Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

[EvenSteven]

Just my opinion but Sale looked disinterested last season and wondering if this holdup could be him balking to come back here.
Honestly, even though his talent would be a huge upgrade not sure if he's mentally prepared to play back in the OHL.

And why upset the chemistry of the team now? I'm hoping that ship has sailed and he's staying put.

I wouldn’t go that far. What Ward said is a possibility. But last season was a year like Mesar’s first in the league. A year getting used to everything on this side of the pond. Mesar was twice the player in his second year here and I’d be inclined to think the same would be the case for Sale.

As far as team chemistry goes, no different than when Humphreys or Pridham found their way here. An addition of a player of that skill, for free, makes the team better.

We’d be able to put together a hell of a top nine.

 

[GeoBlue]

I wouldn’t go that far. What Ward said is a possibility. But last season was a year like Mesar’s first in the league. A year getting used to everything on this side of the pond. Mesar was twice the player in his second year here and I’d be inclined to think the same would be the case for Sale.

As far as team chemistry goes, no different than when Humphreys or Pridham found their way here. An addition of a player of that skill, for free, makes the team better.

We’d be able to put together a hell of a top nine.

He was better than PPG in the playoffs last year. I would take him.

 

[BenchedGuy]

For me, about Sale, I dont think I want him to report here only because of the other imports rights we would have to give up. Unless we know Pozebal and/or Chrenko will not come at all next year.
IMO I dont know if its worth giving up those rights if there is still a possibility they report.

As for Sale' play, I think he would fit in and make us better. If we just look at where he would fit in and push our depth down, Sale should fit in with Misaljevic and Romano. I wouldnt want to break up the Swick, Humphreys, Pridham line.
I think Lam would be playing on the 3rd instead of top 6. A third line of Grisolia Mercer Lam should be one of the best 3rd lines out there.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

So if Sale comes in for the last dozen games and playoffs, Rangers wouldnt be able to get Pozebal or Chrenko to come here next season?

 

[BenchedGuy]

So if Sale comes in for the last dozen games and playoffs, Rangers wouldnt be able to get Pozebal or Chrenko to come here next season?

Someone else could clarify better but my understanding is that we would have 2 imports with one being a 1st rd pick so at the very least would have to give up one of their rights if not both.

 

[EvenSteven]

I’m not so sure. Import rules are blurry at best.
If Sale is sent here and we have to drop the rights to a protected import, what’s the big deal? We draft another in the summer import draft.

I mean, from what I understand, we currently hold the rights to Chromiak, Sale, Mesar, Pobezal, Chrenko, and this mystery goalie that we apparently claimed on waivers. The guys on the OHL podcast tried to explain as best they could about import rules, but they didn’t even seem to be sure.

 

[I Mac 80]

I see that the Kraken sent Eberle down to the AHL for a condition stint which means even less chance Sale gets in the lineup short time. I realize that the conditioning stint is very short time but Sale has been scratched a lot over the last month and also hasn’t really produced much. Is development could stagnate not playing. Better to come here for a couple months and gets tons of playing time and then if/when our season finishes up he can go back up and rejoin the team. On a different note accordingly g to JB from the record Elinas was a full participant in practice today, meaning he was out of the non contact sweater which is good news. Closer to returning than not.

 

[rangersblues]

I’m not so sure. Import rules are blurry at best.
If Sale is sent here and we have to drop the rights to a protected import, what’s the big deal? We draft another in the summer import draft.

I mean, from what I understand, we currently hold the rights to Chromiak, Sale, Mesar, Pobezal, Chrenko, and this mystery goalie that we apparently claimed on waivers. The guys on the OHL podcast tried to explain as best they could about import rules, but they didn’t even seem to be sure.

Just another example of the lack of transparency of the OHL

 

[BenchedGuy]

I’m not so sure. Import rules are blurry at best.
If Sale is sent here and we have to drop the rights to a protected import, what’s the big deal? We draft another in the summer import draft.

I mean, from what I understand, we currently hold the rights to Chromiak, Sale, Mesar, Pobezal, Chrenko, and this mystery goalie that we apparently claimed on waivers. The guys on the OHL podcast tried to explain as best they could about import rules, but they didn’t even seem to be sure.

Why I'd keep their rights....potential top end NHL draft picks as import are not always easy to obtain. Both Pozebal and Chrenko are ranked in the top 60 approximately. Still time for that to change but if they have interest, it may be worth hanging onto.

 

[EvenSteven]

I thought once we picked up this goaltender, we would have to drop the rights to one of Pobezal or Chrenko. That apparently wasn’t the case.

Again, with the murky import rules, who knows whether or not we’d have to drop the rights to one of these guys if Sale is returned.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I thought once we picked up this goaltender, we would have to drop the rights to one of Pobezal or Chrenko. That apparently wasn’t the case.

Again, with the murky import rules, who knows whether or not we’d have to drop the rights to one of these guys if Sale is returned.

I suspect the OHL/CHL view is to try to get as much high level talent into the leagues here. Getting imports here is one of MM major faults, I was hoping with Jussi here it would make it easier to attract imports especially the Finns!

 

[rangersblues]

I suspect the OHL/CHL view is to try to get as much high level talent into the leagues here. Getting imports here is one of MM major faults, I was hoping with Jussi here it would make it easier to attract imports especially the Finns!

Last season was Jussi's first season. This season was supposed to be a rebuild so the focus was rightly on developing home grown talent. I'm guessing next couple of seasons we'll see some significant imports reporting.

 

[Jives]

For me, about Sale, I dont think I want him to report here only because of the other imports rights we would have to give up. Unless we know Pozebal and/or Chrenko will not come at all next year.
IMO I dont know if its worth giving up those rights if there is still a possibility they report.

As for Sale' play, I think he would fit in and make us better. If we just look at where he would fit in and push our depth down, Sale should fit in with Misaljevic and Romano. I wouldnt want to break up the Swick, Humphreys, Pridham line.
I think Lam would be playing on the 3rd instead of top 6. A third line of Grisolia Mercer Lam should be one of the best 3rd lines out there.

Ellinas goes to the 4th line when he comes back? Just kidding…I knew your forgot about him.

We’d have 7 really good forwards if Sale came back. Add Lam as a player that can play in your top 9 that gives you 8. Would be a fight for that last spot in the top 9 forsure.

 

[EvenSteven]

Ellinas goes to the 4th line when he comes back? Just kidding…I knew your forgot about him.

We’d have 7 really good forwards if Sale came back. Add Lam as a player that can play in your top 9 that gives you 8. Would be a fight for that last spot in the top 9 forsure.

Stark showed really well when he was used as the 2nd line LW before his injury. If he’s back and healthy, he could complete the top 9.

Swick. Humphreys. Pridham.
Sale. Ellinas. Miseljevic.
Stark. Romano. Lam.
Vermeulen. Mercer. Grisolia.

But Geez the healthy scratches?

 

[Krangers08]

Penticton is leaving the BCHL for the WHL next year.Had to pay millions the league and over a million to Kelowna for territorial rights.
Did Brantford have to pay anything to Kitchener or Guelph? Or is that not a thing in the OHL.

 

[EvenSteven]

Penticton is leaving the BCHL for the WHL next year.Had to pay millions the league and over a million to Kelowna for territorial rights.
Did Brantford have to pay anything to Kitchener or Guelph? Or is that not a thing in the OHL.

Brantford did not have to pay anything. Or at least if they did, it wasn’t made public.

I remember back in the day, Kitchener gave the blessing to allow the Guelph franchise. They figured Guelph wasn’t close enough to affect Ranger attendance negatively. They likely feel the same about Brantford.

But when there were whispers of Waterloo maybe wanting a team, it was suggested that the Rangers would either try to block it, or they would look for territorial compensation. But that never even got off the ground enough for it to get to that point.

 

[BenchedGuy]

Ellinas goes to the 4th line when he comes back? Just kidding…I knew your forgot about him.

We’d have 7 really good forwards if Sale came back. Add Lam as a player that can play in your top 9 that gives you 8. Would be a fight for that last spot in the top 9 forsure.

lol, no didnt forget about Ellinas. He is practicing with regular jersey from what I hear. Just making the point about the strength of top 6 if Sale was returned.

Stark is apparently still dealing with concussion, rumour has it that it could be his 5th he has had since becoming a Ranger. I wouldnt be surprised if he would be shut down for the season and re-evaluated before next season. Health comes first so I also wouldnt be surprised if it is his 5th that his hockey days maybe be over.

 

[bobber]

lol, no didnt forget about Ellinas. He is practicing with regular jersey from what I hear. Just making the point about the strength of top 6 if Sale was returned.

Stark is apparently still dealing with concussion, rumour has it that it could be his 5th he has had since becoming a Ranger. I wouldnt be surprised if he would be shut down for the season and re-evaluated before next season. Health comes first so I also wouldnt be surprised if it is his 5th that his hockey days maybe be over.

lol, no didnt forget about Ellinas. He is practicing with regular jersey from what I hear. Just making the point about the strength of top 6 if Sale was returned.

Stark is apparently still dealing with concussion, rumour has it that it could be his 5th he has had since becoming a Ranger. I wouldnt be surprised if he would be shut down for the season and re-evaluated before next season. Health comes first so I also wouldnt be surprised if it is his 5th that his hockey days maybe be over.

For the kids sake I hope the rumour isn't correct. Kid has skill. Be nice to see him on the roster next year.

 

[Jives]

Stark started to play some solid hockey right before he got injured. Hopefully he can be good to go to start next season.

 

[digicamo]

For the kids sake I hope the rumour isn't correct. Kid has skill. Be nice to see him on the roster next year.

What Benched Guy heard is a little exaggerated but there is truth to the story. We may never see him in a Rangers jersey again which is a shame.

 

[BenchedGuy]

What Benched Guy heard is a little exaggerated but there is truth to the story. We may never see him in a Rangers jersey again which is a shame.

Was just saying what i heard was rumoured..not from an official team source but someone close. We do know he has had concussions the last 2 years. Feel for the kid because of his injuries he has already had to start his OHL career.

Rangers off to a bit of a scrambled start tonight. Parsons hasnt looked as sharp in the 1st. Hopefully the team turns it around in the 2nd.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Rangers D missed some assignments and allowed Kingston forwards to zoom in on the non-action side of Parsons and score. This needs to be sorted out. Kingston is showing what other top teams will do in the playoffs.

Rangers outshot Kingston in the 2nd and had some good looks but no finish. Snake bitten. 3rd was back and forth. The late penalty in the 3rd sealed the Rangers fate. Hard to tie a game up when someone is in the box. On to Ottawa......

All 3 stars to the Fronts? That's a homer move.

Windsor lost to Sag so there's that. Flint still in position to face the Rangers for playoffs.
London blew away the Soo and served notice on their first round of playoffs.
Brantford demolished Ice Dogs with 3 individual hat tricks.....BOOM

 

[GeoBlue]

Rangers D missed some assignments and allowed Kingston forwards to zoom in on the non-action side of Parsons and score. This needs to be sorted out. Kingston is showing what other top teams will do in the playoffs.

Rangers outshot Kingston in the 2nd and had some good looks but no finish. Snake bitten. 3rd was back and forth. The late penalty in the 3rd sealed the Rangers fate. Hard to tie a game up when someone is in the box. On to Ottawa......

All 3 stars to the Fronts? That's a homer move.

Windsor lost to Sag so there's that. Flint still in position to face the Rangers for playoffs.
London blew away the Soo and served notice on their first round of playoffs.
Brantford demolished Ice Dogs with 3 individual hat tricks.....BOOM

Niagara not the same team they were at the beginning of the season. I consider them a below .500 team now. I don't mind giving all 3 stars to Kingston, no one on the Rangers really stood out. This one was a snoozer and I am concerned that we found a comfortable spot in 3rd place and are content to sleep our way into the playoffs. We are not beating the "elite" teams as of late.

 

[bobber]

Despite the shot clock Rangers layed another egg last night. Lot of individual rushes that turned the puck over. In the 2nd half of the season teams get more physical getting ready for the playoffs. That element is not really noticeable in the last two games with the Rangers. The team shot themselves in the foot with penalties at inopportune times which took away any momentum. Kingston is on a roll at home lately and played a great game to get the win putting 4 past Parsons.

 

[rangersblues]

Rangers D missed some assignments and allowed Kingston forwards to zoom in on the non-action side of Parsons and score. This needs to be sorted out. Kingston is showing what other top teams will do in the playoffs.

Rangers outshot Kingston in the 2nd and had some good looks but no finish. Snake bitten. 3rd was back and forth. The late penalty in the 3rd sealed the Rangers fate. Hard to tie a game up when someone is in the box. On to Ottawa......

All 3 stars to the Fronts? That's a homer move.

Windsor lost to Sag so there's that. Flint still in position to face the Rangers for playoffs.
London blew away the Soo and served notice on their first round of playoffs.
Brantford demolished Ice Dogs with 3 individual hat tricks.....BOOM

I'm unsure why Ando abandoned the front of the net completely to chase the puck on the first goal. I had to watch the replay a few times. I thought it might have been a bad line change or he got injured.