Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Ranger77]

Impressive 7-4 win by the Rangers over a very good Saginaw team. Nice to see Missile with a good bounce back game.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I had Rangers at best pulling off a tie in that Sag game especially since it was their 3rd game and Sag was rested. Once again, Jussi and coaches have the team clicking and learning. Nice to see more Rangers contributing. Liking Stark back on forward and Lam is a joy to watch. New adds Grisolia and Chromiak already fitting right in. Missile is finding the net.

Lots more to learn and clean but a much better showing. Once more taking 5 of 6 points.

 

[EvenSteven]

You know, we’re doing pretty good so far this year. I said early on that in this western conference, in what is a rebuilding year, we’d have to try really hard to miss the playoffs. It looks like that may be the case.

I was all about missing the playoffs or barely getting in. And we still might be in that boat. But instead of a lottery pick, or a pick in the top 5 or 6, it wouldn’t be all that bad to finish in the middle of the conference, give someone a rough go in the 1st round, and draft in the middle of the 1st round somewhere. You know, about where we selected Reid and Romano?

 

[Ward Cornell]

You know, we’re doing pretty good so far this year. I said early on that in this western conference, in what is a rebuilding year, we’d have to try really hard to miss the playoffs. It looks like that may be the case.

I was all about missing the playoffs or barely getting in. And we still might be in that boat. But instead of a lottery pick, or a pick in the top 5 or 6, it wouldn’t be all that bad to finish in the middle of the conference, give someone a rough go in the 1st round, and draft in the middle of the 1st round somewhere. You know, about where we selected Reid and Romano?

I do agree about where the Rangers could finish, but I'm still on board on trading Swick and Ando. Unless you have a team that's somewhat projected to make it to the 3rd round then at least do a soft sell...never ever buy to enhance mediocrity. Which has been an issue here for too long.

 

[Gondrex]

......... Unless you have a team that's somewhat projected to make it to the 3rd round then at least do a soft sell...never ever buy to enhance mediocrity. Which has been an issue here for too long.

Recent history summed up in those two sentences. Could not agree more.

 

[LostRangers]

Happy Thanksgiving Ranger Fans!!

 

[EvenSteven]

I do agree about where the Rangers could finish, but I'm still on board on trading Swick and Ando. Unless you have a team that's somewhat projected to make it to the 3rd round then at least do a soft sell...never ever buy to enhance mediocrity. Which has been an issue here for too long.

Agree, 100%. If we are going to make a little noise in the playoffs, by saying that I mean, take a team to six or seven games in the first round. I think we need to do that after having sold off Swick and Andonovski.

Any graduating asset that we can get value for needs to be on the table up to at the deadline

 

[OnlyUpFromHere49]

Seems like Tomas Chrenko is becoming a top prospect for the 2026 draft by the sounds of this. Hopefully he is a Ranger next season!

https://x.com/i/web/status/1845885077730849212

 

[Jives]

Chrenko 2007 is who we would much rather prefer to come over vs Pozebal 2006. If both come great but getting that 2007 over next year would be huge for mem cup year.

 

[EvenSteven]

Chrenko 2007 is who we would much rather prefer to come over vs Pozebal 2006. If both come great but getting that 2007 over next year would be huge for mem cup year.

Hopefully Chrenko reports next year. But make no mistake, Pobezal will also be a valuable piece for this team next year should he report. If this team is to be top shelf in 26–27, it stands the reason that we will be very good next year also. Looking back on the 07-08 season, the last time we hosted, the year prior (Steve Downie year) was a very good team that went deep in the post season. That run went a long way in the development of our 07–08 team.

A deep playoff run next year will only strengthen the development of this team for the following season. Pobezal will hopefully contribute to that.

Next import draft, we should draft an 08 player. Then hopefully, Chrenko and that player will be on the roster in 26–27.

 

[Gondrex]

Hopefully Chrenko reports next year. But make no mistake, Pobezal will also be a valuable piece for this team next year should he report. If this team is to be top shelf in 26–27, it stands the reason that we will be very good next year also. Looking back on the 07-08 season, the last time we hosted, the year prior (Steve Downie year) was a very good team that went deep in the post season. That run went a long way in the development of our 07–08 team.

A deep playoff run next year will only strengthen the development of this team for the following season. Pobezal will hopefully contribute to that.

Next import draft, we should draft an 08 player. Then hopefully, Chrenko and that player will be on the roster in 26–27.

Agreed ES. It appears at this point that scoring potential from next years OA's and 19 year-olds could be missing big time - Ellinas being the exception. So a guy like Pobezal (06) would really help. In fact up front, in order to round out the top 6 I see a need for both of those two to report to go along with Romano, Stark Lam and Ellinas. Without that scenario, well, maybe we get some surprises for the top 6. Arquette would be my best guess. Perhaps Headrick or Anstis (?)
(Edit: missed Cameron, who seems to be having a bit of success at a lower level).

Don't get me wrong. Bottineau and Mercer will likely continue to pitch in, but I don't know if we can expect it at the rate of the above mentioned. I'm really hoping Grisolia, Vermeulen or LaBrash take that next step in the future....which is certainly possible. Would go a long way for next season. In my limited viewing of his play, I think I've seen some positive signs from Grisolia.

But yeah, we really need to start seeing those imports report. Otherwise, we end up spending more (draft pick-wise) to compensate. We may already have to do that for an OA(s) next year. So hopefully there's a glut available like this season to swing the supply / demand picture in our favour.