Hockey Analyst Calls Out Rangers' Matt Rempe: 'Embarrassment To The Best League In The World'

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Tom Banks
October 30, 2024 (8:19 PM)

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The New York Rangers have utilized Matt Rempe plenty over the past two years, and now he's been called out by a big name for his lack of skill at the NHL level.

When Matt Rempe was promoted to the NHL a year ago by the New York Rangers, it wasn't seen as a massive move, but 12 months later, he is now seen as one of the most intriguing players to watch in the NHL. Most of that relies on his fighting ability, and while New York have tried to get him going as an offensive player, they've now seemingly relegated him to the fighting role that is being moved away from in today's NHL.

While his fighting once brought excitement to the league, now there's questions being asked of how he is utilized, with reporter Ken Campbell of The Hockey News calling out the type of player that Rempe has become in the NHL, with the 6-foot-7 monster averaging just five minutes of ice-time in the three games he's played this season after being demoted to the AHL earlier in the year.

"Full disclosure: I have no time for one-dimensional enforcers in hockey. I have no time for Matt Rempe. But even those who champion players of this kind in the NHL have to be wondering what he is doing there, no?"

It's become no secret that the NHL is moving away from this type of player for good reason, as they look to prioritize skill and great highlights as opposed to what the league used to be, and while Rempe no doubt has aspirations of being a great player, the Rangers see him as a one-dimensional type of player.

How is this guy actually occupying a roster spot in the best league in the world? Nothing that this guy does is at an NHL level, he can't hit at the NHL level without hurting people, he can't fight at the NHL level, and he can't play at the NHL level.

At this point in time, it's hard to argue with Campbell's assessment, as Rempe hasn't shown the ability to do anything well yet, and with just 2 shots and five minutes of ice-time in the Rangers loss to Washington, he continues to bring little to the game. Sure, the fights are fun for fans in the crowd, but at such a young age, they are doing a disservice to Rempe to continue rolling him out to fight, and unless he can develop a skill at the NHL level, he just won't last.