Rangers Have Conversation With Matt Rempe About Avoiding Dirty Hits

Matt Rempe is finally set to return for the New York Rangers on Thursday night for their matchup against the New Jersey Devils.

The 22-year-old was suspended eight games for his hit on Miro Heiskanen.

While Rempe needs to continue to play a physical brand of hockey, Peter Laviolette talked with the young forward about being careful going forward, especially when it comes to his hits.

“I don’t know if he’s trying to do too much,” Laviolette said. “I think part of his game is physicality, but … [getting suspended] hasn’t happened at the American Hockey League level and it’s happened here. So those are things that we talk to him about, about playing a cleaner game. And even prior to that happening, we had more conversations about it, just the way he needs to play. But he also has to make sure that he brings his game.”

Following this lengthy suspension, Rempe has been able to do some reflecting and understands that tweaking his play style is necessary.

“I gotta still play my game, but it can’t happen again or else it’s going to be a huge suspension,” Rempe said. “I gotta be a lot smarter, I don’t have to make every hit if that makes sense. I gotta be able to pick my hits… I gotta be a bit more controlled.”

“If there is any way in doubt, I should veer on the side of caution for now. I’m a marked man right now, so I gotta keep it clean.”

Rempe needs to keep being Rempe, but there is a fine line between playing physical and playing dirty.

That’s what Rempe will need to learn if he wants to become an everyday NHL player.