Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[frontsfan67]

To your point...even an injury would tip the scales in our favor!

Unless it is swick

 

[EvenSteven]

Really hope we start to see more from Mercer moving forward. Now that the OA situation is dealt with the pressure on some of these bubble players is on to start finding a role.

Once Andonovski is traded, our 05 group will be hurting. If this team is to be a top contender / elite team in 26–27, our 07’s and 08’s will have developed to the point where next season should be a strong season as well (top four in the conference). That being the case, it would be nice if we could put together three decent OA’s for next year. Mercer has a long way to go before he can be considered a solid OA in a year where should go at least couple rounds deep in the playoffs. After his rookie year, I had him pegged as a Scott Timmins type player. His development seems to have stagnated.

This is where Olivier Savard is missed. He’d have been a good OA D option next year and would have mitigated the pain of moving Andonovski this year.

 

[K2]

If this team is to be a top contender / elite team in 26–27, our 07’s and 08’s will have developed to the point where next season should be a strong season as well (top four in the conference). That being the case, it would be nice if we could put together three decent OA’s for next year

It seems probable that we will use the 'gap' to add an OA goalie as we have so often done (Teichmann, Paterson, Culina, ADB, Constantini ... VanBuskirk, etc) or a stud 19YO (Ingham, etc) following our regular MO for years. Such a move surely underpins our chance of near-term success, if we're developing nicely the next couple years, given the age of current G prospects.

 

[EvenSteven]

It seems probable that we will use the 'gap' to add an OA goalie as we have so often done (Teichmann, Paterson, Culina, ADB, Constantini ... VanBuskirk, etc) or a stud 19YO (Ingham, etc) following our regular MO for years. Such a move surely underpins our chance of near-term success, if we're developing nicely the next couple years, given the age of current G prospects.

As far as the goaltending goes, I would’ve hoped that Edwards would’ve been our number one next year at 18 years old. A tandem of Edwards/Schaubel with Edwards being the number one would eliminate the need for the addition of a veteran, if/when next year is a contention year.

The year before we hosted in 08, we had a team that was high end. We made it to the third round against Plymouth where the consensus was that Kitchener vs Plymouth was the de facto OHL championship series. If our 07 and 08 groups develop as planned, that is where we could see ourselves next year.

The way our draft cupboard looks now, I don’t think we can burn assets to bring in graduating help for next season. That’s the difference between next year and the 06–07 season. DeBoer was able to make additions to that season’s team in the way of quality vets. I’m not so sure MM will have the assets to be able to make those types of additions and keep a full draft cupboard available for the following year.

All the more reason to do what we can to trade our graduating assets this year to further fill the draft pick cupboard. As much as it would be nice to keep a guy like Swick here for the duration for what he could bring to the team in leadership, etc., we need to look at the big picture for the next two seasons. I’d much rather deal him for what we can get if it means taking that return and flipping it for a comparable OA for next year’s team.

 

[Buttsy]

It’s a bit of a balancing act when rebuilding. You want to capitalize on your useful assets but you don’t want to gut the team either. I think so far the plan is working and with your coach he will keep an under skilled team wining enough so it doesn’t let bad habits creep in. Patience is all that is needed at this point and it’s tough in a city like Kitchener who have seen a lot of good hockey over the years. It’s sort of like London can you imagine the suicide rate if the Knights were to finish even 500 for a season, LOL

 

[K2]

As far as the goaltending goes, I would’ve hoped that Edwards would’ve been our number one next year at 18 years old. A tandem of Edwards/Schaubel with Edwards being the number one would eliminate the need for the addition of a veteran, if/when next year is a contention year

My hope too but we seemed to quickly move away from leading candidate Edwards this year after he had a good 2023-24 in the GO and showed well at camps. DeFelice too, the year before despite being a standout in camp(s) before a bad 5min/OT in preseason (against Malboeuf) after which we acquired Malboeuf while demoting Edwards and DeFelice, who later had a couple starts in the GO, then stepped away from the game? Edwards didn't have a good 1st outing for Komoka and may end up fighting to stick there. Our track record with rookie goalies isn't great though we're far from unique in that respect and it's arguably similar odds to win the 50/50 as develop an OHL goalie that successfully plays 4 full seasons

Schaubel looks better than Edwards/DeFelice against OHL speed pucks so far but we'll need to manage his starts exceptionally well given his age and stature to give him the best chance at developing into a solid OHL goalie IMO.

Unless we somehow flip Parsons to a contender for picks and a strong G prospect I suspect we'll be looking to add a VanBuskirk/Culina/ADB/Malboeuf type G on the cheap next year as our starter or at least to support our favourite young prospect(s) should they show promise or go all-in on a proven OA following the Costantini/Simpson trend if/when we're ever back on the cusp of greatness should our own pipeline not yield a championship tender.

 

[rangersblues]

Not sure if Edwards is injured or other, but so far this season he has appeared in one game out of 8 for Kokomo playing 45 minutes. He allowed 5 goals on 29 shots.

I'm starting to wonder if he ever gets to the OHL. Are the Siskins and Georgetown Raiders still our affiliates? If they are we sure don't use them effectively for developing players.

 

[EvenSteven]

Unless we somehow flip Parsons to a contender for picks and a strong G prospect I suspect we'll be looking to add a VanBuskirk/Culina/ADB/Malboeuf type G on the cheap next year as our starter or at least to support our favourite young prospect(s) should they show promise or go all-in on a proven OA following the Costantini/Simpson trend if/when we're ever back on the cusp of greatness should our own pipeline not yield a championship tender.

Maybe what we do as a plan for our goaltending going forward is to draft a goalie as we do now with the hope that they develop into a bona fide starter, knowing it’s not the end of the world if they don’t develop because we can always go into the pool and trade for an OA on the very cheap.

When goalies like Simpson and Constantini can be picked up on the very cheap in their OA years, goaltending should never be an issue.

Or is that already the plan!

 

[rangersblues]

Maybe what we do as a plan for our goaltending going forward is to draft a goalie as we do now with the hope that they develop into a bona fide starter, knowing it’s not the end of the world if they don’t develop because we can always go into the pool and trade for an OA on the very cheap.

When goalies like Simpson and Constantini can be picked up on the very cheap in their OA years, goaltending should never be an issue.

Or is that already the plan!

I've said for a while that I'd never use a high draft pick on a 15 year old goalie. They're too unpredictable and hope they develop. Draft a couple in the later rounds and let them develop. Scout the GOJHL for 16 and 17 year old goalies. If that's not successful, trade for one like you said.

 

[EvenSteven]

I've said for a while that I'd never use a high draft pick on a 15 year old goalie. They're too unpredictable and hope they develop. Draft a couple in the later rounds and let them develop. Scout the GOJHL for 16 and 17 year old goalies. If that's not successful, trade for one like you said.

Going into next year‘s playoffs, who is going to have the upper hand in net? Team A: Brantford, who payed a king’s ransom for Leenders? Or Team B: another contending team who traded for a successful overage goalie, with playoff experience, on the cheap?

Once you factor in cost, and what team B are able to do with assets saved by not paying a steep price for their starter, the answer might be obvious.

We haven’t had much luck drafting goalies early in the draft. Mike Torchia is likely the last time we hit on a goalie that we used an early pick on. (2nd round).

 

[Ref Hannah]

I've said for a while that I'd never use a high draft pick on a 15 year old goalie. They're too unpredictable and hope they develop. Draft a couple in the later rounds and let them develop. Scout the GOJHL for 16 and 17 year old goalies. If that's not successful, trade for one like you said.

At this point....I'm planning on having serious conversations with USHL backup goaltenders and potential OAs in 2025. Next year is a brand new ballgame.

At this point....I'm planning on having serious conversations with USHL backup goaltenders and potential OAs in 2025. Next year is a brand new ballgame.

The draft is going to look very different. And don't count out late round kids that we already own the rights to.

 

[Krangers08]

Ryder Roberson has signed with Elmira. Had 3 points and 17 PIM in 5 games as a call up.
I’ve seen him place twice and was one of the most noticeable players. Bottom 6 energy type player.

 

[OnlyUpFromHere49]

Need the coaching staff to mention to Misaljevic that just because the OA situation is figured out he can still keep the foot on the gas.

Primary assist on both Soo goals tonight

 

[Rangers2022]

Need the coaching staff to mention to Misaljevic that just because the OA situation is figured out he can still keep the foot on the gas.

Primary assist on both Soo goals tonight

Wow just terrible give aways by Missile on the two Soo goals. Just throwing the puck back by the D zone. I would have benched him for awhile.

 

[EvenSteven]

Chromiak gets high sticked at the end of the period. They review the play to see if it was a penalty. They determined that he was highsticked but only gave the Soo player two minutes.

I don’t understand only two minutes when Chromiak is bleeding all over the place.

 

[Krangers08]

Nice to see Stark get rewarded.
* Sale was scratched in coachella’s opening night game.

 

[rangersblues]

That was a game that got away. Too many bad giveaways by veteran players. Our 07s are playing even better than I expected early.

 

[Gondrex]

Good to see some scoring from lines 2 and 3.

At this early point in the season, I find it a bit disturbing to have that sense of relief when I see the opposing team's penalty door swing open and bring things back to 5 on 5..

 

[Ranger77]

All the more reason to do what we can to trade our graduating assets this year to further fill the draft pick cupboard. As much as it would be nice to keep a guy like Swick here for the duration for what he could bring to the team in leadership, etc., we need to look at the big picture for the next two seasons. I’d much rather deal him for what we can get if it means taking that return and flipping it for a comparable OA for next year’s team.

What's the minimum return that Rangers could accept in a deal for Swick? You don't want to just give him away for the sake of dealing him either.

 

[EvenSteven]

What's the minimum return that Rangers could accept in a deal for Swick? You don't want to just give him away for the sake of dealing him either.

Swick was a 25 goal, point a game player last year. He’s a heavy hitter and high end net front option. He’s not a soft player so his lower PIM totals means he’s not taking ill advised penalties. I think at worst he matches last year’s output but it’s more likely he’s a 35G, 75-80 point player this year. That’s pretty good as an OA.

As far as return goes, it may be a reach expecting the Arbor Xhekaj return (2x2nds, 2x3rds, 4th*, Mutter). But this being a year where it looks like it may be tough getting value for OA’s, and being he’s a LW, maybe the Sam Mayer / Jax Dubois return is more realistic, (2nd, 3rd, 5th) or Roman Schmidt return (2nd, 3rd).

If I’m MM, I’m aiming for a return somewhere between the Xhekaj return and the Mayer/Dubois return.

Worst case we move him for the Schmidt return or the Joe Garreffa return (3x3rds)? As I said in an earlier post, if at worst we took the assets we get for Swick and flip them next year for a comparable OA, I think it’s mission accomplished.

If this gets down to the brass tacks right up to the deadline’s eleventh hour, and some team comes calling offering the Caleb Lawrence return (8th), I’m not trading him.

He’ll graduate a Ranger.

 

[Squirrel88]

Maybe someone should take a screenshot of the standings to memorialize the midwest leading Kitchener Rangers. Along with the -12 GF/GA. Kit trying the Peterborough thing from last year where you have a winning team with a negative goal differential. Did not end well for PET.

For the next year OA thing - not a lot of players graduating from this team. The OAs, Chromiak, Ando and maybe Grisiola. Add an '08 or two (maybe Valentini and Gaitens), maybe Chrenko and a couple rookies, and there aren't a lot of minutes to go around.

 

[Oggie Ogoltorp]

Kitch had an excellent 07 Draft. Maybe the best overall. Reid is one of the top 07 Ds, Romano one of top 07 F's. You hit big time on both of them. Lam great pick where you got him and many had Stark going much higher. Right up and down that draft you have quality kids. If Mooney, Benson or Grimes end up coming with NCAA changes Kitchener has best draft by country mile-no one else even close. If its next year and somehow all 3 come you will compete with top teams that's how good that class would be.
That is the group you build around. No question whatsoever. The best part is that they have all been able to play and develop unlike many of the other top 2 rounds from that draft with the odd exceptions who get minimal minutes/development - many getting scratched or playing on 4th lines bc the coaches are all about winning now for the most part.
Forget the 06's continue to play the kids there. When the 07's are 19 you find 3 excellent OA's, your 08's and quality, tough character kids and I guarantee you go on a lengthy run. Stay the course and Kitchener will be a powerhouse in 2 seasons and their best players will have a boatload of experience by then. Other top 07's will want to join at the deadline.

 

[EvenSteven]

Kitch had an excellent 07 Draft. Maybe the best overall. Reid is one of the top 07 Ds, Romano one of top 07 F's. You hit big time on both of them. Lam great pick where you got him and many had Stark going much higher. Right up and down that draft you have quality kids. If Mooney, Benson or Grimes end up coming with NCAA changes Kitchener has best draft by country mile-no one else even close. If its next year and somehow all 3 come you will compete with top teams that's how good that class would be.
That is the group you build around. No question whatsoever. The best part is that they have all been able to play and develop unlike many of the other top 2 rounds from that draft with the odd exceptions who get minimal minutes/development - many getting scratched or playing on 4th lines bc the coaches are all about winning now for the most part.
Forget the 06's continue to play the kids there. When the 07's are 19 you find 3 excellent OA's, your 08's and quality, tough character kids and I guarantee you go on a lengthy run. Stay the course and Kitchener will be a powerhouse in 2 seasons and their best players will have a boatload of experience by then. Other top 07's will want to join at the deadline.

Mooney, Benson and Grimes are all scheduled to start their NCAA seasons in 26-27. If they did jump ship to come here this year or next because of the new NCAA/CHL rule, you would expect them to leave here to start their NCAA seasons in 26-27.

Of course, by then they would/should be NHL drafted, and there is always some possibility they could be convinced to play here another year - their 19 year-old season. If pro is the ambition, and these guys are drafted high enough, they may decide to forgo the NCAA altogether and go from a 19 year old season here directly into the AHL at worst.