The new Blueshirt Era is here and things are going to happen soon. Trades. Also, salary dumplings and all else that Chris Drury has on his agenda.
But until that happens, it's time that the general manager and his new coach begin thinking about the now; what they have that is real; and how they can erase the nightmare of 2024-25.
And that's where Matt Rempe comes in – rather than goes out, as was the case under Peter Laviolette.
For the Rangers, Rempe is like a stock bought very cheap and very gradually is gaining in value, and has the potential to go through the roof.
Under Lavvy's rule, this NHL's biggest-heaviest player was like a human yo-yo – going up and down between Seventh Avenue and the Hartford Mall.
"The good thing about Matt," says The Old Scout, "is that he never complained. He was the good soldier no matter what and grateful for his NHL chances."
True enough but those chances were too few and too far between. Now the Large Calgarian's stock is in a position to climb and climb high if his true potential is realized. To wit:
1. SMARTS: He's got a good hockey head on his shoulders. He gets it; he does get it!
2. SKATING: At first, it looked like Rempe would trip over the blue line. But he's worked on his speed and stamina. We saw that near the end of the season.
3. SCORING: We've seen him capitalize on what precious few opportunities he's had. Connor McDavid, he is not, but he does have decent red light potential.
"The man who has to get the best out of Rempe is the coach," adds The Old Scout. "Sullivan has to understand fully what the kid can do."
There's no doubt in The Maven's Mind that the Blueshirts have the makings of a very solid, two-way game fourth liner.
Rempe, Adam Edstrom and Brennan Otthmann all are young, super-motivated and ideally designed for regular – repeat REGULAR – fourth-line work.
Moreover, they're at the age where the line can grow in the manner of the Islanders former "Identity Line" of Cal Clutterbuck, Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas which worked well for almost a decade.
In the Rangers case, Rempe is pivotal. But to be a factor, he has to here and now and eschew his "People's Choice" act and focus on playing and not getting suspended anymore.
Fighting is unnecessary and unproductive. Dumb, suspendable hits have to go; they'll get him tossed out of the lineup faster than you can say Flatiron Building.
"What it comes to," The Old Scout concludes, "is that Matt will have to focus – and I do mean concentrate – like he's never had to before.
"As much as the opportunity is there for him, so is the onus on Rempe to make it work."
Now it's up to Sullivan to realize what Matt can do for him as the boss and for the team as part of the overall rebuilding of the Blueshirts.
Sully has to start somewhere and Rempe is his "Get Out Of Jail Free" card. The Maven hopes he uses it wisely.
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