Matt Rempe’s return to the New York Rangers lineup Thursday night was met with harsh criticism from former NHL defenseman Jordan Schmaltz, who called him “the worst player in the League.”
The Rangers managed to pull off a 3-2 overtime victory against the New Jersey Devils, but Rempe’s performance was notably quiet in his first game back from an eight-game suspension.
That suspension came after a dangerous hit on Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen, and it seems to have changed Rempe’s approach to the game.
“I’ve got to be a lot smarter,” Rempe admitted before the game. “I don’t have to make every hit if that makes sense. I’m a marked man right now. I’ve got to keep it clean.”
The stakes were high for this division rivalry matchup. Only five points separate the Columbus Blue Jackets in fourth place from the Philadelphia Flyers in eighth, making every game crucial for playoff positioning.
Rempe’s struggle to make an impact without his signature physical play was evident throughout the night. He seemed hesitant and almost invisible on the ice, highlighting the challenge he faces in reinventing his game.
Schmaltz didn’t hold back in his assessment of Rempe’s abilities.
“I say this with all due respect, which is always followed by something very disrespectful, but is Matt Rempe pound for pound, skill for skill, the worst hockey player in the entire league?” Schmaltz said. “Look the kid can chuck em. He’s nails. But my god the puck skills and skating aren’t perfect.”
The Rangers’ win helped mask some of these concerns, but questions remain about how effectively Rempe can contribute while playing a more controlled style of hockey.
