Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[LostRangers]

Listened a bit to the game on the Erie broadcast, both announcers thought that it was a margainal call. I wasn't listening for the Labrash major.

Listened as well, thought it was hilarious to listen to those two know nothings say they didn’t see enough to warrant a 5, and then as Bottineau is skating off the ice they did a total 180 and said there was no way it should NOT be a 5.
Make up your mind boys.

Because both of their head checks had our trainer on the ice and our guys stayed down for a good 2 mins.

But if there was no direct contact to the head, those soccer tactics should not be rewarded.

 

[Tim Wallach]

Bottineau’s was very tame, not malicious at all. Standard stock finishing a hit. The issue was he was looking away at the puck and didn’t realize Holomego’s head was bent forward, so bad result. Minor penalty all day if you ask me.

Labrash’s was worse only because he saw Henry was in a bad position and still completed the hit. Again though, not malicious and not much force. Just when you’re that big, you almost need to hold off there.

At the end of the day though, Kitchener was small and got badly pushed around last year. What’s working now is they have bigger bodies who finish every hit. So you take the odd penalty to get the benefit of that. Don’t like seeing head contact but neither of these were remotely vicious.

 

[rangersblues]

we don't, they need to sell and stay the course

Both can be true - they're good and selling off.

 

[Guy In Burlington]

Listened as well, thought it was hilarious to listen to those two know nothings say they didn’t see enough to warrant a 5, and then as Bottineau is skating off the ice they did a total 180 and said there was no way it should NOT be a 5.
Make up your mind boys.


But if there was no direct contact to the head, those soccer tactics should not be rewarded.

The Erie broadcasters seem like nice guys who love the team, but can be exhausting to listen to. Always - and I mean always - talking. Almost literally zero dead air.

 

[TheBlueMonster]

I think some on here took my post asking when the conversation about the rangers actually being a good team starts, as me endorsing a buy or something.

I am just saying, early on they are much better then most of us thought. A long season. 68 games is a lot but what they're doing right now and the contributions up and down the line up is impressive.

Swick's value is rising. Unsure how to value Ando but he's the type of Dman you want in the playoffs.

Side note:

Adam Zidlicky with a 5 point game early in the 3rd for Brampton.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

I am just saying, early on they are much better then most of us thought. A long season. 68 games is a lot but what they're doing right now and the contributions up and down the line up is impressive.

Swick's value is rising. Unsure how to value Ando but he's the type of Dman you want in the playoff

Also, Missile is an OA, right? His value is gonna be something for a team that needs depth scoring. Perfect 2nd line scorer for a team w championship hopes. Guy has another gear this year.

Parsons for a team w shaky goalie or BUG situation (cough, Erie). I know the hope there is Musty, but...

 

[I Mac 80]

It’s great to be banking points early in the season while we can as it gives the group a better chance at getting into the playoffs for the experience. But if MM suddenly becomes a buyer we should all march to the office with torches and pitchforks and protest against it. Stay the course and do a fairly hard sell off. We do that this year it has the potential to set us up to be extremely competitive over the course of a few seasons and not just one or two. Especially if our current coaching staff stays intact for a few more seasons. I want nothing to do with our GM trying to trade into contention. If a player won’t be here next season I say trade then for picks and maybe a young player or two if possible but mostly picks as our cupboard is still somewhat depleted.

 

[Oggie Ogoltorp]

Agreed - best case is some good playoff experience. Play the kids there are some excellent young guys there. I think Mackenzie will resist the temptation to buy. Kitch should be excellent in a year or 2. They have to be more than happy how the season is going so far. They definitely have exceeded my expectations so far.

 

[All the Answers]

With the landscape as is now, if we can get into the 4-5 slot the possibility exists to win a round or at least make it interesting even without Swick and Ando. I genuinely hope we do not shoot for higher than this, as that shot will likely end up in our foot.

 

[MVarley]

2 games for Labrash, Bottineau and Ty Henry

 

[Matttheleaf]

I agree. If you can get that 4th spot and be competitive in the first round and maybe even the second round while selling off Ando and Swick that should be the goal. I don't know the situation with Sale but if he comes back and there isn't really a market for him then it will make the loss of Swick even easier and allow them to stay semi competitive until the end of the year and into the playoffs.

 

[Matttheleaf]

2 games for Labrash, Bottineau and Ty Henry

So what will the forward lines look like with Botts and Labrash suspended and our numerous injuries?