Has come under fire from critics: Matt Rempe © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / BRUCE BENNETT

Rangers in crisis: Now there is the next unrest

The New York Rangers are currently the biggest problem child in the NHL: Results are not coming, internal unrest is shaking the team, the fans are angry - and now there is also a problem player. His name is Matt Rempe.

22 December 2024

From: leo

The New York Rangers are one of the most popular teams in the NHL as part of the Original Six. Since its founding in 1926, the club from the Big Apple has only won four Stanley Cups - most recently in 1994. In recent years, the Americans have come closer and closer to a major triumph. This year, the spell should finally be broken. But Artemi Panarin & Co. are currently far from that, as after 32 games they are outside of a playoff spot.

The fans have already identified the culprit: General Manager Chris Drury. The 48-year-old caused a stir with the trade of captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim. Last week, former number 2 pick Kaapo Kakko also left the club for Seattle. Drury gave goalie Igor Shesterkin a record contract of $92 million. These decisions were intended to establish last season's regular season winner at the top of the NHL. But up to this point, they have had the exact opposite effect. The Rangers have lost eleven of their last 15 games.

Rempe's fuses blow

On Friday they won 3-1 against the Dallas Stars, but they still made negative headlines. Matt Rempe, one of the few enforcers in the NHL, was sent off with a match penalty for the fourth time in his career (in 22 games). He had only been promoted from the AHL farm team the day before. In Dallas, Rempe elbowed defenseman Miro Heiskanen from behind against the boards.

As was announced on Saturday, the repeat offender was invited to a personal hearing. This is only arranged if an action is so serious that it could result in a suspension of more than five games.

It is uncertain how severe the punishment will be. What is certain is that fans and experts are calling for Rempe to be taken out of action for a long time in order to teach the 22-year-old a lesson. It is also certain that this will hardly calm the mood at the crisis-ridden club.