Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Jives]

Last year the PMB line was our 4th line and a very good 4th compared to other teams. I would like to see them back together as our 3rd line this year. And I agree with Pug….if we get value for Swick then Pug is a perfect OA for this team. He brings it every shift and would set a good example for the young players. Not all leaders wear letters but he plays like a guy trying to push his team to give it a little more.

 

[Jives]

This team has moxy that's for sure. 3rd game of the weekend. Guelph rested and sat out a couple of vets. Rangers....down Arquette but thankfully not Reid... had an ok first, let up a bit in the 2nd, and came on strong in the 3rd....not to mention, kept the puck out of the next on a 6 on 3 at the end. Lots to do yet but heading in the right direction early on.

As for the OA situation, I agree that it would be great to have that cleared up but I don't see it happening any time soon. I'd hate to see Pug (a fan favourite and hardworking pot stirrer) go. Parsons needed........Missile is doing ok..........and Swick should be great....likely great enough for a top team to come looking. It's a conundrum for sure.

First road trip this week..........Flint (Weds) Soo (Sat) and Sag (Sun). It will be a challenge for this young team but hopefully their competitive spirit will continue.

McKenzie was interviewed by Sean and he says he has zero interest in letting the OA decision go on too long as it’s no good for anyone involved and not fair to the OAs. He said 1 week to start but then mention a week or 2 later. I’m guessing it will be sorted by the end of next weekend if not sooner….and I really hope it’s Swick traded for a decent return. We aren’t going for it. We need picks. And we need to give our young players ice time. I love that Reid, Romano and Lam are all PP1. Swick probably takes a spot from Lam I think on PP1.

 

[Krangers08]

With Musty sitting at home waiting for a trade it’s Wild to see Barlow Musty, and Rehkopf all being moved before Christmas.

Ride, Gibson, and Andovoski are likely the big deadline moves for contenders this year.

Bodes will for MM

 

[Gondrex]

With Musty sitting at home waiting for a trade it’s Wild to see Barlow Musty, and Rehkopf all being moved before Christmas.

Ride, Gibson, and Andovoski are likely the big deadline moves for contenders this year.

Bodes will for MM

I didn't see any link in your post. Is a Musty deal actually done, or is it the statement of him sitting out per Marek's social media post...or something else ?

Edit: sorry I see you had edited your message.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Well it seems like the Rangers have filled an import slot with the addition of Jakub Chromiak from Kingston.

 

[leafs4life94]

Frontenacs deal Jakub Chromiak to the Kitchener Rangers - Kingston Frontenacs

Kingston, ON – The Kingston Frontenacs have completed a trade with the Kitchener Rangers acquiring OHL Priority Selections for Jakub Chromiak. Kingston Receives: 2027 8th Round – (KIT) – cond 2028 7th Round – (KIT) Kitchener Receives: Jakub Chromiak – D 2026 8th Round – (SSM) The Frontenacs...

chl.ca

 

[GeoBlue]

Frontenacs deal Jakub Chromiak to the Kitchener Rangers - Kingston Frontenacs

Kingston, ON – The Kingston Frontenacs have completed a trade with the Kitchener Rangers acquiring OHL Priority Selections for Jakub Chromiak. Kingston Receives: 2027 8th Round – (KIT) – cond 2028 7th Round – (KIT) Kitchener Receives: Jakub Chromiak – D 2026 8th Round – (SSM) The Frontenacs...

chl.ca

I didn't see this coming? I guess we are not expecting many imports reporting this year. Maybe still one spot open for Sale?

 

[EvenSteven]

I wondered a few days ago on here about whether it would make sense to acquire an import on the very cheap. There were teams that had to get down to two imports quickly.

Now my question again: To bring Chromiak here, did we have to release the rights one of our current non-report imports that we hold the rights to?

What this trade means for me, is that it gives us a vet on the blue line. That will make an Andonovski trade that much easier to take.

 

[Offside by a mile]

McKenzie was interviewed by Sean and he says he has zero interest in letting the OA decision go on too long as it’s no good for anyone involved and not fair to the OAs. He said 1 week to start but then mention a week or 2 later. I’m guessing it will be sorted by the end of next weekend if not sooner….and I really hope it’s Swick traded for a decent return. We aren’t going for it. We need picks. And we need to give our young players ice time. I love that Reid, Romano and Lam are all PP1. Swick probably takes a spot from Lam I think on PP1.

I'd see Swick likely taking Ellinas spot as the net front guy. You don't need 2 of those on 1 unit. I would not remove Lam he is the most creative ( yes the odd bone head move happens and you'll get some bad turnovers but he will also create a lot of goals)

For what it's worth i'd trade Swick and keep unit 1 the same.

 

[Offside by a mile]

I wondered a few days ago on here about whether it would make sense to acquire an import on the very cheap. There were teams that had to get down to two imports quickly.

Now my question again: To bring Chromiak here, did we have to release the rights one of our current non-report imports that we hold the rights to?

What this trade means for me, is that it gives us a vet on the blue line. That will make an Andonovski trade that much easier to take.

Couldn't agree more. Nice add by MM. Bilecki and Schnieder- Macneil at a lesser extent are not ready to play 55 plus games a year. IMO. a nice rotation would be perfect.

 

[EvenSteven]

Couldn't agree more. Nice add by MM. Bilecki and Schnieder- Macneil at a lesser extent are not ready to play 55 plus games a year. IMO. a nice rotation would be perfect.

Anyone have any idea what the conditions are on the 8th?

Games played?

 

[OnlyUpFromHere49]

Anyone have any idea what the conditions are on the 8th?

Games played?

Yeah that’s basically what the condition is in a nutshell.

New pairings now?

My guess:

Ando-Dirracolo
Reid-Chromiak
Bilecki-Campbell/MacNeil
Schneider

 

[EvenSteven]

With Chromiak on board, could we see an Andonovski trade sooner than later?

Wait til January? It would be a reach to expect an 08 1st for him at the deadline.

It would make sense to maximize return by doing a deal the way we did Rehkopf.

 

[Petes1987]

With Chromiak on board, could we see an Andonovski trade sooner than later?

Wait til January? It would be a reach to expect an 08 1st for him at the deadline.

It would make sense to maximize return by doing a deal the way we did Rehkopf.

This season is a bit different than previous season in that many of the contending teams do not have an abundance of 2nds and 3rds. Oshawa, Erie, and Barrie only have two, 2nds and two, 3rds each left to trade. Flint and London have more but don’t have a really deep draft cupboard particularly 2nds (Flint does have eight, 3rds) and only Brampton and Kingston have a lot of excess draft picks to trade. Because of this I think there will be more 2007 and 2008 born players traded at the trade deadline so there is a chance Kitchener could get a 2008 for Matthew Andonovski.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere49]

With Chromiak on board, could we see an Andonovski trade sooner than later?

Wait til January? It would be a reach to expect an 08 1st for him at the deadline.

It would make sense to maximize return by doing a deal the way we did Rehkopf.

This season is a bit different than previous season in that many of the contending teams do not have an abundance of 2nds and 3rds. Oshawa, Erie, and Barrie only have two, 2nds and two, 3rds each left to trade. Flint and London have more but don’t have a really deep draft cupboard particularly 2nds (Flint does have eight, 3rds) and only Brampton and Kingston have a lot of excess draft picks to trade. Because of this I think there will be more 2007 and 2008 born players traded at the trade deadline so there is a chance Kitchener could get a 2008 for Matthew Andonovski.

I think waiting until January would be a fine decision.

With a lack of high end talent available with them moving early, I feel like that would help that case of getting an '08 back with the bidding wars that may begin for what could be the top shutdown D available to those looking to add.

 

[Jives]

Just a complete guess but Ando to Brantford for 2008 Aiden O’Donnell is a starting point for Ando. If Brantford is serious about contending they could use help on D. They got a solid 6 forwards but I think their D is a little thin.

I also only see 2 OAs on their roster. Maybe a Swick trade?

 

[Offside by a mile]

Maybe it's me but I think Ando is having to do too much right now for this young Rangers D-core. Particularly when it comes to generating some offense. I don't remember him turning the puck over as much as I have seen to start this season. If it were me, similarly to Rehkopf I don't risk an injury and I make the move sooner rather than later. He’s currently values as a Top 3 shut down D-Man in the league, how could his value get any better?



In other news Arquett's X-ray came back negative so that's good news. Bad sprain. Out 3-4 weeks is what I heard.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Maybe it's me but I think Ando is having to do too much right now for this young Rangers D-core. Particularly when it comes to generating some offense. I don't remember him turning the puck over as much as I have seen to start this season. If it were me, similarly to Rehkopf I don't risk an injury and I make the move sooner rather than later. He’s currently values as a Top 3 shut down D-Man in the league, how could his value get any better?



In other news Arquett's X-ray came back negative so that's good news. Bad sprain. Out 3-4 weeks is what I heard.

Well hopefully another 05 D will help settle him down into a true shutdown roll without having to worry about doing way to much.

 

[rangersblues]

Maybe the market has changed significantly but I don't see an Ando type player bringing an 08. That's something MM will have to evaluate if it's worth waiting for the 08 timeframe.

 

[Jives]

Ando
Max
Reid
Chromiak

We aren’t going to win a championship or anything but I’d think that’s middle of the pack OHL top 4D. But….id still trade Ando now UNLESS we have a hand shake deal done for a 2008 1st round pick in January.

 

[Offside by a mile]

Ando
Max
Reid
Chromiak

We aren’t going to win a championship or anything but I’d think that’s middle of the pack OHL top 4D. But….id still trade Ando now UNLESS we have a hand shake deal done for a 2008 1st round pick in January.

I agree, I would hold off under that circumstance. Otherwise he's out the door as soon as a team meets my ask.

 

[EvenSteven]

Maybe the market has changed significantly but I don't see an Ando type player bringing an 08. That's something MM will have to evaluate if it's worth waiting for the 08 timeframe.

Anything can happen come the deadline but of the likely good teams:

Barrie: 5th overall Parker Vaughan, usually top 5 picks don't get traded.

London: Logan Hawery told every other team he was going NCAA so he'd fall to London, unlikely he accepts a trade 6 months later.

Oshawa: told Brady Smith (who was mulling NCAA offers) that he wouldn't be traded. His family moved to Oshawa and his younger brother is playing 15U Whitby AAA now.

Brampton: already traded Valentini.

Kingston: didn't get Malhotra.

Brantford: O'Donnell could be traded. From Nova Scotia so don't know much about him.

So of the top 6 teams, only 1 is likely shopping it's 1st rounder? Doesn't look like it's shaping up to be a sellers market, which is also likely why Betuccci, Rehkopf, etc. are being sold before the year starts to maximize the pick return

This post is from the OHL trade thread. It does make a lot of sense. This leaves me to believe with what may be available at the deadline in the way of players that will be put on the market, getting a first round pick for Andonovski might be a reach.

You may be able to add Flint and Erie to the list of teams who may put their 1st on the market if they see themselves as an all in team. Maybe.

As was said, unless there’s a handshake deal for a 1st in place already, we may be best moving him earlier to maximize return.

 

[MJ5]

This post is from the OHL trade thread. It does make a lot of sense. This leaves me to believe with what may be available at the deadline in the way of players that will be put on the market, getting a first round pick for Andonovski might be a reach.

You may be able to add Flint and Erie to the list of teams who may put their 1st on the market if they see themselves as an all in team. Maybe.

As was said, unless there’s a handshake deal for a 1st in place already, we may be best moving him earlier to maximize return.

I do think Flint will trade their 1st round pick at the deadline, but I think its for a 1C.

 

[Ref Hannah]

Wouldn't a 1st rounder have to be in a pretty bad spot to agree to a trade? Whom would that be at this point in their first season? No trade clauses are baked into the boiler plate contracts. Interesting to consider though.

 

[Ref Hannah]

Even Steven-
Any more about Xu? Lots of news coming this week regarding NCAA!