Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[EvenSteven]

agree on Bilecki but I suspect McNiel will be slotted in above him in the playoff lineups. Bilecki does have some weakness on the defensive side of things. I think that's due to his youth and lack of physical strength at this time,

Agree.

When it comes to the forward group, I have Hlacar in. But can a now healthy Stark be a better forward option than Arquette? I’m thinking he might be.

Hlacar and Stark in gives us four LWers (Swick. Vermeulen, Stark. Hlacar). Otherwise, bringing in RW Arquette has us having someone playing out of position on the left side

 

[GeoBlue]

Agree.

When it comes to the forward group, I have Hlacar in. But can a now healthy Stark be a better forward option than Arquette? I’m thinking he might be.

Hlacar and Stark in gives us four LWers (Swick. Vermeulen, Stark. Hlacar). Otherwise, bringing in RW Arquette has us having someone playing out of position on the left side

At the time Stark went down, I felt he was our best player.

 

[EvenSteven]

At the time Stark went down, I felt he was our best player.

He did have a few games playing second line LW where he was pretty good.

 

[Matttheleaf]

Interesting to say the least. Would be easier to keep a guy like Chromiak if this came true. Would still be tough if he is back cause he would be an OA and an import, but worth keeping an eye on.

 

[GeoBlue]

Interesting to say the least. Would be easier to keep a guy like Chromiak if this came true. Would still be tough if he is back cause he would be an OA and an import, but worth keeping an eye on.

Maybe this is in anticipation of the AHL allowing younger players into the league?

 

[EvenSteven]

Maybe this is in anticipation of the AHL allowing younger players into the league?

Either that, or anticipation of expansion. Adding another import player across the OHL means the equivalent of one more team (20 players) to the league. Thats helps avoid a watering down of talent. Add one more OA per team and there’s your two team expansion in the O.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

 

[EvenSteven]

View attachment 999003

What better message to other Ranger flyers than the words of a fellow flyer who reported and in his own words, had his development “skyrocket” by coming here to this city and playing under this coaching staff.

Surely those other flyers will take notice and look to the OHL and Kitchener as the best place to play for their development.

 

[Buttsy]

What better message to other Ranger flyers than the words of a fellow flyer who reported and in his own words, had his development “skyrocket” by coming here to this city and playing under this coaching staff.

Surely those other flyers will take notice and look to the OHL and Kitchener as the best place to play for their development.

No surprise really Kitchener has always been a great OHL city. Few years back struggled a bit with coaching (Matthew Barnaby as Defensive Coach LOL) but MM has it back on the desired path.