Post-Game Talk: Golden Slumbers

[will1066]

I don't think he just became some viral TikTok sensation, the most viewed player on social media; more than McDavid or Bedard and the crowd chanting his name and going nuts when he's just waived in to take a face-off; for nothing. He has an effect on the energy of the game, the crowd, the intimidation, the swagger the team plays with. Shesterkin talked about it in a podcast he was on. Laviolette said he'd never seen anything like Rempe. He brings joy. He is everything the Rangers missed. Yes I absolutely think having a player like that can make such a big difference and so far... the people on my side of this argument have been right. How long of a sample size until it's accepted? Should we change it up now that we're back to winning because you think we may be wrong? Or just enjoy the ride while we're winning?

Every time he made contact last night, he drew an ooh from the crowd -- on the road. Of course there were lots of Rangers fans there but it's definitely a Vegas home crowd.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Honestly haven't watched pretty much any hockey since like mid November because life got in the way but was like f*** it, it's late, painkillers kicked in so I'll turn on the game tonight. This team can't piss me off right now. Then I see everything you've said up there and I'm like "What has everybody been complaining about" but really, I too saw that swarming to the puckhandler and getting into passing/shooting lanes and general stuff on the d-side that this team doesn't do enough of.

Health issues are the worst. Hope things improve fast.

 

[Mike in Houston]

Lindy with the nicotine pouches in his locker.

Were they Skoal Bandits?

 

[TheWrongWay]

Not getting a high draft pick is a terrible outcome for this team.

Perhaps true, but I'm not certain how realistic an expectation that is.

They seem to be in that tweener zone, where they are not good enough to win a Cup and not bad enough to finish bottom of the barrel. Without shedding some skill and perhaps committing to a rebuild, which no one expects, they may hover in that tweener zone for the next few seasons.

So I try to enjoy wins and positives without much concern about where they might draft.

They don't exactly have a killer track record with top 10 picks anyway.

 

[kovazub94]

His compete level these past few weeks is night and day compared to the rest of his season.

Where has it been from the start? Whatever disappointment exists among fans towards him is completely of his own making. And also we used to laud Zibanejad for having 15-20 game stretches where he’d be on 2 ppg burners and now it’s about 5 points in 5 games? Call me unimpressed (that’s not to say that I don’t see the turnaround but he’s gotta show more to forget how he’s underperformed for pretty much 1.5 season prior to this)

 

[NYROrtsFan]

I think it's pretty clear that Rempe helps the team. Guys are scared of him. They know he can hurt them. It makes them antsy and error prone. It's almost like a pitcher that throws hard but is wild. Players are never comfortable against that.

Throw in the fact that he a very likable kid who seems to naturally lighten the mood around him, that's a positive with this group that seems to be somewhat fragile when it comes to mindset.

Also add in the point that he makes them play a bit more physical. These guys know they have him to step up and fight anyone. It takes that pressure off. The little bully in school always yapped a bunch more when the bigger, tougher friend was around.

Plus he's just on their minds. Last postseason after the Florida game, Tkachuk went right for Rempe of all people. We want the opposing players worried about anything else.

 

[TGWL]

I hope you placed your bets on NYR winning the cup a couple of weeks ago. Too late now with the win streak.

 

[leetch99]

I think it's pretty clear that Rempe helps the team. Guys are scared of him. They know he can hurt them. It makes them antsy and error prone. It's almost like a pitcher that throws hard but is wild. Players are never comfortable against that.

Throw in the fact that he a very likable kid who seems to naturally lighten the mood around him, that's a positive with this group that seems to be somewhat fragile when it comes to mindset.

Also add in the point that he makes them play a bit more physical. These guys know they have him to step up and fight anyone. It takes that pressure off. The little bully in school always yapped a bunch more when the bigger, tougher friend was around.

Plus he's just on their minds. Last postseason after the Florida game, Tkachuk went right for Rempe of all people. We want the opposing players worried about anything else.

Even a big big big attempted hit and miss is noticed LOL....the Dmen and wingers are watching that stuff and it is in their heads . There are actually not many that want any part of that ending ...a guy like Lindgren is that type who would give it no caution.....and we all know how that goes on his body . For those who have never played checking hockey....it really hurts when you get hit hard by a bigger guy or unexpectedly .

 

[mrmovies779]

Barbashev initiating a hit on The Borg and ending up on his ass was a thing of beauty too

 

[bhamill]

I've made this point already. But there is literally no logic to taking stats since his debut and not including stats from before his debut last season. This season is a small sample size where the team is playing much better defensively lately. Nothing to do with Rempe. Last season you and other Rempe Stans decided that only games since he entered the lineup counted but somehow the same team's wins from before he entered the lineup didn't count. Also do you really think that Rempe is solely responsible for a 25 game swing in the standings? I guarantee you that there is not one player that would be solely responsible for a 25 game swing in the standings in the NHL. No, not McDavid, not Kucherov, and not McKinnon.

Of course you are right, Rempe isn’t winning all of those games. BUT I think the inference can be made that his presence in the lineup is an overall positive, not the ridiculous detriment that his haters insist he is, that he certainly doesn’t cause the team to LOSE. Because they factually do less of that with him in the lineup.

 

[McRanger92]

Re-sign Borgen. He's looked every bit the top 4 D-man, as has Miller (outside of the usual bonehead plays). Lindgren and Smith can get you plenty as rentals. Another 2+3+5 gives us 10 picks in and at least one in every round this upcoming draft. That's exciting from what I've seen with this regime.

This is the team for the next ~20 so games. I think theyve stemmed the tide enough to not have trades hanging over their heads. Chytil should be back soon and maybe Kreider too. That's going to be a telling moment for me. If Kreider comes back and the overall play slips, that would concern me. I am worried hes going to get put right back on the PP, which has been moving the puck great with Laf on it. And Cuylle has made the Mika Smith line dangerous with his speed and power.

I have felt for a couple months now that Kreider might be the odd man out here. Definitely since the Trouba trade.Longtime Ranger who is a bit square pegged with the current team. Mike Gartner, Ryan Callahan, etc. We've seen it before. Ive been pessimistic on his injury but if he's healthy ar four nations and plays well, I think he's gone at the deadline. If we can trade him for an equal caliber C or D, thats a game changer going forward.

Barbashev initiating a hit on The Borg and ending up on his ass was a thing of beauty too

We need a Barbashev. Or Lehkonen. Difference makers in the middle 6. I miss Fast.

 

[rangerlp]

Did like the Rangers have amnesia for two months and learned how to play defense again?

 

[duhmetreE]

If this is Borgen, you have to resign him

 

[McRanger92]

It's quite easy to believe in this team when Igor is himself and the effort is maxed.

If this is Borgen, you have to resign him

No brainer but a lot of people here will be too proud to admit he's a much more impactful player than Kakko. Plus we got to mid round picks which we do well with. I think Borgen gets 4 years on the open market though.

 

[duhmetreE]

Did like the Rangers have amnesia for two months and learned how to play defense again?

I'm assuming there was a tweak to the gameplan because they are finally attacking and not being flat footed reactive

 

[JohnC]

The whole Rempe thing is interesting to me.

On the one hand, he plays limited minutes, and with the puck on his stick I don’t have the confidence that he’s going to make the right play yet. Especially in the D zone. But he’s young.

On the other hand, people just looking at stats and charts or criticizing him because he’s not ready are ignoring the impact of energy and camaraderie on a hockey team don’t understand a team concept or are ignoring it. I can agree with the argument that the kid needs another year plus of seasoning at least, individually. But he definitely brings an element to the team that raises the overall play. And it’s a valuable impact, no question in my mind.

Matt Rempe is a hockey player for people that believe in essential oils

 

[I Eat Crow]

I have to give the coaching staff credit for the last few games.

They went back to the 1-3-1 and team defense looks solid.

 

[LOFIN]

The whole Rempe thing is interesting to me.

On the one hand, he plays limited minutes, and with the puck on his stick I don’t have the confidence that he’s going to make the right play yet. Especially in the D zone. But he’s young.

On the other hand, people just looking at stats and charts or criticizing him because he’s not ready are ignoring the impact of energy and camaraderie on a hockey team don’t understand a team concept or are ignoring it. I can agree with the argument that the kid needs another year plus of seasoning at least, individually. But he definitely brings an element to the team that raises the overall play. And it’s a valuable impact, no question in my mind.

I don't think that many people actually have that big of an issue with how he plays as the 12th forward. Their impact is limited anyway, and we are not contending for a cup here.

People have issue with his dumb penalties, and he really needs to learn. Instead of trying to blow up every guy, just be a physical presence at the opposing net after the whistle. Yap from the bench. Make a few clean, hard hits, don't go looking for the highlight ones because his size alone will be enough.

 

[DelZottoHitTheNetJK]

This team is gonna go on a tear, self rent all their guys they should be trading and become buyers at the deadline only to get dummied by the Florida Tax-Frees in round 1. Love the NHL

 

[NickyFotiu]

Of course you are right, Rempe isn’t winning all of those games. BUT I think the inference can be made that his presence in the lineup is an overall positive, not the ridiculous detriment that his haters insist he is, that he certainly doesn’t cause the team to LOSE. Because they factually do less of that with him in the lineup.

That is logical. The Rempe effect does not mean we will go 25-5 with him in the lineup. The Rempe is that he does enough that his guys feel more comfortable and the other team feels uncomfortable. That is why he is a positive. I also think he is a young personable guy that probably lightens the mood in the locker room. I think it makes sense to keep playing him as long as he does not hurt the team. His attitude alone is something this team needs more of imo.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Very solid performance all around. First 40 were excellent.

Said it in the GDT but games like this just further piss me off bc this is what they were capable of all season. They’re much better than they’ve played and should’ve been an easy playoff team. We’ll see if they put themselves too far back.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I don't think that many people actually have that big of an issue with how he plays as the 12th forward. Their impact is limited anyway, and we are not contending for a cup here.

People have issue with his dumb penalties, and he really needs to learn. Instead of trying to blow up every guy, just be a physical presence at the opposing net after the whistle. Yap from the bench. Make a few clean, hard hits, don't go looking for the highlight ones because his size alone will be enough.

That is the goal. That is something he already knows and I think he will be working on. Rempe has made some mistakes but he also has been a marked man. He has not gotten the benefit of the doubt too often. I think he can overcome things though. Its hard when his elbows are at other guys head level.

 

[will1066]

Very solid performance all around. First 40 were excellent.

Said it in the GDT but games like this just further piss me off bc this is what they were capable of all season. They’re much better than they’ve played and should’ve been an easy playoff team. We’ll see if they put themselves too far back.

Can't really say this is what they've been capable of because roughly a third of the nightly lineup is different than what it was and not to mention the combinations.

Borgen in particular is a vast improvement over Trouba, and he hasn't even gotten his zone exits perfected yet.

 

[80s Kid]

Of course you are right, Rempe isn’t winning all of those games. BUT I think the inference can be made that his presence in the lineup is an overall positive, not the ridiculous detriment that his haters insist he is, that he certainly doesn’t cause the team to LOSE. Because they factually do less of that with him in the lineup.

Is it possible to compare the analytics of the entire team with and without Rempe? Maybe this is the bridge we're looking for.

I understand correlation doesn't necessarily equal causation but the sample size is growing and hard to ignore.

I'm not an expert but isn't the point of analytics trying to identify metrics that are more or less indicative of styles of hockey that can win games?

With Rempe, it's as if he's cutting the Gordian knot and bypassing traditional analytics metrics and going straight to the Win column.

I say this as someone who finds analytics interesting and useful but far from perfect.

 

[will1066]

I have to give the coaching staff credit for the last few games.

They went back to the 1-3-1 and team defense looks solid.

It's like a mix of 1-3-1 and 1-2-2 to me. But it seems like the players aren't as confused where to go than before, finally.