Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[bobber]

The offence just wasn't off this game, but it goes back a few weeks. The team isn't a high volume shots on net team, so any downturn in offence is magnified even more. The powerplay has been stagnant but that's balanced off by their PK.

This is true. Rangers seem to have lost their mojo a while back. Not sure what changed.

 

[RangerNation]

This is true. Rangers seem to have lost their mojo a while back. Not sure what changed.

The dust is settling and teams are better. I've watched so many games now with the neutral zone being a back and forth bore. That being said, they find ways to win. It's refreshing to see honesty. I don't wince as much as I did when they are losing at any point of the game. They've proved me wrong many times this year.

 

[bobber]

The dust is settling and teams are better. I've watched so many games now with the neutral zone being a back and forth bore. That being said, they find ways to win. It's refreshing to see honesty. I don't wince as much as I did when they are losing at any point of the game. They've proved me wrong many times this year.

Rangers are a third place team with some decent vets and a group of talented younger players. I think the management is happy with what they have seen so far.
Opposing teams aren't totally dead. It's usually tougher to play on the road in their barns. This squad seems to play right to the wire. As you said they find ways to win.

 

[rangersblues]

This is true. Rangers seem to have lost their mojo a while back. Not sure what changed.

A lot of new players in the lineup has changed team chemistry

 

[bobber]

A lot of new players in the lineup has changed team chemistry

I agree. It takes a while for new players to adjust to the system and different line mates.

 

[bobber]

No discipline on Canada tonight and it cost them. Lack of creative players is the elephant in the room.

 

[GeoBlue]

Been a while since they’ve swept the northern trip

I don't look at this as a "sweep" if SSM is not included as well. (The traditional sweep) But good on them getting the 2nd off to a great start.

 

[LostRangers]

No discipline on Canada tonight and it cost them. Lack of creative players is the elephant in the room.

Watching the special teams play was eerily similar to some of our games against the Nights. They go all globetrotters on us, holding control the whole 2 minutes, or when they score, and we struggle to get set up in the O zone.
I know that part of that is that the US has played together for many of them over a number of years…but this is the best we can do? It is either the composition of this team, or the coaching, just not sure which.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Overachieving leads to disappointment when things come back down to original expectations. Not the first time this team has gotten off to a really hot start, only to come back to reality in the second half.
IMO It's only a bad thing if you buy into the hot start and make decisions about the future of your team based on that, and not the present reality that dictates we should be sticking to our original and longer term plans.

 

[RB76]

Specialty teams play such a vital role, especially against quality teams with good PK. Right now the team appears quite one dimensional, with very little ability to improvise and just make plays.

 

[bobber]

Specialty teams play such a vital role, especially against quality teams with good PK. Right now the team appears quite one dimensional, with very little ability to improvise and just make plays.

RB you hit the nail on the head. So far no real play makers have shown up. Razor and others need a set up man to put up numbers. Seems like opposing teams all keep Canada to the outside on the perimeter and limit any real dangerous threats to score.

 

[Jives]

What I hope MM does is sell Ando, Swick and Misel. If a blow me away offer comes for Parsons then I take it. This gives the ice to the kids and helps the draft cupboard for mem cup year. I’d probably look for a vet cheap goalie to help Schaubel and I’d go 50/50 on starts until playoffs and then pick a starter.

What I think MM does. He adds an import. This could be a Ranger property import or a cheap import via trade (more then likely a trade). Might clear out an extra player or 2 to make room for some of the kids. Maybe move out 1 or 2 of Mercer, Gris or Velm to give Arquette, Ellis, Headrick, Labrash, Hlacar, etc more ice moving forward. If we can get a cheap import Dman then I think he still might move out Ando.

I think he doesn’t do much. We lose in 2nd or 3rd round of playoff (again) and waste an opportunity to replenish the draft cupboard and maybe pick up a 2008 or 2007 via trade.

 

[bobber]

What I hope MM does is sell Ando, Swick and Misel. If a blow me away offer comes for Parsons then I take it. This gives the ice to the kids and helps the draft cupboard for mem cup year. I’d probably look for a vet cheap goalie to help Schaubel and I’d go 50/50 on starts until playoffs and then pick a starter.

What I think MM does. He adds an import. This could be a Ranger property import or a cheap import via trade (more then likely a trade). Might clear out an extra player or 2 to make room for some of the kids. Maybe move out 1 or 2 of Mercer, Gris or Velm to give Arquette, Ellis, Headrick, Labrash, Hlacar, etc more ice moving forward. If we can get a cheap import Dman then I think he still might move out Ando.

I think he doesn’t do much. We lose in 2nd or 3rd round of playoff (again) and waste an opportunity to replenish the draft cupboard and maybe pick up a 2008 or 2007 via trade.

Sale is 6th in scoring at the Worlds.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Sale is 6th in scoring at the Worlds.

I wouldn't expect Sale to come back at this point. Has been producing alright at the AHL level and is doing well for Czechia. Would be a huge free addition but I don't think it will happen at this point now.

 

[Jives]

His AHL team posted he is coming back after the WJ. I’d say 5% chance he ends up in Kitchener.

 

[bobber]

I wouldn't expect Sale to come back at this point. Has been producing alright at the AHL level and is doing well for Czechia. Would be a huge free addition but I don't think it will happen at this point now.

True. I was just pointing out the fact he is in 6th place in points and no Canadian player is in the top 30 I believe. He does show up when it counts. He is a good NHL prospect.

 

[rangersblues]

What I hope MM does is sell Ando, Swick and Misel. If a blow me away offer comes for Parsons then I take it. This gives the ice to the kids and helps the draft cupboard for mem cup year. I’d probably look for a vet cheap goalie to help Schaubel and I’d go 50/50 on starts until playoffs and then pick a starter.

What I think MM does. He adds an import. This could be a Ranger property import or a cheap import via trade (more then likely a trade). Might clear out an extra player or 2 to make room for some of the kids. Maybe move out 1 or 2 of Mercer, Gris or Velm to give Arquette, Ellis, Headrick, Labrash, Hlacar, etc more ice moving forward. If we can get a cheap import Dman then I think he still might move out Ando.

I think he doesn’t do much. We lose in 2nd or 3rd round of playoff (again) and waste an opportunity to replenish the draft cupboard and maybe pick up a 2008 or 2007 via trade.

I think it's a buyer's market this year, although I've been wrong before. There could be a market for Swick as he's unique with his size. Ando I really don't think so. Gibson is the biggest fish by far.

We're fortunate MM jumped the gun and traded Rehkopf before the season. I don't believe we get that return now.

 

[bobber]

I think it's a buyer's market this year, although I've been wrong before. There could be a market for Swick as he's unique with his size. Ando I really don't think so. Gibson is the biggest fish by far.

We're fortunate MM jumped the gun and traded Rehkopf before the season. I don't believe we get that return now.

The Knights being so dominant might change the dynamics of the deadline. GMs might not be so willing to get into a bidding war as they have in other years. The Knights really don't need much this year from what we have seem so far. They are solid in most areas.

 

[Squirrel88]

Maybe, although I bet there will be 5 or 6 teams in the East thinking that they can be the 2023 Petes with a couple key additions. They might be right - Jr hockey can be crazy. Have a goalie get hot, get a couple bounces and who knows.

Regarding the market for Ando, I think there will be one, if Kitchener decides to sell this year. Allen is traded, Smith is an OA(but someone will pick him up) and Gibson will be in demand. Whoever misses out on Gibson might be interested in the 2nd best non-OA defensive defenceman.

 

[Ranger77]

I wouldn't expect Sale to come back at this point. Has been producing alright at the AHL level and is doing well for Czechia. Would be a huge free addition but I don't think it will happen at this point now.

In hindsight, that trade last year for Sale and Savard does not look very good. We gave up a lot of picks! At the time, I'm sure MM thought there was a pretty good chance that both of them would be playing for the Rangers this year.

 

[Fischhaber]

I think it's a buyer's market this year, although I've been wrong before. There could be a market for Swick as he's unique with his size. Ando I really don't think so. Gibson is the biggest fish by far.

We're fortunate MM jumped the gun and traded Rehkopf before the season. I don't believe we get that return now.

The 2 most recent deals, as well as the early deals for guys like Rehkopf, Barlow, and Lenders, don't really indicate a buyer's market. There's a chance that the top 7 teams in the East are all buying.

 

[Matttheleaf]

I know this isn't Rangers related, but why would Brampton do this? Their Starting goalie is an 07 and is probably only going to be missing 1 more game while away Canada.

 

[Squirrel88]

Just about as rare as an 8th place team that was pretty much a gong show in the first half of the season, emptying the cupboard in an effort to go all in.

Brampton is 7th - does that count? I like their chances of improving in the 2nd half of the year more than I liked Kitchener's changes two years ago. That team felt cursed. Venting frustration with it was the reason that I started posting.

 

[EvenSteven]

Brampton is 7th - does that count? I like their chances of improving in the 2nd half of the year more than I liked Kitchener's changes two years ago. That team felt cursed. Venting frustration with it was the reason that I started posting.

There’s a bit of a difference. This Brampton team has been injury ravaged in the 1st half. That Ranger team was a gong show most of the season.

 

[Jives]

Such a weird trade by Brampton. That’s a very expensive back up goalie?