Mike Sullivan Breaks Down The Importance Of Having Matt Rempe On The New York Rangers Power Play Unit
Photo credit: Blueshirt Banter
The New York Rangers have placed their faith in Matt Rempe this postseason, as they signed him to a two-year deal. In addition to the new contract, he's found a new way to contribute to the team. NHL Insider Vince Mercogliano picked Mike Sullivan's brain today about Rempe's responsibility on the power-play.
The New York Rangers' 2nd power-play unit will look different this season.
Thanks to Mike Sullivan's insights, the towering power-forward will join the 2nd PP unit as a net-front presence, causing terror in the ranks of the opposition.
His sizable frame will be enough to screen the goalie and make life difficult for NHL defenseman, who will try to keep him out of the netminder's periphery.
Mike Sullivan explained his decision to USA Today's Vince Mercogliano:
«There are a lot of parts of Rempe's game that we really like,» Sullivan said. «If a player is just a five-on-five player, especially as a bottom-six player, if he doesn't participate on any sort of special teams, it's hard to find time for them, it's hard to find minutes, that has been my experience. For those reasons, we are trying to carve out roles for guys where we are trying to find pathways or opportunities for guys for them to grow their games and also make contributions to helping us win.
«Our intention was to try Remps at the net-front during the exhibition season. Well, we really liked what we've seen. He's a handful, I mean he's a giant. He's really strong, he makes the goaltenders' site very difficult. He's a handful for the defensemen at the net-front. I've been impressed with his stick skills, with his puck skills in those areas.»
«Our intention was to try Remps at the net-front during the exhibition season. Well, we really liked what we've seen. He's a handful, I mean he's a giant. He's really strong, he makes the goaltenders' site very difficult. He's a handful for the defensemen at the net-front. I've been impressed with his stick skills, with his puck skills in those areas.»
The New York Rangers Have Given Matt Rempe A Major Responsibility
This is a major change for Rempe, who has been plagued by multiple scratches over the past two seasons.
Since he's dedicated himself to turning his game around, he's found himself a fixture on the fourth line and slowly but surely gained the trust of Peter Laviolette.
His time in the bottom-six proved he was more than just an NHL enforcer, as he strives to be the same caliber of player as Adam Lowry, of the Winnipeg Jets.
Rempe remains part of the "Rempire Towers" line as he's been seen practicing during training camp with center Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom.
The power forward signed a new deal with the Rangers during the postseason and will serve as a fourth-liner again this season if we place him anywhere in the lineup.
Previously on NY Rangers Insider
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