Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[OSAttackFan88]

I know that this is way early, but looking ahead, this upcoming season could be the toughest for MM to navigate in his time as GM here - but in a good way.

Not including next year’s OA’s, 09 rookies, and imports, we have 22 returning, signed players - most of which are legit OHLers. Most would have been regular players this year if not for our depth. Add in the list of possible flyer reports (Valentini, Bray, Mooney, Grimes, Benson). I’d be surprised if they all report but I’d be just as surprised if none report.

Here are the 22:

Ellinas Humphreys Lam
Vermeulen Romano Arquette
Stark Cameron Ellis
Hlacar Anstis Headrick
Labrash

Reid Campbell
Dirracolo Bilecki
MacNiel Schneider
Xu

Schaubel
Edwards

Now add in up to three OA’s, probably two 09’s, two imports, and whoever the flyer reports are. I expect MM to go hard to get Valentini signed. Likely Bray as well. The others may be longshots at this point but who saw Pridham and Humphreys coming this year?

It’s going to be a very interesting next 12 months in Rangerland!

Losing arguably the best goalie in the league hurts though.. big shoes for Schauble to fill next year. But yes you guys are in good shape for the next couple of years.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

Sim wasn't trying to fight to avoid suspension and the Kitchener player started swinging early.

Real tough.

Sim cross checked Macniel repeatedly in the back of the head, away from the play.

FAFO and Sim found out.

 

[East Avenue Bully]

As I said on the Knights board, replay showed his gloves were on and he was bending over to pick up his stick when he was jumped.

Watch what caused the fight.

Puck was away, Sim cross checked him repeatedly in the back of the head.



He asked for it and got it.

 

[All the Answers]

Watch what caused the fight.

Puck was away, Sim cross checked him repeatedly in the back of the head.



He asked for it and got it.

Disagree. But Sim's game has him asking for it all season. He's just not used to guys standing up to him outside of after he's thrown a dirty hit (2x after head checks, 1x after blindsiding this year).

For the record this fight will be known around the league and farm boy strong southpaw will not catch guys by surprise anymore.

 

[bobber]

Disagree. But Sim's game has him asking for it all season. He's just not used to guys standing up to him outside of after he's thrown a dirty hit (2x after head checks, 1x after blindsiding this year).

For the record this fight will be known around the league and farm boy strong southpaw will not catch guys by surprise anymore.

McNeil can handle himself.

 

[rangersblues]

Sims finally got a little payback. Hopefully more to come in the playoffs.

 

[Sal Iaccuzzo]

Sim cross checked Macniel repeatedly in the back of the head, away from the play.

FAFO and Sim found out.

I don't see even one cross check to the head in the video.

Sim would be suspended if he fought again and got hit multiple times before his gloves were even off.

Only way to get one on Sim is to jump him but he's not innocent over the years so it's whatever.

 

[bobber]

I don't see even one cross check to the head in the video.

Sim would be suspended if he fought again and got hit multiple times before his gloves were even off.

Only way to get one on Sim is to jump him but he's not innocent over the years so it's whatever.

You have to take off those green goggles Sal. Sim almost banged his halo on the penalty box door.

 

[Ward Cornell]

MEH

 

[rve24]

Sims finally got a little payback. Hopefully more to come in the playoffs.

Hopefully both teams can advance far enough to a point where they play each other.
Maybe a 4 Nations Cup replay to start the series
Who are the dance partners?
If they meet we should set up a poll lol.

McNeil/Sim to start. Only fair as one got an instigator cause they felt they needed to standup against the other at the 3F limit for being a Sh..disturber. Let them settle it/end it straight up for both.
Ando/Boulton or Aboflan just for fun
Dirracolo/Wooley or one of the above
Then we gotta add 2 skill players into the mix, just because. Cowan vs ?

Fond memories of the battles thru the mid 2000s with KTown. Both teams had huge GAF meters and AHoles to play against.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

Disagree. But Sim's game has him asking for it all season. He's just not used to guys standing up to him outside of after he's thrown a dirty hit (2x after head checks, 1x after blindsiding this year).

For the record this fight will be known around the league and farm boy strong southpaw will not catch guys by surprise anymore.

2nd time "farm boy" has "surprised" someone. And he won't need to go there if players like Sim don't antagonize him....

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I don't see even one cross check to the head in the video.

Sim would be suspended if he fought again and got hit multiple times before his gloves were even off.

Only way to get one on Sim is to jump him but he's not innocent over the years so it's whatever.

OH it's whatever. Sim is going to be hearing about that for a long time to come....

 

[All the Answers]

OH it's whatever. Sim is going to be hearing about that for a long time to come....

Actually only a couple more months, then he graduates.

 

[Oryx05]

Regarding players next season, I don't think its unreasonable/out of the picture that Ando comes back for his OA year, mind you I'm not sure of the AHL depth the Sens have. If he's sent back, that's HUGE.

Dirracolo is someone I'd like to move on from early enough into next season, we have too many talented young d-men that need ice, to warrant his return, IMO. I believe he's peaked, and is often the 6th best d-man on the bench, even with the McNeils, Bilecki's and Xu's playing.

Chromiak may be back given our recent track record of impactful imports reporting to Kitchener. It's tough to have a player occupy both an OA slot and and import slot - Hamara this year would have been the caliber of player I'd have entertained that for, harder to swallow with Chromiak, but time will tell what happens. I like him over Dirracolo as an older guy to help anchor a young d.

Lots to sort out over the next 6 months, surely the playoffs and play of those mentioned above may also help make those decisions.

 

[Krangers08]

.Dirracolo is someone I'd like to move on from early enough into next season, we have too many talented young d-men that need ice, to warrant his return, IMO. I believe he's peaked, and is often the 6th best d-man on the bench, even with the McNeils, Bilecki's and Xu's playing.

I feel different to him. I think he’s proven to be extremely valuable and will fill a big role with Andonovski gone. Has filled that motew role really well.

 

[bobber]

I feel different to him. I think he’s proven to be extremely valuable and will fill a big role with Andonovski gone. Has filled that motew role really well.

Dirracollo is probably the hardest hitter on the team. When you get to playoff hockey where the D is targetted heavily it's great to have size back there IMO. I like the kid.

 

[EvenSteven]

Regarding players next season, I don't think its unreasonable/out of the picture that Ando comes back for his OA year, mind you I'm not sure of the AHL depth the Sens have. If he's sent back, that's HUGE.

Dirracolo is someone I'd like to move on from early enough into next season, we have too many talented young d-men that need ice, to warrant his return, IMO. I believe he's peaked, and is often the 6th best d-man on the bench, even with the McNeils, Bilecki's and Xu's playing.

Chromiak may be back given our recent track record of impactful imports reporting to Kitchener. It's tough to have a player occupy both an OA slot and and import slot - Hamara this year would have been the caliber of player I'd have entertained that for, harder to swallow with Chromiak, but time will tell what happens. I like him over Dirracolo as an older guy to help anchor a young d.

Lots to sort out over the next 6 months, surely the playoffs and play of those mentioned above may also help make those decisions.

I feel different to him. I think he’s proven to be extremely valuable and will fill a big role with Andonovski gone. Has filled that motew role really well.

Dirracollo is probably the hardest hitter on the team. When you get to playoff hockey where the D is targetted heavily it's great to have size back there IMO. I like the kid.

I’m not so sure that we’ll see a Dirracolo moved out. But we have seven signed D going into next year. Andonovski could eventually be returned or failing that, an OA D added, and likely an 09 D sees his way onto the roster.

With a thin draft pick cupboard, and a contending season expected next year, something would have to give. That might not mean a veteran like Dirracolo is moved, but more likely a younger D who would hold more trade value.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I’m not so sure that we’ll see a Dirracolo moved out. But we have seven signed D going into next year. Andonovski could eventually be returned or failing that, an OA D added, and likely an 09 D sees his way onto the roster.

With a thin draft pick cupboard, and a contending season expected next year, something would have to give. That might not mean a veteran like Dirracolo is moved, but more likely a younger D who would hold more trade value.

Plus the Rangerss have some undersized forwards that should be moved as well. Not promoting moving one over another but theres Ellis, Arquette, Lam, and Headrick. I think Lam is a lock to stay and family history shows that Headrick should have a growth spurt. I know the other players won't bring back much but junior hockey has high turnover rate and the Rangers need to make room '24 and '25 draft picks.

 

[BenchedGuy]

I agree with keeping Dirracolo, I see him filling somewhat the role of Ando and if he Ando is not returned he could step up into that shutdown role (not captain role). Ottawa has 4 NHLers and 5 (including Ando) AHLers signed currently going into next year. Sure they are going to sign some NHL and AHL players still. But if he earns it, I can see Ando not being here next year, and I would think that is the more likely case.

Plus the Rangerss have some undersized forwards that should be moved as well. Not promoting moving one over another but theres Ellis, Arquette, Lam, and Headrick. I think Lam is a lock to stay and family history shows that Headrick should have a growth spurt. I know the other players won't bring back much but junior hockey has high turnover rate and the Rangers need to make room '24 and '25 draft picks.

I see this the case too. With more bodies coming in, I see a spot for 2 maybe 3 of those under sized forwards. It all depends on what kind of year it will be next year and I think that gets determined by who signs/reports in the off-season. Does our depth get traded for upgrades in positions, making a package together to get a better player or two. Or does our depth get traded for picks to use as later currency. I sort of see this being sorted out during/after the preseason to see who won what jobs. Unless MM already has a vision in mind of how he wants to see the roster next year ( or at least at the end of this year).

Really exciting few years coming up.

 

[rangersblues]

Plus the Rangerss have some undersized forwards that should be moved as well. Not promoting moving one over another but theres Ellis, Arquette, Lam, and Headrick. I think Lam is a lock to stay and family history shows that Headrick should have a growth spurt. I know the other players won't bring back much but junior hockey has high turnover rate and the Rangers need to make room '24 and '25 draft picks.

I would say that most of the 25 and 26 draft picks should be developed at Jr A and Jr B in their draft seasons. These should both be go seasons where we need a veteran lineup.