Just about to head out of the Aud. But a few thoughts lingered from a busy day.
First, believe it or not, the Kitchener Rangers are not done dealing. Coach/GM Steve Spott is still shopping for a front line centre.
Spott said he's comfy with Curtis Meighan as a fourth line centre. As for the rest? It's up in the air. If he cannot acquire a pivot, the team will look to Josh Sterk, Matia Marcantuoni, Radek Faksa and probably try Tobias Rieder in the spot.
The Edmonton Oilers, who drafted Rieder in the fourth round in the 2011 draft, have expressed an interest in the Rangers using him down the middle.
So, what or who do they trade, if in fact a deal is forthcoming? Picks are getting slim. Josh Sterk showed some flash tonight and that could put him on the radar of some teams. Brent Pedersen and Marcantuoni will get some interest too.
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Talked to Franky Palazzese on his way out of town. He was ready for today's trade. He said he kept his yap shut all season but was bothered that he didn't get all the starts he felt he deserved.
He was hoping to be moved this past summer but it didn't pan out.
Sudbury and Plymouth were both bidding for his services at the trade deadline.
He went on about the fans, Aud, team and city. But he can't wait to face the Rangers Jan. 20th
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Cory Genovese and Matt Schmalz were both shocked to be moved. Genovese was devastated. His hockey dream was to play for the Rangers.
There was a skip in his voice as he talked about leaving. Off the record, team staff say he was one of the hardest workers on the club.
He had two black eyes and a split open lip as I interviewed him. Casualties from Friday's fight against Peterborough's Derek Mathers, a guy Petes' staff told me players rarely challenge.
Palazzese, Genovese and Schmalz all came in to the Rangers' dressing room Tuesday morning and went around the room saying farewell one by one to each teammate.
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The CHL import pick the Rangers got from Sudbury gives the team insurance in case Faksa doesn't return. At this point the team isn't expecting Tobias Rieder back next year.
Now, the Rangers, who dealt their import pick to Sudbury, can put Faksa -- as a first round pick -- on a reserve list like they did this year, draft a new player and have an option with their imports.
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I'll deal with this more in depth down the road. It has been a hectic day.
But, dealing Palazzese means the club has Jack Moylan in goal next year. Spott said he has the off-season to address the netminding issue and will do it then.
There should be a few options out there, but he acknowleged that it'll be a big task when the season ends to fill the second goalie spot.
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As for why the team didn't trade goalie John Gibson? Well, they thought about it. Staff weighed the pros and cons of a deal for the American netminder.
Not doubt the haul would have been massive.
In the end, Spott says, the way he played at the world junior championships in Russia helped sway their decision.
And who can blame them? How do you trade the gold medal winning junior goalie?
Imagine watching Gibson steal a round or two for another team in the OHL playoffs and how tough that would be? Especially, if it was to a rival.
Now, it's the Rangers who have that trump card in the crease.
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Defenceman Jared Gilbert left tonight's game in the first period and did not return.
He has a deep knee bruise above his left knee cap. He was limping after the game and had his knee wrapped.
The Rangers are getting an X-ray done Wednesday.
