Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

[OMG67]

I think part of the Ando thinking is gambling that he comes back for an OA year, use him to make some noise this year and trade him next year as a hired gun.

Makes sense if that is the true sentiment. I am not as positive he returns for an OA season but he could. Depends on how he fits into the long range plans for Ottawa. Good size and mobile. I can’t see Ottawa letting him go. If he signs, he can play AHL I think. I don’t think there would be a reason to send him back for more seasoning. Gotta hope he goes unsigned and not redrafted or FA Signed.

Dave Cameron is a BLACK CLOUD. I 100% think he will go into forced retirement at the end of the season. Probably announce it in late July when all the hockey reporters are on vacation so he goes out without a whimper. Norm Milley can take over. He’s a pretty good coach and has been in Ottawanow for six seasons, seven years.

 

[GeoBlue]

It would. Just might not garner that much in the way of assets. What did the Rangers get for trading the rights of Hage? Can't remember. Don't believe it was much. I guess it could be part of a bigger deal but not sure how that works with players not signed or playing in the OHL.

Hage didn't commit to Sudbury. Now if he would have said, "Yeah, I want to play for Sudbury", we maybe would have gotten more for him?

 

[Coaches Coroner]

It’s not a rebuild year for us anymore.

It doesn't look much like a "go for it" year either. It's year 2 of a rebuild, and should continue that way IMO. We have good young players, but we traded Rehkopf in the summer and you cannot replace that. If we had him and were adding, maybe, but we're playing behind and doing a disservice to the future of this team going for it as is. There is no way we should be moving Lam and a lot of picks for Pinelli imo.

I'm not getting excited because as soon as we're out of the playoffs, everyone that's looking forward to a run right now will be upset and moaning about how we wasted another year that could have built for the future. It's like clockwork.

 

[bobber]

MM as a GM has really no choice but to make some sort of run this year. Team is in 3rd place and ranking high in those CHL rankings. I think he must be satisfied somewhat in the teams achievements so far under Jussi. At the moment Rangers do have the top goalie in the league. I think what is lacking is goal scoring. Not seeing any player up near the top of the standings. I can still see MM trying his best to address that issue. This deadline is no different than any other with players being over valued. MM was the one that came up with building at team looking ahead to the Mem Cup. It puts him into a bit of a puzzle now looking at the draft cupboard. Can he find a way to replenish it if he uses 2nds at this deadline. Rangers won't be the only team making a bid and building towards that goal. The team with an over flowing draft cupboard will have more opportunity to pick up the top available players in the league when the time comes. Might not be the Rangers if they lack assets.

 

[EvenSteven]

MM as a GM has really no choice but to make some sort of run this year. Team is in 3rd place and ranking high in those CHL rankings. I think he must be satisfied somewhat in the teams achievements so far under Jussi. At the moment Rangers do have the top goalie in the league. I think what is lacking is goal scoring. Not seeing any player up near the top of the standings. I can still see MM trying his best to address that issue. This deadline is no different than any other with players being over valued. MM was the one that came up with building at team looking ahead to the Mem Cup. It puts him into a bit of a puzzle now looking at the draft cupboard. Can he find a way to replenish it if he uses 2nds at this deadline. Rangers won't be the only team making a bid and building towards that goal. The team with an over flowing draft cupboard will have more opportunity to pick up the top available players in the league when the time comes. Might not be the Rangers if they lack assets.

Most of the top contenders don’t have overflowing draft cupboards anymore.

 

[OMG67]

MM as a GM has really no choice but to make some sort of run this year. Team is in 3rd place and ranking high in those CHL rankings. I think he must be satisfied somewhat in the teams achievements so far under Jussi. At the moment Rangers do have the top goalie in the league. I think what is lacking is goal scoring. Not seeing any player up near the top of the standings. I can still see MM trying his best to address that issue. This deadline is no different than any other with players being over valued. MM was the one that came up with building at team looking ahead to the Mem Cup. It puts him into a bit of a puzzle now looking at the draft cupboard. Can he find a way to replenish it if he uses 2nds at this deadline. Rangers won't be the only team making a bid and building towards that goal. The team with an over flowing draft cupboard will have more opportunity to pick up the top available players in the league when the time comes. Might not be the Rangers if they lack assets.

And I think there are viable options that us as fans are not intimately aware of. For example, if you look at the McCue trade, they got draft picks along with McCue for Zurawski. Who’s to say that a team like Ottaw awouldn’t add draft picks to Pinelli to make the deal work? Or add another key player like Foster to make the deal work?

On top of that, you may have a verbal commitment from Valentini that fans are unaware of. He’s almost a free player.

You may also have strong ties to certain NCAA bound players that are playing out this year where they are and will commit next year.

There may be a lot of ways to eat the value of Headrick and make a run this year while knowing that your future looks brighter than it does right now on paper.

I am not saying this is the case at all. AND, I am not arguing you should or shouldn’t do it. My point is only about discussing possibilities. These aren’t far fetched options either. The ranges are a highly respected organization with a highly respected coach. When players WANT TO play for you, you typically reciprocate when viable. It looks like you have a player right now that does wat to play for you. It does make sense to see if there is a fire that can be built.

Again, there is only so much I can say on the public forum to clarify what I mean but there looks to be some traction but who knows how it will all work out. I honestly don’t know myself how this is going to play out. I assume if there was something concrete with Kitchener, it would have been announced. It hasn’t so….

 

[BenchedGuy]

Most of the top contenders don’t have overflowing draft cupboards anymore.

I agree, some people have to look at what we have coming that can be used as trade value.

We also will have our 1st Rd pick this coming draft can be put as currency as well as the next years 1st Rd pick (after the picks have been made and the trade window opens or deadline). So its not that we wont have assets to use as well. There will also be 2 import draft before the 26/27 season to get 2 high calibre players to report for that run as well. Add the fact that with the CHL/NCAA rule change, the Rangers seem to be one of the first teams to benefit from this and we will have to see who else MM can get to report. This also helps that we have depth and will have to trade some players eventually so they get playing time. This rule change I see was a game changer for us.

If we make a big trade this deadline, there is still time to reshape the roster with some other picks/players for 26/27.

 

[EvenSteven]

And I think there are viable options that us as fans are not intimately aware of. For example, if you look at the McCue trade, they got draft picks along with McCue for Zurawski. Who’s to say that a team like Ottaw awouldn’t add draft picks to Pinelli to make the deal work? Or add another key player like Foster to make the deal work?

On top of that, you may have a verbal commitment from Valentini that fans are unaware of. He’s almost a free player.

You may also have strong ties to certain NCAA bound players that are playing out this year where they are and will commit next year.

There may be a lot of ways to eat the value of Headrick and make a run this year while knowing that your future looks brighter than it does right now on paper.

I am not saying this is the case at all. AND, I am not arguing you should or shouldn’t do it. My point is only about discussing possibilities. These aren’t far fetched options either. The ranges are a highly respected organization with a highly respected coach. When players WANT TO play for you, you typically reciprocate when viable. It looks like you have a player right now that does wat to play for you. It does make sense to see if there is a fire that can be built.

Again, there is only so much I can say on the public forum to clarify what I mean but there looks to be some traction but who knows how it will all work out. I honestly don’t know myself how this is going to play out. I assume if there was something concrete with Kitchener, it would have been announced. It hasn’t so….

Very good points. This CHL/NCAA agreement as changed the game. Everybody said this trade deadline would be different and it seems to be. This agreement, the way it has benefitted the Rangers, has changed their fortunes for the better this year and beyond. I said a little while back, that we may not need as deep a draft pick cupboard because of this agreement. And that seems to be so. We’ve had four players report as a direct result of this agreement and as OMG said, there may be more after this season. We don’t know so no matter what MM does, I don’t think there’s any real reason to panic.

Also, just because we say we are bidding for the 27 memorial cup does not mean we are automatically getting the hosting job. There are other teams with strong 07 and 08 groups to contend with. As someone said earlier, we just need to build a team to be a top contender that year. If we do host, then it’s a bonus. But I don’t think two or three years out you can bank on being the host team.

 

[bobber]

And I think there are viable options that us as fans are not intimately aware of. For example, if you look at the McCue trade, they got draft picks along with McCue for Zurawski. Who’s to say that a team like Ottaw awouldn’t add draft picks to Pinelli to make the deal work? Or add another key player like Foster to make the deal work?

On top of that, you may have a verbal commitment from Valentini that fans are unaware of. He’s almost a free player.

You may also have strong ties to certain NCAA bound players that are playing out this year where they are and will commit next year.

There may be a lot of ways to eat the value of Headrick and make a run this year while knowing that your future looks brighter than it does right now on paper.

I am not saying this is the case at all. AND, I am not arguing you should or shouldn’t do it. My point is only about discussing possibilities. These aren’t far fetched options either. The ranges are a highly respected organization with a highly respected coach. When players WANT TO play for you, you typically reciprocate when viable. It looks like you have a player right now that does wat to play for you. It does make sense to see if there is a fire that can be built.

Again, there is only so much I can say on the public forum to clarify what I mean but there looks to be some traction but who knows how it will all work out. I honestly don’t know myself how this is going to play out. I assume if there was something concrete with Kitchener, it would have been announced. It hasn’t so….

Great points. Pinelli may end up in Kitchener yet. 1.5 hours to go.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

There's too many good and valid points being swapped. Such calm, level headed but differing viewpoints.

Where are the posts about how every player and 16 year old we have are blue chip prospects that demand 30 goal scorers and two #2 picks back like the other club grps?!

 

[Jives]

There's too many good and valid points being swapped. Such calm, level headed but differing viewpoints.

Where are the posts about how every player and 16 year old we have are blue chip prospects that demand 30 goal scorers and two #2 picks back like the other club grps?!

Arquette and a 7th for Pinelli and Foster should be enough.

 

[OMG67]

There's too many good and valid points being swapped. Such calm, level headed but differing viewpoints.

Where are the posts about how every player and 16 year old we have are blue chip prospects that demand 30 goal scorers and two #2 picks back like the other club grps?!

HAHAHA. Well, Pinelli is a 48 goal scorer so….

Ranger fans are pretty good. I don’t like the fear of the London Knights much but I can understand being gun shy.

I always down for a good discussion with multiple levels. When the discussion doesn’t delve down into a sheer pissing match, the conversation is usually really great. Everyone can learn from everyone else’s insight, especially when it is fans from different teams that have more intimate knowledge of their teams.

I am learning more about the Rangers in this discussion which is great. Being a fan of an Eastern Conference team, most discussion pertains to the Eastern Conference. It is fun this time of year to mingle out of conference.

 

[bobber]

Arquette and a 7th for Pinelli and Foster should be enough.

Is that you Mark Hunter? Don't jive me.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

If we give up more high picks or top prospects for Pinelli, than we got for Rehkopf, it will be a failure of asset management on MMs part. Not a good thing when your prime window years for competing are in a year or 2.

 

[EvenSteven]

Ranger fans are pretty good. I don’t like the fear of the London Knights much but I can understand being gun shy.

Except for 2010 and 2021, the Rangers have been playoff doormats for the Knights throughout the Hunter regime.

There’s a reason to be gun shy! Lol!

 

[OMG67]

If we give up more high picks or top prospects for Pinelli, than we got for Rehkopf, it will be a failure of asset management on MMs part. Not a good thing when your prime window years for competing are in a year or 2.

You could look at it as a positive. When he was traded, the mindset was rebuild. You traded him, got ten draft picks and you are still a contender. That is way better than the alternative where you are not much better than expected.

Just depends on how you look at it.

 

[EastAveRangers]

You’d think there could potentially be a game of chess going on where Kitchener might be waiting to announce any deals until the 11th hour of the 59th minute to avoid giving London the opportunity to go back out and add Luchanko if they wanted to respond. Same could go for them announcing Sale potentially returning from CV. If both names are somehow added back into the lineup, that changes things drastically.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

You could look at it as a positive. When he was traded, the mindset was rebuild. You traded him, got ten draft picks and you are still a contender. That is way better than the alternative where you are not much better than expected.

Just depends on how you look at it.

Glass half empty, glass half full. Doesn't matter if it's shit in the glass.

It's one more example of MM having a plan, this time seemingly committing to it (trading Rehk in off season), and then reversing course at the last second when the team is over achieving. IMO Not much different than the year we added Zhilkin when we should have sold. If the result is the same, the optimism others are showing now will be a forgotten memory and we'll all say he should have stayed on course.

The only reason I can see to not stay the course is if MM thinks both Parsons and Ahokas are huge parts of it, and if he know Ahokas is soon to be eyeing moving on.

 

[OMG67]

Glass half empty, glass half full. Doesn't matter if it's shit in the glass.

 

[Gondrex]

You’d think there could potentially be a game of chess going on where Kitchener might be waiting to announce any deals until the 11th hour of the 59th minute to avoid giving London the opportunity to go back out and add Luchanko if they wanted to respond. Same could go for them announcing Sale potentially returning from CV. If both names are somehow added back into the lineup, that changes things drastically.

My thinking as well. Don't want to tip your hand.

 

[EvenSteven]

You’d think there could potentially be a game of chess going on where Kitchener might be waiting to announce any deals until the 11th hour of the 59th minute to avoid giving London the opportunity to go back out and add Luchanko if they wanted to respond. Same could go for them announcing Sale potentially returning from CV. If both names are somehow added back into the lineup, that changes things drastically.

It’s out there that London may not have any cards left.
But if they do, it’s only one. But they don’t have enough assets to bring in a Luchenko or another big piece unless they offer up Hawery - and the popular opinion is they won’t do that.
They only have one 2nd to move.

 

[LostRangers]

Except for 2010 and 2021, the Rangers have been playoff doormats for the Knights throughout the Hunter regime.

There’s a reason to be gun shy! Lol!

If my math is correct…look out for us London in 2032!

 

[Jives]

Is Sale not in CV? Someone said he hasn’t reported yet? Anyone know if he is in CV right now?

 

[EastAveRangers]

Is Sale not in CV? Someone said he hasn’t reported yet? Anyone know if he is in CV right now?

Hasn’t been back with them yet. Whether he was granted an extended absence from world juniors is unknown, but was not in line up on Wednesday and has not been seen at practice with the team this week

 

[EvenSteven]

Glass half empty, glass half full. Doesn't matter if it's shit in the glass.

It's one more example of MM having a plan, this time seemingly committing to it (trading Rehk in off season), and then reversing course at the last second when the team is over achieving. IMO Not much different than the year we added Zhilkin when we should have sold. If the result is the same, the optimism others are showing now will be a forgotten memory and we'll all say he should have stayed on course.

The only reason I can see to not stay the course is if MM thinks both Parsons and Ahokas are huge parts of it, and if he know Ahokas is soon to be eyeing moving on.

The CHL/NCAA agreement has changed the playing field.