If Matt Rempe wants to become more than just an enforcer, improving his skating must be his top priority.
Matt Rempe has launched his summer on the wrong foot; or should I say fists?
He's taking boxing lessons from former NHL toughie Georges Laraque and even posted a picture to prove it.
EROR, my good friend – ERROR.
Rempe, the largest player in the National Hockey League, should not be learning how to fight because we already know that he's two fisted and scary.
Scary because this Skating Giraffe already has the reach (he's 6-8) and weight (240) on just about anyone he chooses to beat up.
What Rempe should be doing is to fix the aspect of his game that needs the most work – skating.
Several NHL experts – not to mention scouts – have pointed out that the Rangers late-season phenom has a major weak area; he's a cockeyed skater.
His wide turns are ridiculous; not to mention other factors that inevitably come with the NHL's version of Gargantua. But his skating can be fixed and we've seen when and where it has previously failed.
It was apparent – especially in the playoffs – that coach Peter Laviolette has grave doubts about whether Rempe truly is a big-leaguer or just a one-trick pony whose act was getting more stale by the week.
So what if Laraque makes him a better fighter. Will that win hockey games for the Rangers? No what Lavvy wants is a smooth-skating hulk who could be a decent fourth-liner.
Forget about the fists, Matt. Do yourself and the Rangers a big favor and find a power skating instructor and make yourself more than The Garden's "Resident Goon."
