cvandenberg22
Registered User
- Dec 25, 2012
- 104
- 52
Kitchener is always a powerhouse team that has the ability to re-tool fast and attract both top American players and coveted Europeans. This allows them to be a perennial contender like London.
Forwards
The Rangers lose most of their top players to graduation and had a strong contingent of 1999 and 2000 birthdates who accounted for a large percentage of their goals. The young kids will have to step up and be leaders. Mike Petizian (2001, LW) and Declan McConnell (2002, RW) had 21 goal seasons and will be the focal point of the offense, along with 2019 OHL 1st round pick Francesco Pinelli (2003, C) who could go in the top 2 rounds of the 2021 NHL draft. Reid Valade (2002, LW) will also be counted on to improve upon his 18 goal, 39 point season. Isaac Langdon (2002, C), a 2018 2nd round pick, needs to provide more offense, and hopefully 2020 OHL draft picks and Southern Tier teammates Andrew Leblanc (5-10 C) and Trent Swick (6-5, LW) can develop quickly to provide depth. Forward will undoubtedly be a focus in the Import Draft, since Axel Bergkvist signed with a European pro team.
Defense
The Rangers may have one of the top Defensive units in the entire OHL. It is anchored by New Jersey 3rd rounder Michael Vukojevic (2001, LD) a big defenseman who anchors the unit. Donovan Sebrango (2002, LD) should be a top 3-4 round pick in this year’s draft, as well as 6-4 import Ville Ottavainen (2002, RD) who should also be selected. Arber Xhekaj (2001, LD) developed as the year went on into a top-4 option. American Simon Motew (2003, RD) rounds out the depth of the unit, along with a choice of one of the two overage options- Justin MacPherson (2000, LD) and Holden Wale (2000, LD). Jacob Leblanc (2004, RD) and George Fegaras (2004, RD) are both 2020 OHL picks that are very highly rated and will push for positions next season, especially with the current defensive complement being left hand heavy.
Goaltenders
Jacob Ingham was stolen from Mississauga at the beginning of last season and was signed by the LA Kings to a pro contract. If somehow he is returned, it will be a game changer for the Rangers as he was arguably the top goalie in the league last season. Lucas Pfeil (2000) is an option as an overager, but with the forward core in so much need for experience, it wouldn’t be a surprise for Kitchener to pull the trigger on a deal with a team that has some depth in between the pipes like Barrie. 3rd round OHL selection Jackson Parsons (2004) is highly regarded and was invited to Hockey Canada’s goalie summit, so they may look at him as a backup option.
Draft Capital
Kitchener does not own a 2nd round pick until 2024, but has retained at least one pick in the majority of rounds after that. They do not have the assets at this time to make a move at the deadline, so with their situations at the forward and goalie spots, they will have to decide if they want to trade some of their depth on D to replenish their assets. How the young forwards develop will determine what they do at the deadline.
In conclusion, the Rangers would be smart to be patient and see how the first half of the season goes, who develops and who doesn’t. They could win the lottery and have one of their highly regarded Americans report (Caden Brown, 2003; Devin Kaplan, 2004; Cutter Gauthier, 2004; Owen Mehlenbacher, 2004), which they have had success with in the past. Maybe they hit a home run with an impact forward in the Import Draft or in a trade for an overager. Of course, the biggest impact move would be the return of Jacob Ingham, who woul
Forwards
The Rangers lose most of their top players to graduation and had a strong contingent of 1999 and 2000 birthdates who accounted for a large percentage of their goals. The young kids will have to step up and be leaders. Mike Petizian (2001, LW) and Declan McConnell (2002, RW) had 21 goal seasons and will be the focal point of the offense, along with 2019 OHL 1st round pick Francesco Pinelli (2003, C) who could go in the top 2 rounds of the 2021 NHL draft. Reid Valade (2002, LW) will also be counted on to improve upon his 18 goal, 39 point season. Isaac Langdon (2002, C), a 2018 2nd round pick, needs to provide more offense, and hopefully 2020 OHL draft picks and Southern Tier teammates Andrew Leblanc (5-10 C) and Trent Swick (6-5, LW) can develop quickly to provide depth. Forward will undoubtedly be a focus in the Import Draft, since Axel Bergkvist signed with a European pro team.
Defense
The Rangers may have one of the top Defensive units in the entire OHL. It is anchored by New Jersey 3rd rounder Michael Vukojevic (2001, LD) a big defenseman who anchors the unit. Donovan Sebrango (2002, LD) should be a top 3-4 round pick in this year’s draft, as well as 6-4 import Ville Ottavainen (2002, RD) who should also be selected. Arber Xhekaj (2001, LD) developed as the year went on into a top-4 option. American Simon Motew (2003, RD) rounds out the depth of the unit, along with a choice of one of the two overage options- Justin MacPherson (2000, LD) and Holden Wale (2000, LD). Jacob Leblanc (2004, RD) and George Fegaras (2004, RD) are both 2020 OHL picks that are very highly rated and will push for positions next season, especially with the current defensive complement being left hand heavy.
Goaltenders
Jacob Ingham was stolen from Mississauga at the beginning of last season and was signed by the LA Kings to a pro contract. If somehow he is returned, it will be a game changer for the Rangers as he was arguably the top goalie in the league last season. Lucas Pfeil (2000) is an option as an overager, but with the forward core in so much need for experience, it wouldn’t be a surprise for Kitchener to pull the trigger on a deal with a team that has some depth in between the pipes like Barrie. 3rd round OHL selection Jackson Parsons (2004) is highly regarded and was invited to Hockey Canada’s goalie summit, so they may look at him as a backup option.
Draft Capital
Kitchener does not own a 2nd round pick until 2024, but has retained at least one pick in the majority of rounds after that. They do not have the assets at this time to make a move at the deadline, so with their situations at the forward and goalie spots, they will have to decide if they want to trade some of their depth on D to replenish their assets. How the young forwards develop will determine what they do at the deadline.
In conclusion, the Rangers would be smart to be patient and see how the first half of the season goes, who develops and who doesn’t. They could win the lottery and have one of their highly regarded Americans report (Caden Brown, 2003; Devin Kaplan, 2004; Cutter Gauthier, 2004; Owen Mehlenbacher, 2004), which they have had success with in the past. Maybe they hit a home run with an impact forward in the Import Draft or in a trade for an overager. Of course, the biggest impact move would be the return of Jacob Ingham, who woul
