Kitchener Rangers 2024-25 Season Thread, Part IV

[bobber]

Two things can be true:

First, that Windsor has consistently been the better team. Bigger, faster, more poised and intelligent. They deserve to be up 3-0 and are winning in all categories. Second, that the officiating is as bad as you'll see it. Most of Kitchener's penalties were deserved but wow, how do you miss some of the ones against Windsor? These type of officiating performances need to be reviewed and held accountable. No one else gets to be that bad at their jobs without some repercussions. It certainly looked intentional at times.

Having said that, I wish Kitchener drafted as well as some of these teams. The high end skill many of them get well down the draft is staggering. And the size as well. Teams that take smaller kids early who aren't offensively dynamic, get embarrassed by teams that find size and skill consistently after the top round.

When you look at the average size of NHL players( 6'2" 190) the prototype for drafting skilled players should always lean to size. NHL scouts will likely look in that direction first an foremost when evaluating potential prospects.
It is okay to draft some talented smaller kids but size and speed should always take precedence IMO. Others might think differently but that's fine. I just like to see big skilled physical hockey teams. They are more intimidating to play against.

 

[ohloutsider]

Two things can be true:

First, that Windsor has consistently been the better team. Bigger, faster, more poised and intelligent. They deserve to be up 3-0 and are winning in all categories. Second, that the officiating is as bad as you'll see it. Most of Kitchener's penalties were deserved but wow, how do you miss some of the ones against Windsor? These type of officiating performances need to be reviewed and held accountable. No one else gets to be that bad at their jobs without some repercussions. It certainly looked intentional at times.

Having said that, I wish Kitchener drafted as well as some of these teams. The high end skill many of them get well down the draft is staggering. And the size as well. Teams that take smaller kids early who aren't offensively dynamic, get embarrassed by teams that find size and skill consistently after the top round.

I could nit pick as a Spits fan and point out all the calls missed on the Rangers players , but to be fair the refs are just plain bad all around. I've tried really hard to except that and hope the Spits can play through it. As others have pointed out they are using their playoff whistles and we as fans have literally no idea what a penalty is/ is not during the playoffs. Spits have suffered numerous injuries these playoffs and somehow have found a way to play through it and keep winning. It is not just happening to Kitchener, read other teams threads. Happening across the league. Be safe.

 

[EvenSteven]

When you look at the average size of NHL players( 6'2" 190) the prototype for drafting skilled players should always lean to size. NHL scouts will likely look in that direction first an foremost when evaluating potential prospects.
It is okay to draft some talented smaller kids but size and speed should always take precedence IMO. Others might think differently but that's fine. I just like to see big skilled physical hockey teams. They are more intimidating to play against.

….. and, much more so in the post season, as was said.

 

[bobber]

Spits dressed six 08s last night.

 

[EvenSteven]

Spits dressed six 08s last night.

And not one looked out of place.

 

[BenchedGuy]

Two things can be true:

First, that Windsor has consistently been the better team. Bigger, faster, more poised and intelligent. They deserve to be up 3-0 and are winning in all categories. Second, that the officiating is as bad as you'll see it. Most of Kitchener's penalties were deserved but wow, how do you miss some of the ones against Windsor? These type of officiating performances need to be reviewed and held accountable. No one else gets to be that bad at their jobs without some repercussions. It certainly looked intentional at times.

Having said that, I wish Kitchener drafted as well as some of these teams. The high end skill many of them get well down the draft is staggering. And the size as well. Teams that take smaller kids early who aren't offensively dynamic, get embarrassed by teams that find size and skill consistently after the top round.

This is my thoughts too.

As for the draft, I think our team is really lacking because of Hage/Longacre not reporting. Having 2 high end picks in that draft not on this team shows. You could also look at Rehkropf not being on this team as the lacking scoring threat as well. Not one of this things is the reason, but a combination of them, tells a little bit of the story.

Self discipline is part of it, the ref'ing inconsistency is a part of it.
Burchill was the one that was called out in the first round.

But, again if you cant stop 1 line that means they are the better team. Give them credit, we dont have an answer for the Protas, Greentree, Morneau line. Game 4 tomorrow night, I expect the boys to come out strong and Rangers Nation will show our support too.

 

[EvenSteven]

Kitchener continues making the same mistakes over and over when constructing their teams.

It's size, or a lack thereof mixed with not enough physicality.

I'm sure u guys know better than anyone playing them so often. They don't target the Max Mccues, Landon Sims of the world.

They go after the Mesar, Arcuri, Zhilkin, Rehkopf, Sale, Pridham, Humphreys of the world. Elite players. Very skilled. But not guys who are gonna win battles, crash the net, make life hard in other teams.

Thought theyd work on it but then they draft 5'7 Headrick, Romano who's 5'11, Lam who's 5'9, Ellis who's 5'10 & got Valentini who's 5'9. Great players or will be, but they'll have the same issues prior stars did for them come playoffs. Physically overmatched, overwhelmed.

They keep doubling down on it too as 3 of their first 4 picks this past weekend were on kids who are 5'10".

That's my opinion anyway lol. I know I wasn't asked/not Sting board but us teams golfing are bored

This from the London board. Describes us to a T.

We truly haven’t had a team built for the post season since 2017-18.

 

[RangerNation]

This from the London board. Describes us to a T.

We truly haven’t had a team built for the post season since 2017-18.

The last time this team made it to the 3rd round.

It's even more depressing when you realize how long it's been since they made it to the finals....

 

[EvenSteven]

This is my thoughts too.

As for the draft, I think our team is really lacking because of Hage/Longacre not reporting. Having 2 high end picks in that draft not on this team shows. You could also look at Rehkropf not being on this team as the lacking scoring threat as well. Not one of this things is the reason, but a combination of them, tells a little bit of the story.

Self discipline is part of it, the ref'ing inconsistency is a part of it.
Burchill was the one that was called out in the first round.

But, again if you cant stop 1 line that means they are the better team. Give them credit, we dont have an answer for the Protas, Greentree, Morneau line. Game 4 tomorrow night, I expect the boys to come out strong and Rangers Nation will show our support too.

You have to wonder where we’d be today with Rehkopf, Hage, Longacre in, and Romano out this post season.

Once again, nothing against Romano, but this team last year and this would have been better with Hage than Romano - purely based on age and development.

Digging a little deeper, had we passed on taking a flyer on Hage, and taken the next F taken in the draft (Cole Beaudoin) where would we be today? Beaudoin is a PPG WJC power forward. Something this team is missing.

But you know what they say about “ifs” and “buts”……….

 

[bobber]

I really think since the Spott days the Rangers have avoided players that have character and can play right on the edge

 

[GeoBlue]

You have to wonder where we’d be today with Rehkopf, Hage, Longacre in, and Romano out this post season.

Once again, nothing against Romano, but this team last year and this would have been better with Hage than Romano - purely based on age and development.

Digging a little deeper, had we passed on taking a flyer on Hage, and taken the next F taken in the draft (Cole Beaudoin) where would we be today? Beaudoin is a PPG WJC power forward.

Would Rehkopf, Hage or Beaudoin, and Longacre been enough to beat Windsor? I don't think so.

 

[All the Answers]

I really think since the Spott days the Rangers have avoided players that have character and can play right on the edge

I feel that mentality has turned around under this regime, just hasn't turned around enough at the draft table. Dirracolo, LaBrash, Hlacar to name a few are willing... but we need versions of these players with top 3 round talent.

Ellis, Lam, Arquette, Headrick are not talented enough to move any needles that go along with their diminutive size. They're not Corey Locke... heck they're not Joe Gareffa or Daniel Erlich even.

 

[BenchedGuy]

Interesting talking point to say the least....
take it for what it is. Its not true until it happens but interesting nonetheless. On X (twitter)

OHL insider

@InsiderOHL
Heard barch is getting out of the program to report to Kitchener. Will be an interesting few weeks
12:20 PM · Apr 15, 2025
120
Views

Ryan McArthur
@ryanpmcarthur
43m
I’d imagine in his case it’s more likely to happen considering how high he went in the draft.

 

[OHLTG]

Definitely something to get him into the zone. You should watch him in shootouts. He turns his back when his team is shooting to not see what is happening.

Great kid, but still exhibits "goalies are weird" traits.

One of the Soo goalies did similar in the first round. He would shift his eyes in every possible direction for the first 15-20 seconds of the anthem.

 

[DetSpitsFan]

Have an honest question while it's on my mind...

I noticed in Games 1 and 2, Parsons was talking to himself during the national anthem. They weren't the anthem lyrics. Does anyone know what he's saying? It felt like a routine/superstition.

I thought it may have been Latin or some sort of witchcraft. Definitely not his best work this series (or maybe Greentree just can’t be contained) but he’s made some incredible saves.

Robbed Nesbitt yesterday and Greentree from his backhand. Unfortunately for KIT there’s just too many chances for Parsons to stop them all.

I thought the reffing was mediocre last night. Game 1 I thought was the best we’ve had the whole playoffs in Windsor, but even trying to see it from your side, it was still better than everything we saw in Round 1.

I could’ve seen a head check called on Nesbitt and I was surprised they classified that as a “fight”. Looked like a double minor and a minor for roughing to me. Surprised it wasn’t called an “instigator” as the third man in since they classified it as a fight.

On the Spits second goal and Ellinas near breakaway it looked like they both lost an edge. Unless you want a slash on Abraham on the second goal, looked like he just fell trying to spin away.

Greentree was covering Ellinas and while it looked bad in real time, on the replay Ellinas switched his feet lost an edge and tumbled into the boards weird and Greentree had a quick reach but never tripped him up, slashed him, held him, etc. But I don’t blame Ellinas for trying to draw a call.

I thought the turning point was the Delay of Game, which, is one you have to call. And as much as “head hunting” is being talked about, I’ll take it over the half a dozen plus high sticks that were no-calls on round 1.

From the Spits glasses (I missed the cross check in the early third, Beaver Tail line was taking its time..), the only thing I’m surprised wasn’t called was Andonovski on Garden. Threw a punch at him after the whistle. If it was Abraham, I’d say it was well deserved, but with our 5’8” 16yo, I really dont feel he was trying to get anything going with your captain. (Regular season 132PIM vs 18PIM)

We’ve seen Windsor lose 4 to the Rangers before, I’m not looking too far ahead yet, and still stand by, whoever wins this I want to see in the Finals.

I will say, fun old school rink, pleasant people, great hockey crowd and atmosphere, and an acceptable amount of banter from the locals for wearing a Spits sweater.

 

[Ranger77]

You have to wonder where we’d be today with Rehkopf, Hage, Longacre in, and Romano out this post season.

Once again, nothing against Romano, but this team last year and this would have been better with Hage than Romano - purely based on age and development.

Digging a little deeper, had we passed on taking a flyer on Hage, and taken the next F taken in the draft (Cole Beaudoin) where would we be today? Beaudoin is a PPG WJC power forward. Something this team is missing.

But you know what they say about “ifs” and “buts”……….

When you look at that 2022 draft, Hage in the first round, then we took Longacre with the 31st pick. A combined zero games played. With the 34th pick in that draft, Windsor selects Greentree. Ouch!

 

[OHL 17]

I am glad Hiacar is back in the lineup. I would imagine he will be looking over his shoulder Wed.

 

[RangerNation]

I am glad Hiacar is back in the lineup. I would imagine he will be looking over his shoulder Wed.

There is a bigger likelihood he'll head check another player. Unfortunately, it's kinda his thing lately.

 

[OHLTG]

If he's out there, Windsor has to be disciplined. The moment they get into the retaliation game, they're screwed.

 

[Krangers08]

Interesting talking point to say the least....
take it for what it is. Its not true until it happens but interesting nonetheless. On X (twitter)

OHL insider

@InsiderOHL
Heard barch is getting out of the program to report to Kitchener. Will be an interesting few weeks
12:20 PM · Apr 15, 2025
120
Views

Ryan McArthur
@ryanpmcarthur
43m
I’d imagine in his case it’s more likely to happen considering how high he went in the draft.

He’s officially playing in the states next year per McKenzie.
Good insight on the thought process behind the pick.

Kitchener Rangers first-round draft pick headed to U.S. next season

Blueshirts to play long game with highly touted forward Kane Barch

www.therecord.com

 

[Coaches Coroner]

I feel that mentality has turned around under this regime, just hasn't turned around enough at the draft table. Dirracolo, LaBrash, Hlacar to name a few are willing... but we need versions of these players with top 3 round talent.

Ellis, Lam, Arquette, Headrick are not talented enough to move any needles that go along with their diminutive size. They're not Corey Locke... heck they're not Joe Gareffa or Daniel Erlich even.

Spott used 1st rounders on guys like Brent Pederson, Nick Schmaltz and Mike Davies for their size and character.

It's the usual time of year where its all the small players fault...even though Arquette is arguably one of our better for checkers and harder on the puck than a lot of guys bigger than him (he at least wins more puck battles). LaBrash is gigantic and fine defensively, but he's not been particularly physical.
Lam is definitely talented enough and Headrick has shown well in extremely limited viewings but is 16 and not ready to contribute in the playoffs.

I think there are valid points being brought up, but I think the emotion of the disappointment in how this series has gone is exaggerating some of those points.


Windsor's top line is simply top shelf and we have no answers for stopping their offensive power. The Flint series was still far more physical both ways imo.
One thing I think we seem to lack year in and year out in recent memory is a high-impact import player. I don't think it's possible to overestimate the impact Protas has had on that team.

I would probably feel the same sense of dread everyone else is feeling if this were happening next year, and certainly if we suffer the same fate when our 07s are in their 4th years of eligibility. Right now it's just disappointing. We are ahead of schedule overall (looking back to last year), but this series has been disappointing.

 

[Fastpace]

Spott used 1st rounders on guys like Brent Pederson, Nick Schmaltz and Mike Davies for their size and character.

It's the usual time of year where its all the small players fault...even though Arquette is arguably one of our better for checkers and harder on the puck than a lot of guys bigger than him (he at least wins more puck battles). LaBrash is gigantic and fine defensively, but he's not been particularly physical.
Lam is definitely talented enough and Headrick has shown well in extremely limited viewings but is 16 and not ready to contribute in the playoffs.

I think there are valid points being brought up, but I think the emotion of the disappointment in how this series has gone is exaggerating some of those points.


Windsor's top line is simply top shelf and we have no answers for stopping their offensive power. The Flint series was still far more physical both ways imo.
One thing I think we seem to lack year in and year out in recent memory is a high-impact import player. I don't think it's possible to overestimate the impact Protas has had on that team.

I would probably feel the same sense of dread everyone else is feeling if this were happening next year, and certainly if we suffer the same fate when our 07s are in their 4th years of eligibility. Right now it's just disappointing. We are ahead of schedule overall (looking back to last year), but this series has been disappointing.

High hopes and expectations bring high disappointments.

In this series, whether the Rangers win or lose, many did not have the Rangers making the playoffs, look at the success they had, and how they turn fans into believers. What is in store for this team's future is unlimited, the door to win it all for the next two years is wide open to them.

 

[EvenSteven]

Would Rehkopf, Hage or Beaudoin, and Longacre been enough to beat Windsor? I don't think so.

Maybe not, but maybe so. Hage is hitting it out of the park at Michigan. Second on the team in scoring as an 18 year old. And Rehkopf's 48G in 57 games, and 7G in 6 playoff games? Even though Longacre may have stalled a bit in development (not NHL drafted and still at USHL), I’d like our chances just the same.

Imagine a top six of:

Rehkopf Hage Pridham
Swick Humphreys Miseljevic

That top line is the answer for Windsor’s top line.

No room for Ellinas.

But not having a second import of quality hurts us this year too.

Had we had that import, that would be a deep team when you fill out the third line with he, Ellinas and Lam.

 

[bobber]

Hlachar is a big tough kid. He has to learn to play a hard physical game the right way. It's on Jussi and his staff to develop him properly. Getting a shift or two and being chucked out of the game basically makes Hlachar a non factor. I'm sure with the right coaching they could make a great asset out of the kid.

 

[EvenSteven]

Hlachar is a big tough kid. He has to learn to play a hard physical game the right way. It's on Jussi and his staff to develop him properly. Getting a shift or two and being chucked out of the game basically makes Hlachar a non factor. I'm sure with the right coaching they could make a great asset out of the kid.

Jussi rolls four lines. Regular season anyway. Hlacar is a part of that, no?