New York Rangers | Matt Rempe wants to pick his fights better

(Arlington, Va.) Matt Rempe left such a strong impression in his first NHL season that it’s almost surprising that he “only” fought five times.

In his first meeting with the New York Rangers, last February, the 6-foot-7 colossus threw down the gloves against Matt Martin. A few days later, he measured up against Nicolas Deslauriers and Mathieu Olivier, then Ryan Reaves. He calmed his ardor afterward, but nevertheless concluded the campaign with five duels in only seventeen games.

In retrospect, the question arises: Did Rempe fight too hard?

It’s not easy to answer. After all, there’s a lot less fighting in professional hockey than there was in a certain era, not so long ago.

In the last five full 82-game seasons, only one player has exceeded 200 penalty minutes; there were only nine in 2000-01, and 32 in 1990-91.

But as the effects of head blows become increasingly well-documented, and in light of the horror stories of former tough guys, many observers believe that every fight is one too many.

In any case, Matt Rempe has chosen his side. On Wednesday, during a press scrum, the question was asked directly: does he consider that he has thrown in the towel too often?

“Not at all!” he spontaneously replied. “In the American League, I never got more than nine fights. [dans une saison]. I was 21 when I came into the NHL last year and I wasn’t in a position to say no to legends like Martin or Deslauriers, who gave me these opportunities. I wanted to make the most of it. I don’t think I’m fighting too much.”

Two things can be said about his first campaign in New York. First, Rempe fought at a considerably higher pace than he did in the junior ranks and in the American League.

Then he did it at a greater pace than any of the league’s top brawlers. The sample size is relatively small, but in terms of both per-game average and ice time, he’s in a class of his own.

His own conditions

This leads Rempe to the conclusion that he will have to make better choices in 2024-2025.

More specifically, he wants to fight on his “own terms”: reduce the number of planned duels, better “read” situations and prioritize “defense of [ses] teammates”.

“I’m a physical player, things happen naturally,” he recalls. “I just have to be smart and make sure that [mes décisions] benefit the team.”

He wants his fights not to be in vain. “If we’re behind and we need energy,” for example. And not if his team “is up 3-0.” In short, “you just have to be smart.”

Does that mean he’ll turn down more invitations to waltz? That’s not clear. “I really like it!” he recalled. “I want to be a hockey player, but [les bagarres]it’s part of the game. It’s a good tool to have.”

So he wants to prove that he’s not in the NHL just to fight, which is probably easier said than done. When fans chanted his name at Madison Square Garden last year, it wasn’t in hopes that he’d score the Rangers’ next goal.

Matt Rempe was in the Washington suburb of Arlington on Wednesday for the NHL Rookie Showcase, an event organized by the players’ association in partnership with hockey card maker Upper Deck.

All the clubs had sent their most promising prospects, mainly first-round picks. In the middle of about thirty forwards and defensemen defined by their skating or puck-handling talent, the giant seemed alone on his island.

During the summer, he believes he made “great progress” to “become a better player.” He worked on his individual skills and his skating. Also on his boxing skills, in private sessions with Georges Laraque, “but just for three days.”

“I want to establish myself as an effective support forward who will play every game,” he said. “I want to use my physicality to protect the puck and hopefully play on the penalty kill. I want to be tough to play against and provide a presence in front of the net.”

In summary, he wants “teams to know that they will have to deal with [lui] every evening”.

To do this, he will have to spend more time on the ice. Which will not happen if he does not choose his fights better.