History shows Matt Rempe needs to get his game under control

For a player with just 33 combined games across parts of two seasons playing on Broadway for the New York Rangers, his second suspension in such a short amount of time should raise alarm bells.

Rempe's career pace of 354 penalties in minutes (PIM) per 82 games wouldn't have put him out of place in the 1980's and 1990's. By today's standards, he's a man out of time. Only three players this century have finished a season with more than 300 PIM — Zenon Konopka the most recent in 2010-11 with the New York Islanders.

Rempe may not get the chance to reach that ignominious mark if he isn't available to dress. In just 22 career regular-season games, Rempe, who averages only 5:46 a night, now has four game misconducts and two suspensions to his name.

Despite the limited playing time, teammates and opponents alike have lauded his impact. The Rangers went 14-2-1 in the 17 regular season games he appeared in last season.

It's a disappointing next chapter in the Rempe saga. Rempe hadn't played in the NHL since Nov. 25. But with the recent trade of Kaapo Kakko, the Rangers opened up a roster spot to potentially change the nature and make-up of their bottom six forward group. His start Friday in Dallas might have been the best of his career — drawing four penalties and creating three power plays as an effective forechecker for the Rangers before he was tossed from the game for a dangerous hit on Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen.

Some players grow out of this. Tom Wilson, though still one of the most hated players in the league by opposing fanbases, has endeared himself to Capitals fans for his physical play in Washington. It's cost him plenty, most recently a six-game suspension last season for high-sticking Noah Gregor. 

Wilson developed into an effective goal scorer in Washington and is on pace for his fourth 20-goal season in his nine-year career. 

Rempe, so far, has brought little offensive upside along with his physical game. He has just two points in 22 career regular-season games. 

His ability as a dangerous forechecker who can intimidate below the goal line is one of several reasons hockey analysts like what Rempe could contribute to a team — if he can get his game under control.

No suspension of eight games or more has been handed out since the NHL suspended then Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri during the 2021 playoffs. 

With each additional incident, Rempe only hurts his team and puts a target on his back. The question now is if the Rangers, 4-12 in their last 16 with the worst record in the NHL since Nov. 20 and in desperate need of the type of spark Rempe provided last season, can continue to tolerate this type of dangerous play that risks the health of players while negatively impacting the outcome of games.