Troubling Report Reveals Matt Rempe's Time With The Rangers May Be Over
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Matt Rempe is a fan favorite in New York and one of the up-and-coming enforcers of the game, but the latest report reveals his time with the team may be over.
Matt Rempe spent his offseason working on his game, training in strength, skating, and overall performance.
He did a lot of intense work with former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque to work on his physical play and made some moves to improve his skating, a couple of key areas he hoped would help him make a stronger impact this season.
He worked hard, but he still could not get a regular spot on the New York Rangers line-up, losing the spot to such players as Jimmy Vesey and Adam Edstrom. Despite several recalls by the Rangers, he has never managed to nail his position.
Rempe gained folk-hero status last spring at the Garden with a series of fights and 71 penalty minutes in 17 appearances, but the 6-foot-9 winger has appeared in only three of 10 games this season for the Blueshirts, including a healthy scratch in Friday's win over the Senators.
Since joining the AHL, Rempe has not quite lived up to the expectations he created last season with his feisty, energetic game that won over many fans.
In his first five AHL games this year, he has two penalty minutes, five shots on goal, a -6 plus/minus rating, and a 40.2% expected goals rate.
That would suggest so far that he's had some difficulty establishing a consistent, positive impact on the ice.
Rempe said he'd like his game to resemble Adam Lowry's, with a physical element, strong work ethic, and great two-way play.
He has shown tremendous determination in training so far; the difficult part is transferring that into a consistent on-ice product.
As it is presently constituted, it could come down to being more than just a big body if he wants to get back to the NHL.
There's still time for Rempe to right the ship this season, and with his strong work ethic, a mid-season improvement could put him back on the Rangers' radar. After all, who doesn't love a player who brings a good tilt when it counts?
Previously on Bladeofsteel
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 12 | 335 ANSWERS Troubling Report Reveals Matt Rempe's Time With The Rangers May Be Over Will Matt Rempe ever be a regular in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 125 | 37.3 % |
| No | 210 | 62.7 % |
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