Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Krangers08]

The Lam/Pridham duo will be fun to watch

 

[rangersblues]

I love the idea/theory! That's exactly what we should be doing. Developing!! But, I'm not sure about putting a first rounder down. Optics for that aren't good. But I'm not sure it's going to matter from here on out.

I know London (I hate bringing them up) has been successful doing this at times. I just don't think a first year player starting at the mid point of the season is going to be very productive for his career in the long run. He's not going to get any premium ice time and likely only see spot duty. Most players develop a lot in the first half of the season, especially first year players.

Like I said it would have to be worked out but I think it would be best.

The Lam/Pridham duo will be fun to watch

Could you elaborate?

 

[GeoBlue]

Playing for Jussi with the reputation he is building and the history of the Rangers is definitely a selling point for the picks I'm sure MM is trying to recruit right now for sure.

We don't know what Pridham was told. His dad is involved in hockey so I'm sure there was some smart discussions about the potential scenarios when he reports.

And I recall Juicy spending some time at one of the Maple Leaf camps?

 

[Ref Hannah]

The Lam/Pridham duo will be fun to watch

Duo? Odd verbiage!

 

[Krangers08]

Could you elaborate?

I think he’ll compliment Lam’s vision and skill. plays a fast game with good edges and a solid shot.
I think he’ll fit well in Jussi’s systems
Just my 2 cents

 

[LostRangers]

The OHL scholarship program….is it limited to Canadian schools? If not, could this rule change impact the costs borne by CHL teams? I.e. Pridham plays here for 2 years and then goes to BU and plays on the Ranger’s dime for the first two years. That would be more expensive than if he carried on to school north of the border.
Am I reading too much into this?

 

[digicamo]

The OHL scholarship program….is it limited to Canadian schools? If not, could this rule change impact the costs borne by CHL teams? I.e. Pridham plays here for 2 years and then goes to BU and plays on the Ranger’s dime for the first two years. That would be more expensive than if he carried on to school north of the border.
Am I reading too much into this?

Yes, they can use the scholarship money towards American schools but it's only up to a certain amount as specified in their agreement. TLDR: it wouldn't cost the Rangers anymore money if he goes to BU or Laurier.

Source: Frequently Asked Questions Pertaining to NCAA Player Eligibility Changes - Ontario Hockey League

 

[Ref Hannah]

The OHL scholarship program….is it limited to Canadian schools? If not, could this rule change impact the costs borne by CHL teams? I.e. Pridham plays here for 2 years and then goes to BU and plays on the Ranger’s dime for the first two years. That would be more expensive than if he carried on to school north of the border.
Am I reading too much into this?

I think you are a little. They are based on a players residence. To be equivalent to the closest University.

 

[Ref Hannah]

Since you pointed us in that direction...
How does all of this impact the packages? Does a gold package hold any real value anymore?

 

[Ref Hannah]

.

 

[rangersblues]

I think he’ll compliment Lam’s vision and skill. plays a fast game with good edges and a solid shot.
I think he’ll fit well in Jussi’s systems
Just my 2 cents

Thanks. I have absolutely no idea about Pridham

 

[Ward Cornell]

Scouting report on Jack Pridham via Dobber Prospects.

Jack Pridham

July 2024 - Pridham was selected 92nd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. Mark Henry April 2024 - The headliner for the BCHL, Pridham draws his appeal by being this big, mobile neutral zone menace. He's got great spatial awareness and uses it to forecheck at crucial moments, such as just before...

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July 2024 – Pridham was selected 92nd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. Mark Henry

April 2024 – The headliner for the BCHL, Pridham draws his appeal by being this big, mobile neutral zone menace. He’s got great spatial awareness and uses it to forecheck at crucial moments, such as just before an opposing defender can create a breakout pass, so he can turn it the other way. Combine this opportunistic style with some good finishing and you have Pridham. He doesn’t have the best hands or passing yet and is more of a skate and shoot type of guy as a result, but his willingness to play a 200-ft game gives a bit of balance to his stock. If he can develop a more multi-dimensional offensive game then there’s some good grounds to believe in his NHL upside.

 

[Ref Hannah]

I'm going to go back in the penalty box after this....
There is a reason Pridham is in the BCHL and not in the USHL. He just isn't good enough. His scouting report(s) tell you that. Regardless of round and dad! Sorry the draft is a bit of a DNA hunt and political monster. Buyer beware.

 

[rangersblues]

I'm going to go back in the penalty box after this....
There is a reason Pridham is in the BCHL and not in the USHL. He just isn't good enough. His scouting report(s) tell you that. Regardless of round and dad! Sorry the draft is a bit of a DNA hunt and political monster. Buyer beware.

I'm personally a bit skeptical too. Like I said before as long as no back room promises were made.

 

[the dog]

So when does Adam Valentini join rangers

 

[Jives]

I'm going to go back in the penalty box after this....
There is a reason Pridham is in the BCHL and not in the USHL. He just isn't good enough. His scouting report(s) tell you that. Regardless of round and dad! Sorry the draft is a bit of a DNA hunt and political monster. Buyer beware.

So Kent Johnson wasn’t good enough for the USHL either? Maybe the player just picked to stay in Canada and play. If you have a full ride at BU you are good enough to play in the USHL VERY easily.

 

[Ref Hannah]

So Kent Johnson wasn’t good enough for the USHL either? Maybe the player just picked to stay in Canada and play. If you have a full ride at BU you are good enough to play in the USHL VERY easily.

Easy now! Who said anything about a full ride? Verbal commitments dont mean anything. Signing day is coming December 1st. Lets see what young Pridham signs. Hes going to BU next fall right? I'm sure he chose to move across the continent after burning it up in the CAHS?
"He doesn’t have the best hands or passing yet and is more of a skate and shoot type of guy as a result, but his willingness to play a 200-ft game gives a bit of balance to his stock. If he can develop a more multi-dimensional offensive game then there’s some good grounds to believe "
Couple of believers on here! Wow!

 

[Matttheleaf]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1856495588151296008

I know this is new territory so this probably hasn't really happened before but it is very strange to see the OHL posting about a prospect that isn't playing in the league and had no intentions to before the new deal was made. Hopefully it is a sign of good things to come with Adam Valentini.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I feel like only on this board can we get a free, NHL drafted player, and the majority of the conversation is concern about how much say he will have and what it will do to development and our current plan. If anything, it just makes a Swick trade more palletable. There's 0 downside imo.

 

[Jives]

I feel like only on this board can we get a free, NHL drafted player, and the majority of the conversation is concern about how much say he will have and what it will do to development and our current plan. If anything, it just makes a Swick trade more palletable. There's 0 downside imo.

That is what 90% are thinking / hoping. What if this just makes MM feel this team is now a player or 2 away from competing? What if now he feels like the team is good enough and therefore holds onto Ando, Swick, Misa and Parsons? Im not saying trade them all but if the offer is too good then yes…trade them all. Eventually winning a round shouldn’t be the goal. Keeping all these players is what will get us a round or 2 this year and also decrease our chances of adding 2 or 3 really good players in mem cup year which might end up in us winning….a round or two.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

That is what 90% are thinking / hoping. What if this just makes MM feel this team is now a player or 2 away from competing? What if now he feels like the team is good enough and therefore holds onto Ando, Swick, Misa and Parsons? Im not saying trade them all but if the offer is too good then yes…trade them all. Eventually winning a round shouldn’t be the goal. Keeping all these players is what will get us a round or 2 this year and also decrease our chances of adding 2 or 3 really good players in mem cup year which might end up in us winning….a round or two.

I guess I'm just not making this many assumptions about MM's calculus based on one free addition. I don't know, it seems premature and unlikely to make a difference in a negative way.

It's too late for him to want to go all in or whatever now, he traded Rehkopf in the summer and that's a piece you can't reasonably replace and would need to do so. You either kept him to wait and see if they were good, or you sold him in the off season to commit to a rebuild.

 

[bobber]

That is what 90% are thinking / hoping. What if this just makes MM feel this team is now a player or 2 away from competing? What if now he feels like the team is good enough and therefore holds onto Ando, Swick, Misa and Parsons? Im not saying trade them all but if the offer is too good then yes…trade them all. Eventually winning a round shouldn’t be the goal. Keeping all these players is what will get us a round or 2 this year and also decrease our chances of adding 2 or 3 really good players in mem cup year which might end up in us winning….a round or two.

MM once said something along the line of using the Knight standard operating procedure of reloading instead of rebuilding. I think when a team has the opportunity to garner a ton of assets when the opportunity is in front of them they should do what is necessary. I am sure the could care less about what I think.

 

[EvenSteven]

That is what 90% are thinking / hoping. What if this just makes MM feel this team is now a player or 2 away from competing? What if now he feels like the team is good enough and therefore holds onto Ando, Swick, Misa and Parsons? Im not saying trade them all but if the offer is too good then yes…trade them all. Eventually winning a round shouldn’t be the goal. Keeping all these players is what will get us a round or 2 this year and also decrease our chances of adding 2 or 3 really good players in mem cup year which might end up in us winning….a round or two.

In this new world (CHL / NCAA) agreement, MM may already have confirmation that a few of our flyers will report either this year or next.

If that is the case, we may not be trading for assets in the 26-27 season the way we did in 2017-18 and 2022-23. Those big trade acquisitions may already be on our team. You aren’t trading for a Valentini comparable if he’s already on your team. Ditto Xu, or any other of the flyers.

So that means your cupboard doesn’t have to be overflowing. But you do acquire picks here and there when you move out excess players who have some upside, because we don’t have room for them.

 

[MVarley]

I feel like only on this board can we get a free, NHL drafted player, and the majority of the conversation is concern about how much say he will have and what it will do to development and our current plan. If anything, it just makes a Swick trade more palletable. There's 0 downside imo.

if we were hoping to trade Swick for Picks, then we now have a free player plus the picks we can get in a trade.....could be a good move if you look at things that way.

 

[Ward Cornell]

In this new world (CHL / NCAA) agreement, MM may already have confirmation that a few of our flyers will report either this year or next.

If that is the case, we may not be trading for assets in the 26-27 season the way we did in 2017-18 and 2022-23. Those big trade acquisitions may already be on our team. You aren’t trading for a Valentini comparable if he’s already on your team. Ditto Xu, or any other of the flyers.

So that means your cupboard doesn’t have to be overflowing. But you do acquire picks here and there when you move out excess players who have some upside, because we don’t have room for them.

The old 8th to 12th round pics are now the new 2nd to 5th round picks.
With MM being a NCAA grad and his dad's contacts I suspect a little bird said something to him.