Putting The Rempe Rumpus In Perspective

The fuss over Matt Rempe won't go away now nor possibly forever.

To a lifelong journalist such as The Maven it's amazing that a maybe-fourth-liner is attracting the kind of attention obtained for a future Hall of Famer such as Steven Stamkos or, for that matter, Sidney Crosby.

Even when I write about Rempe in the summertime it gets a REACTION – both pro and con.

When I suggested a few weeks ago that Matt drop his ridiculous boxing lessons and focus on his weakness – skating – the uproar went both ways as if I was discussing Connor McDavid.

But why?

Simple; he's a special character in many ways:

1. He's by far the biggest player in the league – both height and weight.

2. He started a fight in front of 79,000 fans during the Islanders-Rangers outdoor game, giving him massive, instant recognition.

3. Rempe is physically attractive – one might even say, sexy.

4. Likewise, he's rambunctious on the ice – always visible – yet cool, calm and collective off the ice.

5. The media instantly picked up on his STORY nor has it stopped. Otherwise I wouldn't be wasting your time with these words.

What matters between now and next June is what Rempe will amount to as a Ranger.

It's possible that he'll make the team and it's just as possible that he'll be demoted to Hartford from whence he came.

Here's how I'd handle him if I were Peter Laviolette or, for that matter, Chris Drury.

I would make him a permanent Ranger fourth-liner. His job description would include:

1. Play your heart out.

2. Avoid penalties as much as possible.

3. Don't get suckered into needless fights.

4. But fight if you KNOW you have to fight.

5. Forecheck like mad but do the same with backchecks.

6. Screen the enemy goalie without laying a hand on him.

7. Do exactly what Lavvy wants you to do.

Follow those seven points and you're a regular Rangers fourth-liner. Beats being in Hartford!