Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[SoupNazi]

Continued from Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part III

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[EvenSteven]

Regarding imports, Sale, and contending:

Anytime you are contending team, you need two very good to elite imports. Historically, these are two roster spots filled for free via the import draft.

Draft and recruit the right imports (preferably not in that order), that either immediately or eventually report to become top six F’s or top four D, is vital.

We got lucky by picking up Chromiak virtually for next to nothing. Sale playing at Coachella Valley represents a huge void on our top six. Should he not be returned (today’s the cutoff I believe so it doesn’t look good), his absence is a big hit to our depth. He’d play top six meaning a pretty good player gets bumped to the third line. The better the third line, the better chance you have to go deep in the post season.

No Sale and our chances of going deep in the postseason is greatly affected. You may still go deep. But it will be that much harder than it would’ve been with a world class player in our lineup.

Speaking of players for free, I suppose the Rangers have no room to complain. The CHL/NCAA agreement has been good to Kitchener. But not having Sale in the lineup hurts.

 

[EastAveRangers]

Regarding imports, Sale, and contending:

Anytime you are contending team, you need two very good to elite imports. Historically, these are two roster spots filled for free via the import draft.

Draft and recruit the right imports (preferably not in that order), that either immediately or eventually report to become top six F’s or top four D, is vital.

We got lucky by picking up Chromiak virtually for next to nothing. Sale playing at Coachella Valley represents a huge void on our top six. Should he not be returned (today’s the cutoff I believe so it doesn’t look good), his absence is a big hit to our depth. He’d play top six meaning a pretty good player gets bumped to the third line. The better the third line, the better chance you have to go deep in the post season.

No Sale and our chances of going deep in the postseason is greatly affected. You may still go deep. But it will be that much harder than it would’ve been with a world class player in our lineup.

Speaking of players for free, I suppose the Rangers have no room to complain. The CHL/NCAA agreement has been good to Kitchener. But not having Sale in the lineup hurts.

Sale is currently in the lineup getting his usual 4th line minutes for Coachella Valley tonight, so we can officially close the book on any chance of him getting returned to Kitchener. Really turned into one of the worst trades in recent memory for Kitchener, they got fleeced in that deal unfortunately. You win some, you lose some.

 

[EvenSteven]

Sale is currently in the lineup getting his usual 4th line minutes for Coachella Valley tonight, so we can officially close the book on any chance of him getting returned to Kitchener. Really turned into one of the worst trades in recent memory for Kitchener, they got fleeced in that deal unfortunately. You win some, you lose some.

Yup. For sure. Morey and Scott really would’ve had a hard time getting into this lineup this year. But the 2nd, 2x3rds and 3x4ths really hurts. (That’s two 2nds and a 3rd away from the Rehkopf return).

Had Sale and Savard been here this year, that trade would have been a big win for MM.
Instead, it turned into a big loss.

If the Sale trade didn’t happen, those assets could have gotten us a decent pickup at this year’s deadline. Or maybe had MM not feeling the need to trade Rehkopf last fall. Maybe hold off on dealing him until we could see “who we are”, as they say. Who knows?

But of course, if “ifs and buts were candy and nuts…..”

 

[rangersblues]

Yup. For sure. Morey and Scott really would’ve had a hard time getting into this lineup this year. But the 2nd, 2x3rds and 3x4ths really hurts. (That’s two 2nds and a 3rd away from the Rehkopf return).

Had Sale and Savard been here this year, that trade would have been a big win for MM.
Instead, it turned into a big loss.

If the Sale trade didn’t happen, those assets could have gotten us a decent pickup at this year’s deadline. Or maybe had MM not feeling the need to trade Rehkopf last fall. Maybe hold off on dealing him until we could see “who we are”, as they say. Who knows?

But of course, if “ifs and buts were candy and nuts…..”

Actually if it would have meant not trading Rehkopf this year, I'm fine with everything right now. I like both our future and where we are now.

 

[bobber]

Rangers are missing some element they had earlier in the season. Not sure if the other teams have caught on to what they were doing earlier. They are not really a high scoring bunch. As an example Misa is over 100 points and our top guys at at 50 points or so. If an opponent plays a solid defensive game against them they will struggle to get a win. This squad has a lot of young guys learning what it takes to win tough physical games. Once they get that under their belts they will be even more successful. Rangers can skate with any team in the league. Be great to see them battle more in the blue paint and score more dirty goals.

 

[Fastpace]

Rangers are missing some element they had earlier in the season. Not sure if the other teams have caught on to what they were doing earlier. They are not really a high scoring bunch. As an example Misa is over 100 points and our top guys at at 50 points or so. If an opponent plays a solid defensive game against them they will struggle to get a win. This squad has a lot of young guys learning what it takes to win tough physical games. Once they get that under their belts they will be even more successful. Rangers can skate with any team in the league. Be great to see them battle more in the blue paint and score more dirty goals.

At the beginning, this Kitchener team might have been seen as over achievers, but not anymore. They have characters and heart, how many close games have they been in this season, and how many times have they come from behind to win it in OT or get the extra points. This is a team that likes to score by comity, they have 4 hardworking lines, not all are scoring, but all are doing their hard efforts, their success has rubbed in on all the players. With a goaltender like Parson and a positive attitude, this team has the potential to pose a significant threat in the playoffs. If that is not the case, one can look forward to the next 2-3 years of enjoyable hockey in Kitchener.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

Rangers can skate with any team in the league. Be great to see them battle more in the blue paint and score more dirty goals.

Ya, very valid.

The top two lines have enough skill to play the less shots on net but higher quality chances and pretty passing plays.

But the other two lines can't capitalize on that style with their skill level right now. They need to put pucks on net and do a lotta dangling and give and go.

Dunno if it's a groupthink thing or a style of coaching that has that: less shots but more give and go pretty stuff attempts.

 

[bobber]

At the beginning, this Kitchener team might have been seen as over achievers, but not anymore. They have characters and heart, how many close games have they been in this season, and how many times have they come from behind to win it in OT or get the extra points. This is a team that likes to score by comity, they have 4 hardworking lines, not all are scoring, but all are doing their hard efforts, their success has rubbed in on all the players. With a goaltender like Parson and a positive attitude, this team has the potential to pose a significant threat in the playoffs. If that is not the case, one can look forward to the next 2-3 years of enjoyable hockey in Kitchener.

Hard to read Jussi's mind. He doesn't give up much in interviews. Including compliments. I think he is a defense first type of coach. Whatever his system is the team seems to have bought into it. They all seem to play the same tight checking game and keep their feet moving for the most part. Having a sold goaltender helps a ton also.

 

[GeoBlue]

Early strike on the Ottawa broadcast team. They seem to think that a win today will leap frog us over Windsor into 2nd.

 

[LostRangers]

Deer a coal oh.

 

[bobber]

When did Dracula get picked up? A lot of people say he sucks but looks great on the Rangers.

 

[LostRangers]

We need to get that tough guy Horner. He punches everyone in sight regardless to the fact they are already engaged with someone else. He popped 4 guys and never sticks around for a proper response. Picking on our giants like Lam and Romano.
I know you are losing, but it isn’t like we are trying to run up the score. WTF?

 

[All the Answers]

Ottawa putting on almost a London level of sore loserness at the end of that game. Take the L. Suck it up.

 

[bobber]

Rangers gradually started to dominate in this game. 3rd period was all one sided. Ottawa couldn't get anything going. Even the ref threw them a bone or two and they did nothing with it. Rangers needed this win to get them back on track. Not bad for a rebuild squad.

 

[EastAveRangers]

Early strike on the Ottawa broadcast team. They seem to think that a win today will leap frog us over Windsor into 2nd.

It got better from there. Apparently Cameron Mercer came over from Cedar Rapids in the USHL back in November.

 

[rangersblues]

I think you have to remember that the people working the TV broadcasts are amateurs and likely don't get paid. Possibly they get an honorarium. They have to work other full-time jobs.

I suppose we could keep picking them apart and hope they don't read our messages, get frustrated and quit. Then maybe nobody to do the broadcasts. Then no broadcasts. They do the best they can and will make mistakes.

 

[GeoBlue]

It got better from there. Apparently Cameron Mercer came over from Cedar Rapids in the USHL back in November.

And at one point, the 67's were trying for a "shorty" though the penalty had expired a good 15 seconds ago.

I think you have to remember that the people working the TV broadcasts are amateurs and likely don't get paid. Possibly they get an honorarium. They have to work other full-time jobs.

I suppose we could keep picking them apart and hope they don't read our messages, get frustrated and quit. Then maybe nobody to do the broadcasts. Then no broadcasts. They do the best they can and will make mistakes.

I get it, but some are better than others. Maybe they read our posts and quit, and someone better takes over? Or they are looking at a broadcast career and learn from their mistakes? It's all in good fun and I don't think anyone is calling in to get them off the air. Hey, we all make mistakes.

 

[LostRangers]

I think you have to remember that the people working the TV broadcasts are amateurs and likely don't get paid. Possibly they get an honorarium. They have to work other full-time jobs.

I suppose we could keep picking them apart and hope they don't read our messages, get frustrated and quit. Then maybe nobody to do the broadcasts. Then no broadcasts. They do the best they can and will make mistakes.

Totally aware they are paid volunteers (do receive an honorarium), but then don’t try to sound like you know stuff the listeners don’t and just stick to calling the game. And save some trees and don’t provide a sheet with the phonetic pronunciation of each player’s names. That is my biggest issue with their calls…..somewhere a proud grandparent is watching and hearing them butcher the family name. Is it too much to ask them to use the tools they are given well before each and every game?

 

[bobber]

From an article in 570 News. "This marks the first win by the East Avenue Blues while visiting Ottawa in eight years, with plenty of accomplishments by the team".

 

[bobber]

Totally aware they are paid volunteers (do receive an honorarium), but then don’t try to sound like you know stuff the listeners don’t and just stick to calling the game. And save some trees and don’t provide a sheet with the phonetic pronunciation of each player’s names. That is my biggest issue with their calls…..somewhere a proud grandparent is watching and hearing them butcher the family name. Is it too much to ask them to use the tools they are given well before each and every game?

I think fans observing the game on TV find it humorous the way players names are pronounced. These volunteers are doing the best they can with the information given to them. There are some analyst that are quite knowledgeable about the league and the game. Others are strictly homers. Some tell stories for half the game while the play is going on. Our Ranger guy likes to try to out do the great Don Cameron with his quips.
Like saying "He put the puck top shelf where grandma keeps the cookie jar". And when a player comes in on the goalie to shoot he yells " Show time" hoping like hell the player scores. It's a little tacky but that's what he does.

 

[Ward Cornell]

Totally aware they are paid volunteers (do receive an honorarium), but then don’t try to sound like you know stuff the listeners don’t and just stick to calling the game. And save some trees and don’t provide a sheet with the phonetic pronunciation of each player’s names. That is my biggest issue with their calls…..somewhere a proud grandparent is watching and hearing them butcher the family name. Is it too much to ask them to use the tools they are given well before each and every game?

The teams issues a list of players names and how they are pronounced phoenically.

 

[EastAveRangers]

I think you have to remember that the people working the TV broadcasts are amateurs and likely don't get paid. Possibly they get an honorarium. They have to work other full-time jobs.

I suppose we could keep picking them apart and hope they don't read our messages, get frustrated and quit. Then maybe nobody to do the broadcasts. Then no broadcasts. They do the best they can and will make mistakes.

I totally get it, but to be completely fair, you can’t just start making up illegitimate facts about players that aren’t even close to the truth. It’s one thing to mispronounce a players name, but to start coming up with stuff like that about a player that’s been on our roster for 4 years now, you’ve got to have a little bit more awareness than that…

 

[bobber]

Rangers have to stay out of the box. Despite missed calls. Can't get any momentum. This is Peterborough. Let's get going.

 

[LostRangers]

The teams issues a list of players names and how they are pronounced phoenically.

Dracula is much closer to reality than Dileo today. C’mon man!