After trading Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken, the New York Rangers recalled Matt Rempe.
This move is no coincidence. The Rangers have lost their identity and are in desperate need of a spark.
Rempe is a player who could help boost the Rangers’ locker room morale and bring an element of toughness that they are in dire need of.
When the Rangers called up Rempe last season, his presence brought an excitement to the team and despite not recording many points, the team was winning when he was in the lineup.
Right now, there is not much to be excited about in New York. The Rangers have lost 11 out of their last 14 games with their struggles beginning to spiral out of control.
The Rangers are not a team the opposition fears to play, but Rempe and his physical nature can help change that.
Off the ice, Rempe’s larger-than-life personality will bring some positivity to a locker room that has been filled with negativity and tension amid constant trade rumors.
In all likelihood, the 22-year-old enforcer won’t play a huge role, but just having him around will give this team a jolt of life.
At Madison Square Garden, the fans roar in cheers virtually anytime Rempe does anything of significance and the Rangers could certainly use energy from the crowd as the boo birds continue to get louder and louder during home games.
If utilized correctly, Rempe could be a valuable piece for the franchise, so let’s hope the Rangers get it right with him this time.
