NY Rangers' Matt Rempe tries to shake reputation but refuses to be 'a big teddy bear'
COLUMBUS, Ohio − Shortly after seeing a replay of the phantom interference penalty adjudged against Matt Rempe on Thursday, the referee who called it skated over and apologized.
"He came up and said it just looked bad from his angle, but he said that he made a mistake," Rempe said following Rangers' optional practice Friday at Nationwide Arena. "But (everybody) makes mistakes like that. That's what happens. It is what it is."
The apology didn't prevent the Minnesota Wild from scoring the tying goal on the ensuing power play, although it was easier to forgive after New York rallied for a much-needed 3-2 overtime win.
But it's impossible to ignore the trend, with this being the second consecutive game Rempe was whistled for a critical third-period penalty that quite clearly never occurred.
It happened in Tuesday's 2-1 loss in Winnipeg, when Jets forward Morgan Barron pushed the 22-year-old rookie into Connor Hellebuyck, yet Rempe was charged with goalie interference, and then again on Thursday, when Wild forward Devin Shore skated into an unsuspecting Rempe and crumbled to the ice to draw the call.
"I don't agree with the calls," he admitted. "On that one last game, the guy just ran into me. I didn’t see him, but I know I’m a big guy who plays a physical game."
At a menacing 6-foot-9 with six fights through 48 career NHL games and an average of 22.07 hits per 60 minutes that ranks third in the league this season, Rempe understands he can be "a polarizing figure" and always seems to take the high road in these situations.
He knows he's contributed to that reputation with a few hits that crossed the line, including two that resulted in suspensions. He had another close call when he accidentally elbowed Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg while bracing for the boards on Mar. 2, but he's otherwise played a much cleaner game of late.
Yet, his past offenses seem to hover over every shift. That's added to the Rangers' frustration about the two most recent penalties, which head coach Peter Laviolette indicated they've been in touch with the NHL about.
"There’s always conversations that go on," he said. "The game happens fast out there, but with regard to Matt, we're just trying to get him the benefit of the doubt once in a while."
Rempe said Laviolette and the coaching staff have been "great and supportive" in response to the highly questionable infractions, encouraging him to continue along the path he's trending.
The Calgary native has been more than just a big goon in recent weeks. He's appeared in 26 straight games since returning from his most recent suspension, with the Rangers outscoring opponents 10-4 while he's on the ice over that span.
He's not only providing an imposing forecheck and making opposing defensemen think twice before retrieving a puck along the wall, but he's noticeably increased his possession rates and offensive-zone time. His average of 3.63 individual high-danger scoring chances per 60 ranks third among the team's regulars since his return, according to Natural Stat Trick, and he's been a highly disruptive screening presence at the net front.
"I’m coming along a lot more," Rempe said. "I think I’m having the puck on my stick every game for great sequences in the O zone. I just work on that a lot, and I want to continue to do that. Because like I've said before, I want to eventually, one day, be a really good power forward."
That's all helped him stay in the lineup without feeling like he needs to drop the gloves to prove his worth.
Rempe has only had two fights in 31 games this season, with the focus now on showing he has more than just fists to offer.
"I’m going to be physical every game, and if a hit crosses the line and it’s something I’ve got to answer for, then that’s what happens," he said. "But there’s no more staged fight, per se. I feel like I did that and established myself with that."
There's still a lot of polishing to be done around the edges, but this has been the most effective stretch since his debut a little over a year ago.
Laviolette remains dubious about using him late in close games, which is at least partially motivated by fear of a costly penalty, but the trust has been expanding little by little. And while Rempe says he's "mindful" of the target on his back from officials, he insists it won't deter him.
"I'm still getting lots of hits every game, but I'm making sure they aren’t from behind and my elbow’s tucked − just because I know if I do that, then that's gonna get me in trouble," he said. "But my game has to lead with speed and physicality. When I'm doing that, that means I'm gonna be around the puck. That means I’m gonna be making plays, and everything builds from that. If I start going around and trying to be cautious, that’s not me. That’s not my game.
"The furthest thing I want to be is a big teddy bear."
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the Paste BN Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.