Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[Rangers True Blue]

I doubt Valentini shows up in KW but I am willing to swallow another crow pie feathers and all if he does.

Is this the reverse psychology technique, Bobber? You may be wrong but you may be right as Billy Joel would say.

 

[bobber]

Is this the reverse psychology technique, Bobber? You may be wrong but you may be right as Billy Joel would say.

A lot of myths come to fruition. If the Rangers do manage to get Valentini to report it would be a huge feather in MM's hat. In my case a crow feather. It would mean I am half wrong and half right. Better than I did in school.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

Would you rather take the boat or the muster box? The muster box could have a boat but it could also be an empty box. I'm not saying Ivankovic isn't a potential star but if you are trading away the top goalie in the league currently and a top shutdown D you should get picks back as well as a 17 year old goalie no matter how good he can be.

If Parson's weren't an OA, this is a different conversation.
Ya, I would trade an OA goalie (historically get returns lower than their actual impact to a team, even if they are great) and a half season of Ando for Ivankovic for 2.5 seasons.
We have some reasonable young depth in each of the skater positions, if this were not the case it would be more of a risk. Since we finally somewhat fixed our pipeline of skaters, it would be (to me, not saying everyone has to agree) worth the risk to solidify our goaltending for the current cycle.
I get the rest of this board doesn't really know who he is and doesn't value goaltending (unless it's our OA goalie) the same as they do skaters. Ivankovic and a 2nd would be plenty for me, not sure why it's such a contentious issue when A) it's not happening B) I have no say and C) Brampton probably wouldn't even do Parsons and Ando for him straight up (they are fully committed to him).

I'm also of the group that believes we HAVE to remain committed to the rebuild, so there is no concern about holding onto him for some kind of run. IMO early success is once again giving people cold feet and hope but that ship sailed when Rehkopf did.

 

[RB76]

No doubt it would be a steal of a trade and taking advantage of a Brampton team that is in a tough spot and maybe wondering if this is a go for it year. Reminds me a little of London taking advantage of the Ice Dogs situation over the last few years.

But the thought of having Ivankovic and Shaubel as our goaltending tandem for the next several years would set us up for a nice run at a Championship.

 

[EvenSteven]

But the thought of having Ivankovic and Shaubel as our goaltending tandem for the next several years would set us up for a nice run ata Championship.

We might find ourselves next year in the same boat that Brampton found themselves going into this season. Having two #1’s looking to be THE #1.

Something would have to give. If not next year, than surely the year after. That means we’d be likely moving one. That or always having a primo asset backing up every game.

 

[Krangers08]

Sebrango has been called up to the sens

 

[digicamo]

We might find ourselves next year in the same boat that Brampton found themselves going into this season. Having two #1’s looking to be THE #1.

Something would have to give. If not next year, than surely the year after. That means we’d be likely moving one. That or always having a primo asset backing up every game.

Schaubel has shown nothing but promise in his ability to be the goalie for this team when they make a run. There’s a reason they committed to him over Edwards so I’m not sure they’re going to waste any assets trying to acquire a goalie that may be better then him.

 

[bobber]

Schaubel has shown nothing but promise in his ability to be the goalie for this team when they make a run. There’s a reason they committed to him over Edwards so I’m not sure they’re going to waste any assets trying to acquire a goalie that may be better then him.

Emphasis on "maybe". To even gauge how good Schaubel will be going forward he has to play a string of games against the top contending teams. Seems like he has the right stuff but with goalies one never knows.

 

[rangersblues]

No doubt it would be a steal of a trade and taking advantage of a Brampton team that is in a tough spot and maybe wondering if this is a go for it year. Reminds me a little of London taking advantage of the Ice Dogs situation over the last few years.

But the thought of having Ivankovic and Shaubel as our goaltending tandem for the next several years would set us up for a nice run at a Championship.

Brampton finds themselves in a spot much like the 22-23 Rangers where MM was hell bent that it was a go season. They paid a huge premium to get Rehkopf in the summer and every move since says this is the year. And now they find themselves under achieving badly.

Right now they have 2 choices - 1) Stay the course and continue to add or 2) sell off into what looks like a buyers market. I don't think crossing your fingers and remaining status quo is an option at this point.

 

[digicamo]

Emphasis on "maybe". To even gauge how good Schaubel will be going forward he has to play a string of games against the top contending teams. Seems like he has the right stuff but with goalies one never knows.

Oh I agree 100% I just don’t see a trade for any goalie like Ivankovic happening and that won’t happen until they see more of Schaubel and what he really can be.

I could see Brampton acquiring Parsons still though but the reality is he is an OA goalie so it would be for a few picks at most.

 

[bobber]

Oh I agree 100% I just don’t see a trade for any goalie like Ivankovic happening and that won’t happen until they see more of Schaubel and what he really can be.

I could see Brampton acquiring Parsons still though but the reality is he is an OA goalie so it would be for a few picks at most.

The OHL is an anomaly. If Parsons can continue posting the numbers he has at the moment he could go for more than the an average price at the deadline or before. Depending how bad a contending team wants insurance to put them in a stronger position in net. Just a thought.

 

[EvenSteven]

Emphasis on "maybe". To even gauge how good Schaubel will be going forward he has to play a string of games against the top contending teams. Seems like he has the right stuff but with goalies one never knows.

And don’t rule out Edwards just yet. He had a heck of a year last year at Elmira.

I expect he and Schaubel will share the duties next year. Likely getting equal minutes at least early on.

 

[EvenSteven]

Any deal with Brampton, a team who is lacking on the blue line and size upfront, likely includes an Andonovski and Swick rather than Parsons, if they are dealing with Kitchener.

I know that Brampton has added a 3rd OA in Chase Lefebvre. But they got him on the very cheap with conditions. I suspect they’re trying him out to see if he can be that decent forward with size that they need. Conditions could be that he has to be on the roster after January 1st? We’ve seen that before.

If Lefebvre doesn’t work out, don’t be surprised if they upgrade on him with a guy like Trent Swick.

 

[Matttheleaf]

I have seen some prominent pro hockey accounts talking about how they are underwhelmed with Hunter Brzustewicz and his production this year (2 assists in 18 games). Is there anyway we could see him sent back here? I know it seems like an crazy thing to think but last year we didn't expect to see Roman back and even Hamara was sent back to the OHL this year.

 

[EvenSteven]

I have seen some prominent pro hockey accounts talking about how they are underwhelmed with Hunter Brzustewicz and his production this year (2 assists in 18 games). Is there anyway we could see him sent back here? I know it seems like a crazy thing to think but last year we didn't expect to see Roman back and even Hamara was sent back to the OHL this year.

It would be a surprise. But he’s played in almost all their games. If he was actually struggling that much, I think he’d have seen some press box time.

 

[Matttheleaf]

It would be a surprise. But he’s played in almost all their games. If he was actually struggling that much, I think he’d have seen some press box time.

I think it is a huge longshot but Hunter or the Flames can't like that he only has 2 points as an offensive D. I don't know what his ice time has been like or how many D that the Wranglers have available to them.

 

[EvenSteven]

I think it is a huge longshot but Hunter or the Flames can't like that he only has 2 points as an offensive D. I don't know what his ice time has been like or how many D that the Wranglers have available to them.

Hockey DB has seven D on their roster. All have been in 15 to 19 of the team’s 19 games.

Just have to wonder if he is given offensive opportunities. In Kitchener, he was automatic on PP1. Is he seeing any PP time at all in Calgary?

 

[GeoBlue]

I think it is a huge longshot but Hunter or the Flames can't like that he only has 2 points as an offensive D. I don't know what his ice time has been like or how many D that the Wranglers have available to them.

They sent. Zayne Parekh back. Just sayin'.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Hockey DB has seven D on their roster. All have been in 15 to 19 of the team’s 19 games.

Just have to wonder if he is given offensive opportunities. In Kitchener, he was automatic on PP1. Is he seeing any PP time at all in Calgary?

He is still young and an offensive minded D in a new league with more older and mature players. May take him some time to adjust.

 

[EvenSteven]

They sent. Zayne Parekh back. Just sayin'.

Zayne couldn’t play in the A.

You have to wonder if the Flames are using this year to teach Hunter both sides of the puck. Zayne will likely be the go to offensive D in a few years so Hunter best be a two way D.

Hypothetical:

If they returned Hunter B,
A) Which OA gets moved?
B) Does MM abandon the plan?

 

[Matttheleaf]

Zayne couldn’t play in the A.

You have to wonder if the Flames are using this year to teach Hunter both sides of the puck. Zayne will likely be the go to offensive D in a few years so Hunter best be a two way D.

Hypothetical:

If they returned Hunter B,
A) Which OA gets moved?
B) Does MM abandon the plan?

I think if he gets sent back, it makes it easier to move on from one of your other 3 OA's (probably a forwards) and Ando. I know it's crazy to think that Hunter would fetch less than an Andonovski considering he's an offensive focused defenseman, but he is an OA so the return would be less and it would still allow you to have a really experienced defender on the back end.

These are complete hypothetical here, but you could keep your defence pretty much intact while moving out a Swick and Andonovski and still get back about a load of picks and another experience forward (say an 06).

Ultimately you would lose out on the offensive upside of Swick and the defence of Ando but would get to keep a close to 100 point D and get picks and either another forward back that would contribute next year, or you allow your younger forwards to take an even bigger stretch this year. Pridham does help lesson the blow of losing a Swick or Missle as well.

 

[LostRangers]

It would be a surprise. But he’s played in almost all their games. If he was actually struggling that much, I think he’d have seen some press box time.

He was a healthy scratch last game. On the Wranglers fan board they think he is getting beat too much to the outside. If Haltunnen can get sent back, would not surprise me to see HB back to work on his defensive game.

 

[Matttheleaf]

He was a healthy scratch last game. On the Wranglers fan board they think he is getting beat too much to the outside. If Haltunnen can get sent back, would not surprise me to see HB back to work on his defensive game.

If MM can move out Ando for a bunch of picks and replace him with Hunter who has a mission to work on his defensive game then it would be a win win. You would of course have to move one of our other OA's but I think that can be done without much issue. It would allow us to recoup picks while still staying competitive for a top 4 spot and the potential to win a round or 2 this year without spending anything to stay in contention.

 

[EvenSteven]

He was a healthy scratch last game. On the Wranglers fan board they think he is getting beat too much to the outside. If Haltunnen can get sent back, would not surprise me to see HB back to work on his defensive game.

Should Hunter B be returned:

I think MM moves Swick or Miseljevic then stands pat. Especially if he can get fair value for one of the two. He’ll feel that the cupboard will be stocked enough.

But if it were up to me, I still move Andonovski, and I move Hunter B.

Ando is one of the top 19 year old D who’ll be available if and when he hits the market.

If Hunter B was returned, and hit the market, I believe he’d be the #1 OA available. That’s Wakely return. Maybe more. I take that value primarily in picks.

I believe with four quality OA’s on the team, GM’s out there wait us out to get one on the cheap at the deadline. But Hunter B is a game breaker who’d be in demand. He’d be the easiest to get fair value for.

The return for Ando and Hunter B restocks the cupboard. We keep the rest of the OA’s, trade off an excess forward or two as well.

That lineup still makes noise in the post season. And we still stick to the plan.

 

[Matttheleaf]

All great points and there would be many discussions if Hunter B was sent back.

Hopefully by bringing this up I didn't provide us with any false hope or sense that it will happen. I just happened to see some tweets about him and I looked at his stats and thought he could maybe be a guy that gets sent back.