The giant, 6’7, 240-pound Calgary native Matt Rempe has become popular with Blueshirts fans over the course of his partial 2023-24 rookie season and playoffs. But the young man is now not only drawing the attention of fans, but the attention and even wise guidance of former enforcers. So, let’s cover a former enforcer’s thoughts on Rempe as well as the young star’s scoring and physical play potential aside from just getting better at fights.
Matt Rempe Predictions for 2024-25 Season
Following his rookie season, the 22-year-old appears to be blossoming into a playing role that some say is dwindling. But with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the 2023-24 season, Rempe recorded eight goals and four assists (12 points) in 43 games. He also had a 17.8 shooting percentage off 45 shots. The logic is simple, if he plays more games with the Rangers, can he use his physicality and presence to score more? And make already loyal fans go nuts?
Rempe played only 17 NHL regular-season games in 2023-24, and scored a goal and an assist in those games. He also notched 50 hits. He racked up 71 penalty minutes in that short time, and averaged only 05:38 of ice time per game. Peter Baugh of The Athletic predicted that Rempe would play 58 games in the 2024-25 season and notch four goals and three assists (seven points). It is simple – if Rempe plays more NHL games and gets more ice time, the huge forward may score more. His size will help him, being an on-ice presence that boosts the confidence of his teammates by being there for them.
Matt Rempe 2023-24 Season & Playoff Highlights
Firstly, Matt Rempe got into 12 fights in the 2023-24 regular season, the first seven in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack, and the next five in the NHL. Former enforcer Georges Laraque watched intently as Matt Rempe got into multiple fights. Laraque played for the Edmonton Oilers, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins and Montreal Canadiens. The enforcer took part in 159 fights throughout his time in the NHL.
On February 18, 2024, Rempe made NHL history by being the first player to make his League debut in an outdoor game. The game was against the New York Islanders and in front of 79,690 fans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“That would be unreal, a [heck] of a story,” Rempe said a couple days before the game, according to the NHL. “It would be unbelievable.”
During this game, Rempe was successful in a fight against the Isles Matt Martin.
Subsequently, on Feb. 24, 2024, Rempe was in a heavyweight fight with Philadelphia Flyers left-winger Nicolas Deslauriers. This fight took place during a game at the Wells Fargo Center. Both suffered some punishment.
Matthew Rempe vs Nicolas Deslauriers Feb 24, 2024 (youtube.com)
But the next day, Rempe lost a fight against Columbus Blue Jackets right-winger Mathieu Olivier at Nationwide Arena in Ohio. It was after this fight that Laraque wanted to contact him.
Matt Rempe vs Mathieu Olivier Feb 25, 2024 (youtube.com)
Matt Rempe Fighting Improvement
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, he’s getting hit way too much because he has no technique,’ ” Laraque told The New York Post. “And then after a few fights, his face, he had black eyes and everything. After [the] Olivier [fight], when it kind of went a bit bad, I was like, ‘OK, I have to reach out to him.’ Because he was so good for the league.”
The Post reported in July that Rempe and Laraque messaged each other not long after this and the veteran enforcer and Montreal native gave Rempe some tips. Later, on March 2, 2024, Rempe faced Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves at Scotiabank Arena – where the then 21-year-old did much better.
But Rempe and Laraque took it a step further in July, meeting at the Silent Ice Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. Over three days, they trained 90 minutes a day on numerous fighting skills to help Rempe’s career last long. A short Rempe career due to injury would be devastating, since the young star has so much potential not only as an enforcer but as a large, strong and physical player who could bolster scoring. Plus, with the pointers Laraque gave him, he will bring toughness and grit to the Blueshirts roster in the upcoming season.
Main Photo: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
