New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe is facing significant backlash from NHL fans following his high elbow to Nashville Predators defenseman Nick Blankenburg on Sunday night.
The incident occurred during the first period at Madison Square Garden, leaving Blankenburg visibly shaken and prompting an immediate fight between Rempe and Andreas Englund.
Replays showed Blankenburg’s head jerking back into the glass, which raised concerns over the severity of the hit and the possibility of a suspension from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
Many fans expressed their outrage on social media, calling for a lengthy suspension. Some even suggested that Rempe should be banned from the league due to his actions. One user on X wrote, “He needs to be expelled from this league,” while another called for a “permanent suspension.” On the other hand, a more balanced fan pointed out Rempe’s size and approach to the game, stating,
“He’s just a little clumsy. It doesn’t look like he’s trying to be dirty, but he just doesn’t have good body control.” Another fan referred to Rempe’s history with questionable hits and suspensions, suggesting a suspension for the rest of the season and playoffs, if the Rangers make it.
Rempe’s past history of dangerous play contributed to the criticism. Last season, he was suspended for four games for elbowing New Jersey Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler.
Earlier this season, he served an eight-game suspension for an illegal check on Dallas Stars’ Miro Heiskanen. After that suspension, Rempe acknowledged his mistakes, saying, “I’ve got to be a lot smarter. I’m a marked man right now. I’ve got to keep it clean.”
Despite the controversy, Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette defended Rempe after the game. “Remps is just such a big man. He was forechecking,” Laviolette explained. “When he hits, he’s just higher than everybody else.
I don’t think he hit him, I think he maybe grazed him a little bit. I think it was more of a miss. That’s his game, but he’s got to do it within the rules.”
Some fans supported Laviolette’s view, arguing that Rempe gets penalized just for being tall and playing the game aggressively.
Although the Rangers won the game 4-0, Rempe’s actions have overshadowed the victory. With the NHL likely reviewing the incident, another suspension for the enforcer could be on the horizon. Despite the controversy, the win brought the Rangers to 64 points, just two behind the Detroit Red Wings for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
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