more picks, but the Attack getting 2 players, 1 being and 06 and the other being an 07.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere49]

I guess that Barlow has been traded now we can compare the haul to that of Rehkopf. On the surface they look similar with the Rangers getting more picks, but the Attack getting 2 players, 1 being and 06 and the other being an 07.

I'd take all the Rehkopf picks vs. the two players OS got personally

 

[Matttheleaf]

I'd take all the Rehkopf picks vs. the two players OS got personally

I'm leaning the same way, Both of them don't have great stats but obviously that could change, especially cause the 07 player was a true rookie last year.

 

[rangersblues]

I'd take all the Rehkopf picks vs. the two players OS got personally

For the timeline we are looking at I like our return better.

 

[Krangers08]

Rangers acquired Chris Grisolia for a conditional 2027 15th round pick. Was released by Barrie last week

 

[Kitchna]

Rangers acquired Chris Grisolia for a 2027 15th round pick

A warm body I guess. They are definitely thin this weekend due to injuries/suspensions.

 

[EvenSteven]

Regarding the imports we hold the rights to:

I believe the Rangers still hold the rights to all of Mesar (OA import rule), Sale, Pobezal, Chrenko, and Kos.

If it already hasn’t been, once it’s determined Mesar has graduated (they are reportedly very happy with him in Laval), that list goes down to four. If Sale is returned, I assume a two week window will start where we have to get the protected list down from four imports to three? (Kivijarhu was released when Mesar was returned last year).

I assume that means either move Sale out during the two week window or we’ll have to release one of the other three?

With us rebuilding, would we move Sale or have him remain on the roster going forward? The trade return would be thin based on the circumstances.

The question is, would Sale’s services as a Ranger this year (including his possible trade value at the deadline should he excel this year) or the trade return during the two week window be more valuable to the organization than the rights to one of the three not yet reported imports we hold the rights to?

Also, if Sale isn’t returned any time soon, would it make sense for the Rangers to acquire, on the very cheap, an excess import from another team currently going through this same scenario?

Again the question: Would that import’s services be more valuable to the Rangers this year (Lord knows we are waaay young and could use a little inexpensive veteran depth, even in a rebuilding year), than the rights to one of the not yet reported imports we hold the rights to?

 

[Squirrel88]

Regarding the imports we hold the rights to:

I believe the Rangers still hold the rights to all of Mesar (OA import rule), Sale, Pobezal, Chrenko, and Kos.

If it already hasn’t been, once it’s determined Mesar has graduated (they are reportedly very happy with him in Laval), that list goes down to four. If Sale is returned, I assume a two week window will start where we have to get the protected list down from four imports to three? (Kivijarhu was released when Mesar was returned last year).

I assume that means either move Sale out during the two week window or we’ll have to release one of the other three?

With us rebuilding, would we move Sale or have him remain on the roster going forward? The trade return would be thin based on the circumstances.

The question is, would Sale’s services as a Ranger this year (including his possible trade value at the deadline should he excel this year) or the trade return during the two week window be more valuable to the organization than the rights to one of the three not yet reported imports we hold the rights to?

Also, if Sale isn’t returned any time soon, would it make sense for the Rangers to acquire, on the very cheap, an excess import from another team currently going through this same scenario?

Again the question: Would that import’s services be more valuable to the Rangers this year (Lord knows we are waaay young and could use a little inexpensive veteran depth, even in a rebuilding year), than the rights to one of the not yet reported imports we hold the rights to?

If Sale is returned, I like the option to play him to give space to some of the younger players and hopefully as a bridge to the return of a couple injured players. Then see what you can get at the deadline and make the call at that point with more information. Frankly, if he gets you the 2nd round pick that was part of the deal to get him and Savard (and hopefully a couple other picks) that's a win. Take it and run.

Of the others, unless Pobezal comes this year, really only Chrenko has value since he would be here when they intend to next contend.

One thing that plays into this consideration is cards. Has anyone counted how many A cards are now used? If feels like more than in previous years. This year is starting to get a bit of a 2013/14 vibe to it, where they sign a bunch of players to see what works (Teskey/Soper/JMD and others). At this point, I assume that Cameron, Schauble and Antsis are all on B cards to maintain some flexibility (and given the information provided by OHL4Life). Likely to be revisited post-deadline.

 

[TheBlueMonster]

Sale was awesome in the playoffs but it took a while for him to get going.

Also, I can't imagine the Kraken want him in the AHL full time. It is very weird that as a first round pick he wasn't even invited to main camp.

I would hold onto him if he gets sent back. Let him come back and show everybody why he was a first round NHL pick. Put up some points (Hopefully alot) and then move him at the deadline for more. Or maybe we take back a young import. Oshawa has 2 imports. Could Sale be an upgrade on one of them? I got a strong feeling they're going to be all in on Ando at the deadline so im sure a package could be built.

I'd like to see actual drafted imports start coming back to Kitchener however. If I am not mistaken, Mesar was the last one and he was a 2021 pick. Hopefully moving forward towards 2027 which is our next run I guess, we can start getting 2 quality imports through the draft.