To a certain extent I agree with your sentiment. The problem is if a guy like that continuously crosses a line. Eventually his own team will get fed up with it, either when their own players start getting run and or he consitetnly puts the team in a bad spot penalty wise.
Right, I agree, but let's remember that this is slated to be his first suspension.
He got a very unfair reputation because he hit Bastian when Bastian was admiring the puck. Yes, he did damage to Bastian. The player being hit also has an obligation to not put himself in jeopardy to get his face destroyed. Can't just blame the hitter. People made that out to be something it wasn't. Not even close to a suspendable hit. The fact he got a match penalty was ridiculous. It was 2 minutes for charging at most. Arguably a clean hit if you take the emotion out of it and just look at the mechanics of the hit.
The Lybushkin hit was worse, but also nowhere close to suspension worthy. I think a bigger deal is made of it than it would otherwise be because it's Toronto, the guy unfortunately got injured, and the refs likely missed a penalty. It was probably like a two minute charging call. Again, these aren't plays he should get suspended for. Fourth liners who play a very physical game are going to commit some penalties. These really aren't plays that should have caused the ire they did. These hits happen every game. Rempe can't be more liable than others because he's 6'9 and his hits have more potential force to unintentionally hurt opponents.
People have also made a big deal about him so far for a lot of things that aren't hits. The staged fights with the enforcers who have nothing else to add like Reaves and co aren't anything that people should dislike about him. It's these thirsty veterans trying to use a rookie to fulfill their contribution. I don't like staged fights either, but that's not really on him.
And it's a no-win. People were mad he turned down a staged fight with Macdermid at the beginning of this game for a completely overblown hit in a previous game. If he takes the staged fight, he'd be even more disliked and this website would have more Rempe discussion.
Part of why he's such a lightning rod is that he's been very productive so far for what his role is. Much more so than the average fourth liner. 10 games into his career at age 21. He looks like a real legit NHL player who can contribute outside of all the antics.
