The New York Rangers made an unexpected decision concerning Matt Rempe after his poor performance with the Hartford Wolfpack in the AHL.
Last week, the Rangers controversially assigned Rempe to the AHL following a difficult start to the season. Though he worked on his skills over the summer with teammate and mentor Chris Kreider, he had limited opportunities to demonstrate his progress, as he was a healthy scratch in all but two games, during which he logged just 3:40 and 7:37 of ice time. Instead of keeping him inactive, the management opted to send him to the AHL for more playing time.
In an unexpected development, the Rangers announced today that they have recalled him to the NHL.
According to Renaud Lavoie:
Many fans were taken aback by Rempe’s recall after such a brief and uneventful spell in the AHL. In his two games, the 6’9″ forward failed to register any points, recorded two shots on goal, and ended with a -3 rating. Meanwhile, Jake Leschychyn, who took Rempe’s spot in the Rangers lineup, was reassigned to the Wolfpack after being a healthy scratch against the Anaheim Ducks.
Having a player like Rempe in the lineup requires the opposing team to adjust its strategy. His presence on the ice can intimidate opponents, prompting them to dispose of the puck quickly, which can lead to scoring opportunities. Additionally, Rempe can infuse his bench with energy by playing a physical game.
The Rangers are gearing up for a crucial match against the Washington Capitals. This will mark their first encounter since Ovechkin’s team was eliminated in the first round of last year’s playoffs. A loss for New York could put the Capitals just one point behind in the Metropolitan Division, while a victory would elevate the Rangers to first place, surpassing the New Jersey Devils.
