Kitchener Rangers 2023-24 Off-Season Thread (Part 1)

[Rangers True Blue]

I really like this signing. It looks like MM is finally maybe staring to realize that we need some size, grit and physicality in our lineup. We definitely need to be more tougher to play against especially in the playoffs where the games become more physical. We’ve been far too easy to play against the past couple of post seasons as we’ve had no push back against more physical teams. It’s ok to have some smaller skilled guys but you need a good mix of grinders and skilled guys. Our lineup the past few seasons as been too many players with very similar styles. In regards to next season it need to be a development year and anyone who won’t be here in two years should be traded for assets in picks and younger players. We should have enough to get into the playoffs as a lower seed to get valuable experience for our younger core. I have faith in the coaching staff to get the most out of the roster.

I can still remember Jussi in a post game interview "They're trying to hurt my players." He was genuinely astonished. It was an OHL eye opener for sure. I can't help but think that Jussi and his coaching staff made a request for some toughness...some grit...when drafting this year.

MM: He uses his size and strength well on the ice and plays a hard game.

In the press release: Standing at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Hlacar’s robust style of play and ability to dominate the ice make him a valuable asset for the Rangers as they continue to strengthen their lineup this offseason.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

My observation was the same. I think if he works on his skating over the summer it would go a long way next season.

And he didn't seem to have the same urgency as he did last August. But he can play no doubt and could be a diamond in the rough.

 

[Coaches Coroner]

And he didn't seem to have the same urgency as he did last August. But he can play no doubt and could be a diamond in the rough.

Or he could be nothing. I hope he pans out, he brings something we need. See everyone excited but not trying to get my hopes up until I see him in an actual OHL game. Toughness is great unless you can't keep up; not very useful if you can't catch up to anyone to be tough on.

In a rebuild year it's a perfect gamble though, at worst you hopefully have a guy who can protect some of the younger guys when other teams get out of line.

 

[Squirrel88]

Or he could be nothing. I hope he pans out, he brings something we need. See everyone excited but not trying to get my hopes up until I see him in an actual OHL game. Toughness is great unless you can't keep up; not very useful if you can't catch up to anyone to be tough on.

In a rebuild year it's a perfect gamble though, at worst you hopefully have a guy who can protect some of the younger guys when other teams get out of line.

Easy to see Hlakar riding shotgun with Headrick and/or Arquette in a bottom 6 role. Maybe he draws in for some games and Cameron for others, depending on the opponent. Watching a bit of the dev camp, I thought Labrash was more skilled, so this signing feels like the coaching staff prioritizing physical play.

Kit has a lot of bodies to start the year, but that is good, as it gives them some flexibility at the trade deadline. Don't need players back in trades, necessarily.

I'm surprised that no one has taken a stab at a depth chart yet!

 

[Tim Wallach]

And he didn't seem to have the same urgency as he did last August. But he can play no doubt and could be a diamond in the rough.

I believe it’s because he had an agreement already in place and didn’t need to go out to prove anything.

 

[Gondrex]

I can still remember Jussi in a post game interview "They're trying to hurt my players." He was genuinely astonished. It was an OHL eye opener for sure. I can't help but think that Jussi and his coaching staff made a request for some toughness...some grit...when drafting this year.

MM: He uses his size and strength well on the ice and plays a hard game.

In the press release: Standing at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Hlacar’s robust style of play and ability to dominate the ice make him a valuable asset for the Rangers as they continue to strengthen their lineup this offseason.

Hlacar was at Knights camp last fall too IIRC. MM really has no choice but to toughen up the line-up, and this signing still may or may not be enough over the short, mid, and long term. Time will tell.

Although it now looks like Hlacar will no longer be in any Knights line-up, they still have the one Boulton two years from now - assuming they keep him as an OA. They also have PJ Fagan and Blake Arrowsmith with the Nationals. I can't say with any certainty, but are these a couple more tough kids about to be added next season? If so, I don't think any of our current '07's match up in that department. To sound repetitive, what Kitchener had this past season wasn't nearly adequate enough.

I know it's tiring to constantly compare this team to the Knights, . On the other hand, sticking one's head in the sand isn't the answer either. It's one thing to know your enemy. It's another to actually do something about it.

 

[GeoBlue]

Okay, I am going to post a depth lineup because, well, no one else has. Plus I have too much time on my hands this morning and I have never done one before! LOL! Let me say, this is harder than I thought!

So lets start with what we had late last year, give or take.........

Sale - Mesar - Rehkopf
Swick - Sop - Misaljevic
Ellinas - Romano - Lam
Bottineau - Mercer - Pugliese
Stark - Martin

Brzustewicz - Andonovski
Reid - Motew
Savard - Dirracolo
Campbell

Parsons - Malboeuf

I was wondering where we are going to put all the new signings but upon doing this, I found out that we need to insert maybe 7 players but, potentially, we are losing 11. The 3 OA's are gone and we need to get rid of 2 OA's for this year. And of course, we have the elite players that will most certainly be traded at some point during the season. Long story short, I have.........

Ellinas - Romano - Misaljevic
Bottineau - Mercer - Pugliese
Pobezal - Headrick - Lam
Hlacar - Cameron - Arquette
Stark plus one via trade or Euro draft?

Reid - Dirracolo
Campbell - MacNeil
Bilecki plus 2 via trade or Euro draft?

Malboeuf - Edwards

Yes, I have Parsons gone as he will give us the most value via trade. Same with Swick over Misaljevic. I think "Sick Beef" has enough experience to mentor Edwards. I'll never forget the game he played AGAINST the Rangers a couple of years ago and I think he still has that in him. If a name from last year is missing, it is because I see them as getting traded at some point.

I have the Pug line listed as the 2nd line only because it worked out that way as I would like to keep them together. Realistically, maybe 3rd line? I see the extra forward being covered in one of the drafts but perhaps the defense spots get covered via trade, someone with a bit of experience to lead our young defense?

And obviously, this is a later in the season projection as we do not know when "the trades" will happen, and some of our newbies will have to start in the farm system, similar to Arquette and MacNeil last year.

All criticism will not be taken personally, thank you for your time.

 

[Krangers08]

Anstis has officially signed. Tidy work to get him done before the USHL draft

 

[GeoBlue]

Anstis has officially signed. Tidy work to get him done before the USHL draft

Okay, so we dispense of Missle in my above projection and go with one less OA. If we can get him going on a 40 pace again, like he was at the beginning of last year, perhaps we can get a decent return on him as well? Put Lam in his place and Anstis on the 2nd / 3rd line?