New York Rangers Quickly Replace Enforcer Matt Rempe with Recent Roster Move
The New York Rangers wasted little time in finding their replacement for enforcer Matt Rempe, as the team has just added Jake Leschyshyn to their roster.
With Matt Rempe's assignment to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the New York Rangers will turn to Jake Leschyshyn to take on the in-your-face, physical enforcer role that had been occupied by Rempe. The 25-year-old forward was recalled Saturday ahead of the evening matchup with the Anaheim Ducks.
It's a brazen change of mind by the Rangers in terms of how they would like to fill that grit and toughness in their lineup. While Leschyshyn isn't traditionally known as a natural enforcer, experience and adaptability could see him develop into a role that calls for a bit more physicality, especially with Rempe out of the lineup.
Jake Leschyshyn's recent production with the Hartford Wolf Pack has demonstrated that he is capable of much more offensive contributions than Matt Rempe. Leschyshyn was the Second Star of the game in the 4-3 overtime win against Lehigh Valley on Friday, scoring his first of the season and assisting on another. In five games this season he has three points, showing at times he can step up when needed. He had 19 points in 47 games last season, and he'll bring some NHL experience from his time with both the Vegas Golden Knights and Rangers as well.
Despite how deep the Rangers are up front, his role could change beyond being an extra forward on the bench. He projects to begin on the outside looking in, with Sam Carrick projecting to center the fourth line. If an injury or illness were to happen though, Jake Leschyshyn could be called upon to make an immediate impact.
Having been a physical player in the past and with experience from having Hartford teammates Jonny Brodzinski and Adam Edstrom earn regular spots in the lineup, Leschyshyn now has an even greater opportunity not only to make his presence offensively but to fill the void left by Matt Rempe as an overall physical force to be reckoned with even if he is a few inches shorter than Rempe.
The coaching staff led by Peter Laviolette, will probably look to Jake Leschyshyn stepping into a more aggressive role. With veteran forward Jimmy Vesey still on the shelf and no timeline for his return, Leschyshyn's call-up comes at a time when New York is seeking both depth and an extra edge on the ice. Leschyshyn's 77 games of NHL experience might grant him the poise to embrace an enforcer role while chipping in on the penalty kill and in the defensive zone.
In the end, Jake Leschyshyn's promotion to the Rangers offers him an excellent chance to develop into the enforcer role once manned by Matt Rempe.
Although his career up to now has been more about bottom-six forward duties with intermittent bursts of offense, the gritty nature of the game and the Rangers' need for toughness could see Leschyshyn answering the call in new ways. He does have the skill and muscle needed to make an impact with the Rangers and Golden Knights in the past, and makes him a candidate to bring both goals and grit; something New York desperately needs.
