IMHO...Crescenzi needs to really step up his offence especially his play making! I still can't believe he's actually signed a NHL contract!
As a veteran, Crescenzi is going to have to crack the top six to have a successful season. That may be tough to do. He could get 20+ playing with the right players. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see a bit more toughness out of him. Being a Burke type player, with that size, he may want to show this season that he can score some goals and play with an edge. He should be a power forward in this league and I'm betting that is what Burke, and Spott want to see out of him.
I can see it. The Rangers are likely to score approx 240 goals this year. Who do you think will be their top 3 goal scorers? Not points, but goals. Someone has to put the puck in the net. Reider & Marcantuoni will get some but I don't see the Cat filling the net, though I do see him with alot of assists. Crescenzi?? I agree he better do something this year or his hopes of the NHL are all but gone.
Murphy had 26 last year, Reider had 23 and the next highest on the team returning is Cattenacci with 17. Someones gotta put them in!!
I think that Catenacci, barring injury, will come close to doubling his point production this year. He put up 55 points last year while getting virtually zero time on the PP while being one of the premier PK guys on the team. I think he'll finally be a mainstay on the PP and as a result, the production will come. 30-35 goals and 65-70 assists isn't out of the question.
I think that Catenacci, barring injury, will come close to doubling his point production this year. He put up 55 points last year while getting virtually zero time on the PP while being one of the premier PK guys on the team. I think he'll finally be a mainstay on the PP and as a result, the production will come. 30-35 goals and 65-70 assists isn't out of the question.
I agree with that assessment on the Cat. He should lead this team in points this year along with Murphy if he's here (fingers crossed). I know this could probably be said of other teams on in the OHL as well, but if you look at the goal scoring that left this team from last year, there are some huge shoes to fill. With Landeskog, Akeson, Tipoff, Doornbosch, Randell & D'Amigo gone. They accounted for more than half of the teams goals last year (136 of 256) Thompson better get 30 this year!
We need Murphy back to trade at deadline and fast track back to the top!
We need Murphy back to trade at deadline and fast track back to the top!
I doubt we see Murphy dealt at the deadline. As happened in Windsor with Ellis, I'm betting, and I'm sure Spott is betting , that Murphy plays here next year.
And therefore. we should look for Spott to try and make next year the target year. We'll be very strong next year with everyone excluding the OA's returning. Everyone. Much like Plymouth this year.
Therefore, I'm thinking that the only guys he may deal at the deadline are our OA's. Considering what OA players went for at last year's deadline, Spott could acquire a lot in trade for guys like Melchiori, Cat, and yes Sol if he is returned. (Right now I'd say Sol is the same if not better than D'Orazio was last year and look what the Knights got for him!)
Then next summer or fall when OA's aren't as expensive, with the assets acquired in these deadline deals, he would be able to deal for 2 (or 3 if Creszenzi isn't in the plans) really good OA's to round out the team.
We need Murphy back to trade at deadline and fast track back to the top!
I don't see this happening but looking at the ridiculous prices teams payed for mediocre players last season could you imagine the return for Murphy.
...and Niagra acquires D Ryan Murphy from Kitchener in exchange for 12 second round picks, 16 third round picks, full ownership of the Niagara franchise, $10,000,000, and a bag of pucks!
I don't see this happening but looking at the ridiculous prices teams payed for mediocre players last season could you imagine the return for Murphy.
...and Niagra acquires D Ryan Murphy from Kitchener in exchange for 12 second round picks, 16 third round picks, full ownership of the Niagara franchise, $10,000,000, and a bag of pucks!
Yeah.....but who whats the draft picks that would start in the 2034 season???
I agree with the posters above who said to trade the OA's and maybe even Crescenzi.
Wouldn't it be ironic that Melchoiri got traded to Oshawa.
But all things considered it may be the best place for his development to have a long playoff run.
The other possible trade chip next off season that Spott has (but it all depends if he gives this player the playing time)
is trading Frankie P. Next season the job again is Gibsons but the Rangers just signed 16 yr old Jake Moylan.
I thought Moylan was very strong this ex-season and here's hoping he continues it where ever he ends up.
I assume we may see Moylan in a game or two when Gibby is gone in December.
* and there's zero chance that Murphy gets traded this year since there's a better than 50% chance he's back next season.
Last edited by Ward Cornell: 09-22-2011 at 10:28 PM.
It was an emotional night for sure with Fanelli's return. But, it doesn't come close to being as emotional as the night Serge Payer made his first appearance back into the Aud during recovery of the Guillian-barre's (sp) disease.
The sight of him hobbling onto the ice in streetclothes, incredibly underweight, leaning on Jason Byrnes for support has to be the most emotional night I can remember.
I believe Windsor was the opponant that night as well.
Steve B wasn't willing to tell the Record anything other than to say it was expensive. If I had to guess I would say you if your number isn't bang on you probably have the right amount of zeros.
Steve B wasn't willing to tell the Record anything other than to say it was expensive. If I had to guess I would say you if your number isn't bang on you probably have the right amount of zeros.
I seem to remember that this was the number that came up at the subscribers meeting, of course my memory might be playing tricks on me.
I doubt we see Murphy dealt at the deadline. As happened in Windsor with Ellis, I'm betting, and I'm sure Spott is betting , that Murphy plays here next year.
And therefore. we should look for Spott to try and make next year the target year. We'll be very strong next year with everyone excluding the OA's returning. Everyone. Much like Plymouth this year.
Therefore, I'm thinking that the only guys he may deal at the deadline are our OA's. Considering what OA players went for at last year's deadline, Spott could acquire a lot in trade for guys like Melchiori, Cat, and yes Sol if he is returned. (Right now I'd say Sol is the same if not better than D'Orazio was last year and look what the Knights got for him!)
Then next summer or fall when OA's aren't as expensive, with the assets acquired in these deadline deals, he would be able to deal for 2 (or 3 if Creszenzi isn't in the plans) really good OA's to round out the team.
I gotta disagree....Windsor still thought they had enough to compete last year keeping Ellis and Kassian. The Rangers simply don't. There are a lot of doubters Murphy is even coming back this year. If he does, and Spott doesn't move him, it puts a major set back in the Rangers rebuilding time frame IMO. I doubt we see Sol back this year and IMO other than the Cat, the other OA's in Kitchener this year won't bring much at the trade deadline. Not only that, but to try to got for it next year, I don't see them stacking up against London next year. If it's me, I'm looking 2 years down the road and Murphy could set that team up almost by himself at the deadline.
I gotta disagree....Windsor still thought they had enough to compete last year keeping Ellis and Kassian. The Rangers simply don't. There are a lot of doubters Murphy is even coming back this year. If he does, and Spott doesn't move him, it puts a major set back in the Rangers rebuilding time frame IMO. I doubt we see Sol back this year and IMO other than the Cat, the other OA's in Kitchener this year won't bring much at the trade deadline. Not only that, but to try to got for it next year, I don't see them stacking up against London next year. If it's me, I'm looking 2 years down the road and Murphy could set that team up almost by himself at the deadline.
Just my thoughts.
Last year, Windsor made the mistake of assuming that Skinner and Morin were coming back to the Rangers. Thinking they'd be unbeatable, they traded away Shugg and Cantin. (Don't give me the Kerby stuff either. That deal could have happened in this off season).
No way WR deals quality vets away that early, with the possibility of a threepeat on the horizon with the western finalist likely an automatic entry. Believe me, give WR a choice. Either complete a never-before-accomplished threepeat in the building that was awarded the Memorial Cup and pick up Kerby in the offseason, OR, do what he did, I'm betting he'd opt for the threepeat hands down.
But, at the time of the Shugg/Cantin deal, everyone thought that Skinner and probably Morin were returning to Kitchener. Considering how ther previous playoffs went down, WR just felt that hill would be too high to climb. Then, after having Ellis and Kassian on the block for much of last season, changed his mind, albeit too late, and started to try on go for it.
Therefore, throwing in the towel on next year as early as the January trade deadline just because the Knights are supposed to be the favorites would also be a mistake. If Murphy was a lock not to return for his final year of eligibility, as Stamkos was in his last OHL season, then I could see dealing him. But he isn't.
About Stamkos, the Sting set themselves back years by not dealing him at the deadline. He was the consensus #1 NHL pick and no north american forward, since the modern draft started in 1969, chosen 1st overall has ALWAYS gone directly to the NHL. (except for Modano and Lindros and that was their choice. Modano held out for money and we all know the Lindros saga). Therefore, Sarnia had to know that they were losing Stamkos and that with him, they had no chance of going past the powerful Rangers or Hounds that year.
Jasper wouldn't bring much in return I agree, but Cat could bring a decent return along with Melchiori should he be returned here. It all depends on what the market will bare. And at last year's deadline, high prices were being paid for players who most thought weren't worth what was given up for them.
Jasper wouldn't bring much in return I agree, but Cat could bring a decent return along with Melchiori should he be returned here. It all depends on what the market will bare. And at last year's deadline, high prices were being paid for players who most thought weren't worth what was given up for them.
With the entire West up for grabs and with at least 3 teams in the East, it may not be better ever to be a seller.
btw.....Jasper will bring a lot more than most people are assuming. He plays all the crucial minutes for Kitchener (PK and against the top line), a contender would love to have to compliment their defence.
At worst he's a No.3 or 4 for a good team (along the same lines as a D'Orazio last year with the Majors)
About Stamkos, the Sting set themselves back years by not dealing him at the deadline. He was the consensus #1 NHL pick and no north american forward, since the modern draft started in 1969, chosen 1st overall has ALWAYS gone directly to the NHL. (except for Modano and Lindros and that was their choice. Modano held out for money and we all know the Lindros saga). Therefore, Sarnia had to know that they were losing Stamkos and that with him, they had no chance of going past the powerful Rangers or Hounds that year.
Why is everyone obsessed with trading away star players? Are the days gone when players play out their OHL careers with just one team, regardless if it is a winning or losing team?
Why is everyone obsessed with trading away star players? Are the days gone when players play out their OHL careers with just one team, regardless if it is a winning or losing team?
The one reason I'm ok with trading off the OA this year is to replenish the draft stock. With selling off Cat, Melchiori and Jasper it would go along way to getting a full cupboard of picks.
Plus the strength of this team is the relative young defencemen
and the sooner they play big minutes the better!
Why is everyone obsessed with trading away star players? Are the days gone when players play out their OHL careers with just one team, regardless if it is a winning or losing team?
It's nice to have a star player finish his OHL career with the the team he started with. Even better when they can go on a long playoff run with said team as well. It was great to have guys like Roy, Eminger, Richards, Benoit, Azevedo, Spaling all spend their entire OHL careers here in Kitchener. But they were parts of teams that went on long playoff runs.
But, it's also pretty dumb in the opinion of most when you consider the return you can get for such players if you aren't a contender. Look at the return players like Cory Emmerton, John Tavares, Steve Mason, (and just about everyone dealt at last years deadline, lol) reaped for the teams dealing them.
Also, in a lot of cases, teams give the player the choice to go to a contender or not. Guelph gave Ryan Parent that choice and he chose to stay in Guelph. They respected his wishes but as a result, were unable to get anything for him in trade.
Can you imagine the bounty of players/picks the Sting could have gotten for Stamkos? Add to that the conditional picks that would be included in that deal if the impossible happened and TB returned him to the OHL. Teams that subbornly hang onto players just because they are worried about fan response, etc, when there is little evidence that they will go very far in the playoffs is shortsighted and a major miscalculation.
Last year, Windsor made the mistake of assuming that Skinner and Morin were coming back to the Rangers. Thinking they'd be unbeatable, they traded away Shugg and Cantin. (Don't give me the Kerby stuff either. That deal could have happened in this off season).
No way WR deals quality vets away that early, with the possibility of a threepeat on the horizon with the western finalist likely an automatic entry. Believe me, give WR a choice. Either complete a never-before-accomplished threepeat in the building that was awarded the Memorial Cup and pick up Kerby in the offseason, OR, do what he did, I'm betting he'd opt for the threepeat hands down.
But, at the time of the Shugg/Cantin deal, everyone thought that Skinner and probably Morin were returning to Kitchener. Considering how ther previous playoffs went down, WR just felt that hill would be too high to climb. Then, after having Ellis and Kassian on the block for much of last season, changed his mind, albeit too late, and started to try on go for it.
Therefore, throwing in the towel on next year as early as the January trade deadline just because the Knights are supposed to be the favorites would also be a mistake. If Murphy was a lock not to return for his final year of eligibility, as Stamkos was in his last OHL season, then I could see dealing him. But he isn't.
About Stamkos, the Sting set themselves back years by not dealing him at the deadline. He was the consensus #1 NHL pick and no north american forward, since the modern draft started in 1969, chosen 1st overall has ALWAYS gone directly to the NHL. (except for Modano and Lindros and that was their choice. Modano held out for money and we all know the Lindros saga). Therefore, Sarnia had to know that they were losing Stamkos and that with him, they had no chance of going past the powerful Rangers or Hounds that year.
Jasper wouldn't bring much in return I agree, but Cat could bring a decent return along with Melchiori should he be returned here. It all depends on what the market will bare. And at last year's deadline, high prices were being paid for players who most thought weren't worth what was given up for them.
You start off by saying that last year Windsor made the mistake of assuming Skinner & Morin were coming back to the Rangers, well guess what, so did the Rangers!!! There is a lesson to be learned there. The Hunters we in a similar situation the year prior to last with Nazem Kadri. They had a decent team, but not a contender. They could have moved Kadri for a ton of picks, but didn't. Fast forward to last year.....when you talk about learning from your mistakes. We all know what Hunter did at the deadline last year and I would have to agree teams paid too much for the players they got, but don't forget about the moves he made earlier in the year with Varone and Erlich.
The Knights didn't have to finish 8th last year. They could have kept everyone and finished as high as 5th, but for what? A first round playoff exit and delaying the rebuild by 2 years. Now look at where they are and will be for the next 3 years. Kitchener can do the same thing this year. Move any assets they have for young talent and picks and fast forward back to the top! That's just how I would do it and would like to see it done.
I'm also taking into consideration who Murphy was drafted by. If he goes to a team like Boston or Philly who has a lot of depth at D position, he's much more likely to return to the Rangers both this year and next, but Carolina imo does not have a rock solid core back there which is why there are doubters out there that he'll even be back this year. I believe he will be back this year, but I wouldn't bet on next. Get as much as you can for him and let him go to a contender! Again, just what I would do.
Happy to hear the Aud is expanding by 1000 seats. A little disappointed they didn't go for the 3500 extra seats they had talked about as I think that would have been the right move, but I understand parking is an issue. Although there is lots of room to build a multilevel parking lot where the existing ones are, but I can see that expense getting a little carried away. Anyhow, 7000 is better the 6000 so its a start!
You start off by saying that last year Windsor made the mistake of assuming Skinner & Morin were coming back to the Rangers, well guess what, so did the Rangers!!!
You're right there. That's why they dealt for Sol in the off season - because they thought they were set up front.
You're right there. That's why they dealt for Sol in the off season - because they thought they were set up front.
I hope Cody comes back, though I have my doubts.
Does anyone know as of right now what picks the Rangers currently hold for the next couple of years in the draft? I know the cupboards were pretty empty at one point, but I think they have picked up a few recently. I can't seem to find anything on that.
