Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part I

[Krangers08]

Niagara will put together a solid bid.
Would the last one being in the western conference impact Kitchener’s chances?

 

[Matttheleaf]

Niagara will put together a solid bid.
Would the last one being in the western conference impact Kitchener’s chances?

It has been in the west for 3 straight year with the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors being the last eastern team to host it.

And since 1999 it's only been in the east twice in 25 years.

 

[digicamo]

Niagara will put together a solid bid.
Would the last one being in the western conference impact Kitchener’s chances?

Niagara can hardly afford to run their program, trading guys to save on educational costs year after year. They will have a great team but I can’t see their owner ponying up or the league rewarding what’s happened there over the last decade.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

Niagara can hardly afford to run their program, trading guys to save on educational costs year after year. They will have a great team but I can’t see their owner ponying up or the league rewarding what’s happened there over the last decade.

I heard from an Ice Dogs STH that players were expected to brown bag their lunches, dunno if that is true or still true. If so, I can't see how the owner would want to pony up for a Memorial Cup bid

 

[Kitchna]

I heard from an Ice Dogs STH that players were expected to brown bag their lunches, dunno if that is true or still true. If so, I can't see how the owner would want to pony up for a Memorial Cup bid

I would think they could get the cities and region involved. Plenty of hotel space to fill there. I feel like we are lacking in quality hotel space in Kitchener. I am not sure how much of a part that comes into consideration by the CHL although it probably should.

 

[rangersblues]

They might be remembering the last time it came up, as the financial want from the CHL would be hard for a team that is community owned.

Josh Brown wrote about it in 2018

https://www.therecord.com/sports/hockey/rangers/memorial-cup-too-expensive-for-rangers/article_2760e8a8-9a1e-572a-a1a7-cf3f5068bb79.html

I do recall the OHL had a difficult time even soliciting bids for that Memorial Cup because the CHL had lost their minds and were over playing their hands financially. I believe that has been corrected as last season's Memorial Cup bidding was very competitive again.

 

[SFC]

Sorry FP has meandered over here. I apologize on behalf of all London fans.

Well, Rangers and Knights are very close in total championships. London has had more recent success but the trade off was the first few decades were mostly miserable.

I have family in the Waterloo region so hoping to catch a game or two at the Aud this year. Still a great rink with a great fanbase. Kitchener will be laughing the most when these NCAA recruits start showing up.

Enjoy the season. Good luck the rest of the way.

All good, Fergus. Love (most of) you guys and tons of respect for the Hunters' program. I actually cheer for London against the Eastern teams (and Windsor, obviously) and was bummed when Saginaw backdoored the Cup from you guys last year.

The Sim thing was just too funny not to comment on, though.

 

[RangerNation]

I do recall the OHL had a difficult time even soliciting bids for that Memorial Cup because the CHL had lost their minds and were over playing their hands financially. I believe that has been corrected as last season's Memorial Cup bidding was very competitive again.

Yeah I'm not aware of what the bid amounts are now, I just know it was an issue before. I do agree, if Kitchener can't host, nobody can host, but I understand if it's to host at a loss, then it doesn't make financial sense ( I.e Olympics)

 

[All the Answers]

All good, Fergus. Love (most of) you guys and tons of respect for the Hunters' program. I actually cheer for London against the Eastern teams (and Windsor, obviously) and was bummed when Saginaw backdoored the Cup from you guys last year.

The Sim thing was just too funny not to comment on, though.

I've said for a while they've missed the last 3 letters on Sim's jersey -"ple". Not out there making big brained choices.

 

[All the Answers]

Sidenote:

It’s early, but Luca Romano is currently ahead of what Rehkopf’s GPG were in his draft year. Rehkopf had 30. Romano is currently on pace for around 40.

Look out next year!!

Much more complete player, too. Works hard for 200' and adept at creating own chances. Rehkopf is more of an opportunist and more reliant on having a set up man. GAF meter is high in Romano.

 

[Habsrule]

Much more complete player, too. Works hard for 200' and adept at creating own chances. Rehkopf is more of an opportunist and more reliant on having a set up man. GAF meter is high in Romano.

This is why the NHL draft is so hard to predict. I’ll give Romano credit that he has a much higher GAF meter than Rehkopf but he also gives up 3 inches and 30 pounds. Yes he still has time to grow and fill out. Size matters a lot more to scouts than what many people think.

Plus keep in mind that when comparing draft years Romano has Miseljevic, Swick, Lam, Reid, Ellinas, Chromiak around him who are offensive. Romano gets top power play time and is heavily relied upon. Now when it was Rehkopf’s draft year the team had Pinelli, Arcuri, Sop, Mesar, Valade, Brzustewicz, Martin, Zhilkin around him. Those were much better players and less opportunities for Rehkopf that year. That gives a player like Rehkopf less goals / points in their draft year.

 

[EvenSteven]

This is why the NHL draft is so hard to predict. I’ll give Romano credit that he has a much higher GAF meter than Rehkopf but he also gives up 3 inches and 30 pounds. Yes he still has time to grow and fill out. Size matters a lot more to scouts than what many people think.

Plus keep in mind that when comparing draft years Romano has Miseljevic, Swick, Lam, Reid, Ellinas, Chromiak around him who are offensive. Romano gets top power play time and is heavily relied upon. Now when it was Rehkopf’s draft year the team had Pinelli, Arcuri, Sop, Mesar, Valade, Brzustewicz, Martin, Zhilkin around him. Those were much better players and less opportunities for Rehkopf that year. That gives a player like Rehkopf less goals / points in their draft year.

Rehkopf did get considerable PP time in his draft year. Often top unit. That was huge for him.

However, he was shuffled throughout the top nine most of the time. Really never had consistent line mates yet still put up numbers.

 

[bobber]

This is why the NHL draft is so hard to predict. I’ll give Romano credit that he has a much higher GAF meter than Rehkopf but he also gives up 3 inches and 30 pounds. Yes he still has time to grow and fill out. Size matters a lot more to scouts than what many people think.

Plus keep in mind that when comparing draft years Romano has Miseljevic, Swick, Lam, Reid, Ellinas, Chromiak around him who are offensive. Romano gets top power play time and is heavily relied upon. Now when it was Rehkopf’s draft year the team had Pinelli, Arcuri, Sop, Mesar, Valade, Brzustewicz, Martin, Zhilkin around him. Those were much better players and less opportunities for Rehkopf that year. That gives a player like Rehkopf less goals / points in their draft year.

Speaking of size. Presently there is a 16 year old Russian playing Triple A in the US. Alexander Karmanov. 7 ft , 273 pound. He gas garnered the attention of the NHL already. Still room to grow.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

RE: size and scout attention
Simon Wang as a 6'5" D in a lower tier league (OJHL King Rebellion, his mum owns the team lol) is apparently getting 1st Rd looks

https://thehockeynews.com/news/meet-simon-wang-the-ojhl-defenseman-nhl-scouts-are-flocking-to-see

So ya, there is that. You can't teach size.

Rehkopf and Romano: Carson doesn't really play heavy. Carson will use his reach and definitely get angles on shots all over, but Romano seems to play more gritty than Carson, at least to this filthy casual's eyes.

 

[ohloutsider]

Rehkopf did get considerable PP time on his draft year. Often top unit. That was huge for him.

However, he was shuffled throughout the top nine most of the time. Really never had consistent line mates yet still put up numbers.

Romano plays like a winner, takes the bull by the horns and goes for it when a game is on the line. Rehkopf quite often disappears when there is tough sledding. Basically faded away last year after the trade deadline. You guys got a stud with Romano.

 

[EvenSteven]

Speaking of size. Presently there is a 16 year old Russian playing Triple A in the US. Alexander Karmanov. 7 ft , 273 pound. He gas garnered the attention of the NHL already. Still room to grow.

Devereaux Heshmatpour all over again?

 

[All the Answers]

This is why the NHL draft is so hard to predict. I’ll give Romano credit that he has a much higher GAF meter than Rehkopf but he also gives up 3 inches and 30 pounds. Yes he still has time to grow and fill out. Size matters a lot more to scouts than what many people think.

Plus keep in mind that when comparing draft years Romano has Miseljevic, Swick, Lam, Reid, Ellinas, Chromiak around him who are offensive. Romano gets top power play time and is heavily relied upon. Now when it was Rehkopf’s draft year the team had Pinelli, Arcuri, Sop, Mesar, Valade, Brzustewicz, Martin, Zhilkin around him. Those were much better players and less opportunities for Rehkopf that year. That gives a player like Rehkopf less goals / points in their draft year.

Counter argument is Romano sees top opposition and defensive pairings. Rehkopf was more protected.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Brock Otten has released his top 50 OHL players for this upcoming draft and Reid and Romano are both ranked in the top 10.

Preliminary Top 50 for the 2025 NHL Draft

It's time for my first official ranking for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. I say official because I release a preseason ranking in the summer ( w...

ohlprospects.blogspot.com

In case you can't/don't want to read the whole article here are the snippets on Reid and Romano.
Reid:
6. Cameron Reid - Defense - Kitchener Rangers
Coming into the year after his Hlinka/Gretzky performance, I was a bit worried about Reid’s projection. He was looking like a “jack of all trades” type of defender who also happened to be a little undersized, or at least average sized. Yes, his skating is an asset, but what about the rest of his game would take that next step to make him a first round candidate? Fast forward to now and the Rangers are in first place and Reid has been the top defender and minute muncher. He’s excelling in all situations and he’s really gained confidence in his ability to carry the puck and facilitate using his quickness. He’s turned into a real difference maker offensively. This is combined with excellent defensive habits and sense. He’s got a great stick and even without high end strength and reach, he’s been able to be effective in the defensive end at this level too. I now see a defender who could potential be an all situations type at the NHL level and IMO, he should be considered a first round graded player right now. In a bit of a down year for defenders, Reid could find himself in the conversation to be the third best defender in this entire draft class behind Schaefer (and Jackson Smith). I think that highly of him.

Romano:
7. Luca Romano - Center - Kitchener Rangers
Romano is playing out of his mind right now. He plays at such a feverish pace and his confidence with the puck seems to be growing by the week. The growth of his shot has been huge for his development as an offensive force. He can really fire the puck and he's on pace for over 40 goals now. You add that weapon to his tremendous speed, his tenacity, and his versatility as a two-way high energy guy who can play in all situations, and you have a very interesting pro prospect. Like his teammate Cam Reid, Romano is a very clear first rounder right now for me. He has a safe floor because of how he uses his speed to be disruptive without the puck and because of his shot. At the very least you're looking at a bottom six pro who can play the kind of role that he played for Canada at this past summer's Hlinka/Gretzky. But, there's also a good chance that his offensive game continues to grow substantially and he develops into a Brayden Point kind of player. Lots to work with here.

 

[EvenSteven]

The news release from the Rangers said that Pridham “is committed to play hockey at Boston University next fall”. I wonder if that can change.

I know it’s early as he hasn’t played a game here yet. But going into next year, if not post deadline this year, he might be expected to be a frontline player on this team. Top line, top PP, top minutes. That’s just based on being a 3rd round NHL draft pick on a team where no other player has been drafted as early.

Could he be convinced to stay in Kitchener for his overage season, putting off the NCAA for a year? He probably gets a ton more minutes at this level vs NCAA next year. It might be better to step into the NCAA as a 21 year old. A year older should equal more minutes to start off his NCAA career.

That’s if he adamant about continuing his schooling versus signing an NHL contract.

 

[Ref Hannah]

The news release from the Rangers said that Pridham “is committed to play hockey at Boston University next fall”. I wonder if that can change.

I know it’s early as he hasn’t played a game here yet. But going into next year, if not post deadline this year, he might be expected to be a frontline player on this team. Top line, top PP, top minutes. That’s just based on being a 3rd round NHL draft pick on a team where no other player has been drafted as early.

Could he be convinced to stay in Kitchener for his overage season, putting off the NCAA for a year? He probably gets a ton more minutes at this level vs NCAA next year. It might be better to step into the NCAA as a 21 year old. A year older should equal more minutes to start off his NCAA career.

That’s if he adamant about continuing his schooling versus signing an NHL contract.

A perfect ingredient to make a deep run Mike! Well done! Sell those post season tickets!

 

[GeoBlue]

Swick-Romano-Misaljevic
Pridham-Ellinas-Lam
Vermeulen-Mercer-Bottineau
Hlacar-LaBrash-Arquette

Andonovski-Chromiak
Reid-Campbell
Dirracolo-Bilecki

Parsons

 

[EvenSteven]

Swick-Romano-Misaljevic
Pridham-Ellinas-Lam
Vermeulen-Mercer-Bottineau
Hlacar-LaBrash-Arquette

Andonovski-Chromiak
Reid-Campbell
Dirracolo-Bilecki

Parsons

So, assuming that once healthy, F’s Stark and Grisolia will dress.

Who comes out of the lineup?

 

[I Mac 80]

So, assuming that once healthy, F’s Stark and Grisolia will dress.

Who comes out of the lineup?

Arquette and Bottineau?

 

[Jives]

So, assuming that once healthy, F’s Stark and Grisolia will dress.

Who comes out of the lineup?

I’d trade Bott and Vermeulen. And then Anstis (soon) and Headrick (months still away) still need to come back…

 

[Ward Cornell]

So, assuming that once healthy, F’s Stark and Grisolia will dress.

Who comes out of the lineup?

Botts and Mercer, in a rebuild yr, you gotta go with younger players.