Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part II

[bobber]

Sitting guys out is one thing. Telling them that they're not registered as members of the team so that they have the option of using them or going back outside to other players other than them is IMO demeaning and embarrassing for those players. Now they're just placeholders to circumvent bringing in other players if and when it suits their needs.

One player sitting out has scored 72 goals in his last 87 games.

 

[EvenSteven]

One player sitting out has scored 72 goals in his last 87 games.

And he’s lethal on the PP.

Canada’s PP is lacking after two games. 1 goal in 8 or 9 chances? After playing the first two games they should be at 25-30% vs that competition.

 

[bobber]

And he’s lethal on the PP.

Canada’s PP is lacking after two games. 1 goal in 8 or 9 chances? After playing the first two games they should be at 25-30% vs that competition.

Latvia's PP looked deadly. Canadian players efforts in the shoot out looked bland. Latvia's goalie put on a clinic the whole game. Canada seem to lack a play maker that can dangle and get the goalie moving. In the end shots don't count. Goals do. I may be wrong but Canada seems to have a team of point per game players with the exception of McKenna. There is more parity in hockey in general and many of these teams have adopted to playing a North American style of game. Can't take any team for granted. Our goaltending was awesome also. Hopefully they get their act together.

 

[rangersblues]

Latvia's PP looked deadly. Canadian players efforts in the shoot out looked bland. Latvia's goalie put on a clinic the whole game. Canada seem to lack a play maker that can dangle and get the goalie moving. In the end shots don't count. Goals do. I may be wrong but Canada seems to have a team of point per game players with the exception of McKenna. There is more parity in hockey in general and many of these teams have adopted to playing a North American style of game. Can't take any team for granted. Our goaltending was awesome also. Hopefully they get their act together.

The overall game was a disappointment but the shootout attempts were on a whole other level. If that's the overall skill level of Team Canada they don't have much hope. Most of those attempts were simple saves that didn't have a chance. I can't stand when they go in with little or no speed. Where's Jonathan Toews when you need him.

Something is seriously wrong if Rehkopf isn't dressed next game, even if he is only used in special situations. I'm unsure if he would have helped the PP as the setup was terrible and they didn't even generate many clean shots. But he sure wouldn't have hurt. And they definitely could have used him in the shootout. They dress 13 forwards after all.

 

[Matttheleaf]

With the Otters potentially losing Schaefer for a good chunk of time, that may lead to the otters becoming soft sellers or staying pat, instead of buying, thus creating another team with extra assets like the Rangers.

At this point I think it is just best to stay the course and hope we witness a miracle in the playoffs to get past the Knights.

 

[EvenSteven]

I hear Rehkopf is playing the next game. Hopefully, they actually use him.

PP1.

 

[bobber]

The overall game was a disappointment but the shootout attempts were on a whole other level. If that's the overall skill level of Team Canada they don't have much hope. Most of those attempts were simple saves that didn't have a chance. I can't stand when they go in with little or no speed. Where's Jonathan Toews when you need him.

Something is seriously wrong if Rehkopf isn't dressed next game, even if he is only used in special situations. I'm unsure if he would have helped the PP as the setup was terrible and they didn't even generate many clean shots. But he sure wouldn't have hurt. And they definitely could have used him in the shootout. They dress 13 forwards after all.

Razor has scored 20 goals in 27 games this season I believe. Some of the players in the shoot out looked like rookies or fourth line players the coach was doing a favour for last night for what ever reason. Latvia's PP looked dangerous the way they moved pucks and the positioning they used.
Maybe this group will light it up next couple of games.

 

[Krangers08]

Notes from Josh browns article in the paper today.

Swick or his agent have not heard anything or have had any talks about a potential trade

market has changed with the NCAA rule

Headrick was a full participant at practice
and fully cleared

Stark returned to shooting and skating activity’s

Staff addressed the team on a rumour from a x account claiming a complete tear down was coming and told players involved it wasn’t true

 

[Fischhaber]

With the Otters potentially losing Schaefer for a good chunk of time, that may lead to the otters becoming soft sellers or staying pat, instead of buying, thus creating another team with extra assets like the Rangers.

At this point I think it is just best to stay the course and hope we witness a miracle in the playoffs to get past the Knights.

The Rangers are one of the league's top teams this year . They have an elite goaltender and are set to lose 5 of their best 7 players (in my estimation ) after the season. They have assets to spend. This seems like an obvious year to make additions.

The 25/26 season doesn't stand out as a contending season, with a so-so class of 06's and not much in the way of impact OA's (unless Andonovski comes back). Goaltending will also be a big question mark. This seems like an obvious season to sell and recoup assets for the age 19 seasons of elite players in Reid and Romani.

Fan sentiment seems to be that they should sell this year and build around that 06 class, rather than make 2 runs in the next 3 seasons. Help me understand.

 

[Matttheleaf]

The Rangers are one of the league's top teams this year . They have an elite goaltender and are set to lose 5 of their best 7 players (in my estimation ) after the season. They have assets to spend. This seems like an obvious year to make additions.

The 25/26 season doesn't stand out as a contending season, with a so-so class of 06's and not much in the way of impact OA's (unless Andonovski comes back). Goaltending will also be a big question mark. This seems like an obvious season to sell and recoup assets for the age 19 seasons of elite players in Reid and Romani.

Fan sentiment seems to be that they should sell this year and build around that 06 class, rather than make 2 runs in the next 3 seasons. Help me understand.

Well I think they should stay where they are and try to make a run for the Western final this year and gain valuable experience. Next year they could have some decent players back and players like Reid and Romano will be drafted and one year better, which hopefully would allow them to be near the top of the standings and competing yet again. the 26-27 season should be when this team will be all in and the best in a very long time with Reid, Romano, Lam and others being in their 19 year old season and the rookies from this season being in their 18 year old season, an who knows who else will be here at that time.

 

[Fischhaber]

Well I think they should stay where they are and try to make a run for the Western final this year and gain valuable experience. Next year they could have some decent players back and players like Reid and Romano will be drafted and one year better, which hopefully would allow them to be near the top of the standings and competing yet again. the 26-27 season should be when this team will be all in and the best in a very long time with Reid, Romano, Lam and others being in their 19 year old season and the rookies from this season being in their 18 year old season, an who knows who else will be here at that time.

From the outside looking in, I think there are opportunities to improve the team a lot, without giving up a ton.

First, I would take advantage of the open import spot to add an impact player. A guy like Noel Nordh could play on the top line and may not cost a whole lot more than Alriksson (something like 2,2,3,3). He's just as good as a Pinelli, who would cost way more.

Second, I think a guy like Matthew Mania could address a somewhat thin RD corps both this season and next. We haven't really seen a market develop for that kind of player yet, but it shouldn't be too insane. You guys don't need a big name guy like Gibson, with Reid and Andonovski already on the left side.

Just my thoughts. You guys know the team better than I.

 

[frontsfan67]

Notes from Josh browns article in the paper today.

Swick or his agent have not heard anything or have had any talks about a potential trade

market has changed with the NCAA rule

Headrick was a full participant at practice
and fully cleared

Stark returned to shooting and skating activity’s

Staff addressed the team on a rumour from a x account claiming a complete tear down was coming and told players involved it wasn’t true

Wow so I assume they stand pat? Maybe just trade ando?

NCAA thing will definitely be good for you guys and london

 

[Billyjack]

The Rangers are one of the league's top teams this year . They have an elite goaltender and are set to lose 5 of their best 7 players (in my estimation ) after the season. They have assets to spend. This seems like an obvious year to make additions.

The 25/26 season doesn't stand out as a contending season, with a so-so class of 06's and not much in the way of impact OA's (unless Andonovski comes back). Goaltending will also be a big question mark. This seems like an obvious season to sell and recoup assets for the age 19 seasons of elite players in Reid and Romani.

Fan sentiment seems to be that they should sell this year and build around that 06 class, rather than make 2 runs in the next 3 seasons. Help me understand.

we don't want to be in the position SSM is because that's what they do

 

[Fischhaber]

we don't want to be in the position SSM is because that's what they do

You'll have to elaborate. SSM has had legit Memorial Cup contenders in 5 of the last 6 full seasons (average 44 wins). Playoffs are a crapshoot, but you could be in worse positions.

Let's discuss what the Rangers are doing. I read plenty of discussion about the Greyhounds.

 

[Krangers08]

Misaljevic is joining parsons at Clarkson next year.

 

[LostRangers]

From the outside looking in, I think there are opportunities to improve the team a lot, without giving up a ton.

First, I would take advantage of the open import spot to add an impact player. A guy like Noel Nordh could play on the top line and may not cost a whole lot more than Alriksson (something like 2,2,3,3). He's just as good as a Pinelli, who would cost way more.

Second, I think a guy like Matthew Mania could address a somewhat thin RD corps both this season and next. We haven't really seen a market develop for that kind of player yet, but it shouldn't be too insane. You guys don't need a big name guy like Gibson, with Reid and Andonovski already on the left side.

Just my thoughts. You guys know the team better than I.

We don’t have an over abundance of picks in the cupboard. Even making those ‘inexpensive’ moves leaves us with nothing moving forward, and without a top tender in the league and two of our best scorers.
Not sure how we contend from there?

 

[RangerNation]

From the outside looking in, I think there are opportunities to improve the team a lot, without giving up a ton.

First, I would take advantage of the open import spot to add an impact player. A guy like Noel Nordh could play on the top line and may not cost a whole lot more than Alriksson (something like 2,2,3,3). He's just as good as a Pinelli, who would cost way more.

Second, I think a guy like Matthew Mania could address a somewhat thin RD corps both this season and next. We haven't really seen a market develop for that kind of player yet, but it shouldn't be too insane. You guys don't need a big name guy like Gibson, with Reid and Andonovski already on the left side.

Just my thoughts. You guys know the team better than I.

I think the NCAA deal has changed the approach to the next 2 seasons. Like others have said, they don't have many picks to deal away, especially if the return might be a similar player that commits (for free) next season. It's a fools game to try and content this year when the work is already in motion for 2027 (and really, 2026 now too). They have the ability to compete right now without spending anything. I don't think I've been more sure about a team winning it all like this years London team. It would be a waste to even try honestly, especially when they don't need to.

Edit: to add, I think year two Jussi has shown that his systems are working. Rangers have the best record when surrendering the first goal of the game. This team gets better as the game progresses and nothing seems to phase them (minus the limited off nights they've had this season). When a team is finally set after the deadline, the team should continue to gel.

 

[rve24]

You'll have to elaborate. SSM has had legit Memorial Cup contenders in 5 of the last 6 full seasons (average 44 wins). Playoffs are a crapshoot, but you could be in worse positions.

The SSM model you are hoping they follow hasn't worked for them n this fan base Is probly the most non biased, clear thinking, best takes on its own team on HF..

Really? Legit Memorial Cup contenders last 6 full years lol? Ya lost cred right there. 3 of last 5 years under 500 WP. And 2 around .700.
Playoffs aren't a crapshoot either, but if that makes you feel better.... POs are a 2 month battle n game of attrition. SSM hasn't has the horses outside of 1 year to even come close.
Kitchener posters know what it actually takes.

It'll be interesting for sure but I wouldn't question the Ranger masses on a direction the majority supports. They know their team n the game. ( but as an aside I'd love Spits, Rangers n Erie to buy big n let em all battle it out with LK And no, I wouldn't say it's a clear path for LK)

 

[Wolf on a Wire]

Asking for a friend: What kind of pick package should Rangers expect for Ando?

 

[rve24]

Asking for a friend: What kind of pick package should Rangers expect for Ando?

I'd guess an Allen type return give or take depending on how many are interested.

 

[Fischhaber]

We don’t have an over abundance of picks in the cupboard. Even making those ‘inexpensive’ moves leaves us with nothing moving forward, and without a top tender in the league and two of our best scorers.
Not sure how we contend from there?

My assumption is that you would recoup those picks next year when you don't have one of the league's best teams and an elite goaltender. I think Parsons gives you a chance against any team, including London. It would be a shame to waste such a good season from him by not attempting to win, at least in my view.

 

[Squirrel88]

Can anyone think of an example of a team trading their best player and then turning around and using those assets to go all-in on a run? Gotta be pretty rare if it has ever happened.

Who knows what next year will bring. MM went all-in during the 22-23 season and said it would be a 2 year rebuild. Last year and this year Rangers fans and management thought that they would be rebuilding. On paper right now next year's team looks weaker, but most people picked this year's squad to be fighting for a playoff spot, so...??

 

[Krangers08]

Asking for a friend: What kind of pick package should Rangers expect for Ando?

2 picks less than Gibson but slightly more than Konnor Smith?

 

[All the Answers]

My assumption is that you would recoup those picks next year when you don't have one of the league's best teams and an elite goaltender. I think Parsons gives you a chance against any team, including London. It would be a shame to waste such a good season from him by not attempting to win, at least in my view.

Recoup those picks how? There's no one on this team from their 06 draft. They won't have quality OAs to move unless Pridham returns. Elinas will surely get a good return, but that's it. Then you're left with a more bare cupboard than current for Reid, Romano, Lam, and Stark's 19yo season with a pile of good 18yos when you HAVE to contend.

Soft sell, if no one ponies up for Parsons you win one and possibly two rounds... good chance at 2 if you stay pat. In no world can you buy this year.

 

[frontsfan67]

Can anyone think of an example of a team trading their best player and then turning around and using those assets to go all-in on a run? Gotta be pretty rare if it has ever happened.

Who knows what next year will bring. MM went all-in during the 22-23 season and said it would be a 2 year rebuild. Last year and this year Rangers fans and management thought that they would be rebuilding. On paper right now next year's team looks weaker, but most people picked this year's squad to be fighting for a playoff spot, so...??

Saginaw traded Mintyukov and turned it into Donovan pretty much last year who was a HUGE part of them winning the mem cup