Rempe played a better game in the AHL than in the NHL. With Hartford, he was still very aggressive, but he was a lot more controlled and could pick his spots somewhat. And he would focus more on parking in front of the net to cause havoc there, and we've seen he's very effective at that when he does it.
In the NHL he's totally out of control chasing every hit. His physicality is legitimately intimidating and can change the was other guys play when he's on the ice. Unfortunately I think opponents are learning that he skates like a freight train in that he moves fast and heavy in a straight line, but he literally cannot turn. You sidestep him and he's going to crash into the boards or he'll fall down. Somewhat reminiscent of Brendan Lemieux with the chasing of the play and falling constantly.
He's really going to need to a) improve the agility and b) stop chasing the play if he's going to be able to be more than a guy who can play for a handful of minutes each night. He has a long way to go. Age is on his side, but that doesn't necessarily mean he can make those changes.
As it currently stands I wouldn't be comfortable putting him out in a close game, or maybe at all in the playoffs where one mistake can cost you the series.
In the NHL he's totally out of control chasing every hit. His physicality is legitimately intimidating and can change the was other guys play when he's on the ice. Unfortunately I think opponents are learning that he skates like a freight train in that he moves fast and heavy in a straight line, but he literally cannot turn. You sidestep him and he's going to crash into the boards or he'll fall down. Somewhat reminiscent of Brendan Lemieux with the chasing of the play and falling constantly.
He's really going to need to a) improve the agility and b) stop chasing the play if he's going to be able to be more than a guy who can play for a handful of minutes each night. He has a long way to go. Age is on his side, but that doesn't necessarily mean he can make those changes.
As it currently stands I wouldn't be comfortable putting him out in a close game, or maybe at all in the playoffs where one mistake can cost you the series.