Hockey Analyst on Rangers' Matt Rempe: Lacks Skills to Succeed in the NHL

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Graham Montgomery
October 30, 2024 (8:33 PM)

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NHL analyst Ken Campbell shared his thoughts on Matt Rempe today, calling it 'embarrassing' that he holds a regular spot in the lineup for the New York Rangers.

Rempe has generally been with the Rangers this season, however, he has only actually appeared in three games and has averaged just 5 minutes of ice time in those contests. The Rangers demoted him to the AHL earlier this month but he was called up for last night's game against the Washington Capitals and back in the lineup. Campbell thinks it is time for his type of player to stop existing in the NHL. After all, he can't just fight and provide nothing else to the team right?

"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?"

With that being said, Rempe did drop the gloves in his return to the lineup last night. He went against Capitals veteran defenseman Dylan McIlrath for his first fight of the season. Through three games though he has managed a total of just 16:18 of ice time. It's a miniscule amount given that around half of the forwards in the league get that on a nightly basis, let alone across three games.

Making matters worse for Rempe is the fact that he lost the fight fairly handily. If the one thing you provide to your team is fighting, you should at least be good and consistent at it, and one would have to imagine that Rempe's teammates get a lot more energy from him when he wins his scraps.

If the shoe is on the other foot it can be a bit deflating, however, especially if the team is already down in the game. He very well could be playing into the other team's gameplan as it seems Washington had no issues and the Capitals won last night 5-3.

At this point, we all know what Rempe's game is, and we also know that Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette is not particularly fond of playing him. What does it mean for his future? No one knows for certain, but with his lack of ice time and the disappearance of the once vital enforcer role; Rempe's days as an NHLer are numbered.