So does it then make sense to take a high risk - high reward player (in the sense that he may not report) in the 1st round and do that 1st round double-dip in 2026 ? The Ranger's next pick is at the top of the 2nd round, plus this draft is so deep that after the top 5 or so, the next 35-40 are likely quality picks (somebody is welcome to correct me if I have this wrong). So if this is correct, and a few teams go off the board, this team could still get a potentially very good pick in round two and possibly a decent player in round three.
By the way, I'm not suggesting this. Just throwing it out there.
What do I know.
Kitchener, ONT – The Kitchener Rangers have acquired two picks from the London Knights receiving Flint’s 3rd Round Draft Pick in 2026 and Barrie’s 5th Round Draft Pick 2027. Kitchener has traded away our own 3rd Round Draft Pick in the 2025 Draft to the London Knights. With this move, the...
chl.ca
Me personally dont see us taking a player that wont come to get the comp pick next year. I would have to think whoever we take this year in the 1st will be traded by the deadline for an upgrade. Same with next years 1st rder. Using the player(s) picked in the 1st more as currency in a later trade. Thats what most contenders do...but who knows.
Historically the flyers start coming around the 3rd or later pending on who it is and why they arent coming but with this being the first draft since the NCAA/CHL rule change its all going to be different I feel.
I like the move with London. We simply don't have roster spots next year, and if we're trying to host for 2027 Mem Cup, this years 3rd would have to be a stud to presumably make the team in 2026. You can't trade players from this draft except 1st rounders. But we can trade the 3rd and the 5th from London next year for help next year and beyond.
Our first two picks this year are 22nd & 24th (from PBO). Draft a guy with the 24th O/A who will report and make an impact, and use the 22nd O/A for a higher end riskier pick, giving the team flexibility to trade that player or if doesn't report then we have 2 firsts next year, both of which could be traded. That's something a buddy of mine has suggested, it makes sense to me.
(Forgive me but this is long. Getting fidgety waiting for the start of round two)
The goal here should be getting to a place where this team is not looking to trade their first round pick in a contending year. Unless a player is identified as the type of first round pick that could be considered a bust, and we’ve had them here before, that player should be valuable enough to be a piece further down the road and therefore, be considered off the table.
That’s what London does. They aren’t trading away the Connor McMicheals of the world, they are trading for them. It’s the less than impressive first rounders that they trade away. Guys like Testa, Bujold, Rolofs, Rowe, etc, that they deem expendable or not close to the talent / player they thought they were when they drafted them, that they sell off while they still have value as first rounders. That organization has been evaluating that first rounder from the time they’re drafted to the deadline. They learn a ton about the player on and off ice. If that player hits the block at the deadline, there’s a reason for it.
It’s not only about 2027 and hosting the Memorial Cup. It’s about being good for a consistent period of time. That period of time seemingly started last year and should flow right through and past 2027.
It’s possible that our 08 group could surpass our 07 group - especially if Valentini reports. So there’s no reason to believe that 27-28 should be a down year that has us selling off. A successful 2025 draft would go a long way to strengthening that team. That’s another reason why I wasn’t a fan of moving that 2025 3rd rounder to London.
I don’t know about purposely drafting a player in hopes he’d be defected. Especially when that pick is at #22. The return would be minimal in trade. What did #22 Henry B bring Ottawa? 2nd, 2nd, 3rd. If we’re getting a player who can contribute at #24, I stands to reason we’ll get one at #22 as well.
I’m thinking this draft will be close to what the actual ranking are. There will be players who are true student players who’d come to the OHL now.
So suppose the handful of first round ranked players who in the past were picked outside the first round, flyers if you will, are actually picked in the first round this tear where they are ranked. Once those players are slotted in, the player available to us at #22 would have already been drafted in years past. That should increase the odds that the player we take at 22 will be of higher calibre than players taken at 22 in the past.
And I know we scored big time being able to draft both Reid and Romano in the 2023 draft. But I posed the question last year and I’ll pose it again now. Which player would have made last year’s team better, and which player would make this year’s team better?
Hage or Romano. I know who I’d pick.
I get it. Hage wasn’t coming. But, we didn’t get a landfall of picks for him in trade. One 4th rounder and of course, the comp pick used on Romano. I understand the thinking that it’s all about 2027 and possibly hosting. But I’m positive MM welcomes Hage with open arms if he’d have reported here.
For me, I look at the Hage / Romano thing as a sideways move. Basically trading player for player, thus kicking the can down the road a year. This is by no means a rip on Romano. The kid is top shelf but compared to Hage, he’s a year behind him based on age and development.
We don’t have roster spots next year. But I think room will be made. Yes I agree two 09’s. Outside chance at three. I mean, we’re very deep this year and had Bilecki and Schaubel here all year and Headrick would have been if not for injury. But we should also make room for a flyer or two (Valentini +?), and a couple of imports.
We’ll have assets to sell. Maybe a couple we wouldn’t expect to be moved that bring good value to the draft cupboard. For instance, I wouldn’t be surprised if a guy like Bilecki is moved for value. He’s shown he’s a player in this league this year. A player with high upside. But, where does he fit in once you get past guys like Dirracolo, Campbell, Reid, and an OA? The coaching staff is playing MacNiel and Xu ahead of him for a reason and it’s not because Bilecki can’t play. It’s because we’re embarrassingly deep. If we use an OA D, today he looks to slot in at 6-7? I think he deserves and will want more minutes but so do they all. Some have mentioned moving out MacNiel but there’s a reason he’s starting in the playoffs. This management group relishes size and grit. If and when Ando graduates, who fills his shoes? For me, I see MacNiel today as a poor man’s Ando. Just as I saw Ando as a poor man’s Xhekaj.
In 26-27, we’ll need more than one 07 born D and it’s obvious he slots in behind Reid and ahead of Schneider.
What’s Bilecki worth? Well, as a second round pick of this league, who has shown he can play in this league and have good upside, he has to be worth at least a 2nd + +. That helps fill the draft cupboard, gives the player a place to play more regular minutes, and helps clear up our back end a little. Of course, this is all strictly spitballing on my part. I have no idea what’s in management plans. I’m just throwing this out as a hypothetical.
Bottom line is, moves will have to be made to make room for incoming players. Some moves that may not be popular or expected among the fan base. Again the next 8 or 9 months will be very interesting here in Rangerland.
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