From Vince:
"Don’t expect to see Matt Rempe attempt to fill the role, either. The 6-foot-9 fan favorite has played some center since his recent demotion to Hartford, but word is that he’s struggled with zero points and a minus-six rating in six appearances. The Rangers want him getting regular AHL ice time and see him as a winger whenever he does make his NHL return."
This is not about "instant gratification", it's about who is the more capable player at this stage and it's not even close. The NHL is not a developmental league and Rempe isn't going to develop into anything worthwhile playing 3-5 minutes a night and having other team's goons looking for a spark for their team.
Vesey can PK. Vesey can be a defensive forward. Vesey has exceptional scoring hands for a 4th line. Vesey can slot up in case of an injury. Vesey has experience. Vesey is cost controlled. Vesey is a VERY capable 4th liner.
Vesey > Rempe.
The only thing we "learn with the bern" is that he slots players into unrealistic positions, proposes ludicrous trades, and thinks XYZ prospect is going to be the next thing and they never even become A thing at all.
1. I am not speaking to what is, but what should be.
2. Vince reporting this is moot. It is fair to ask to what extent he is shilling for mgmt
3. As to the core issue:
a) Rempe is bigger, faster, stronger, longer reach. He has WAY more upside, which only needs to be developed. To be kicking it to the max, team needs to develop Rempe asap, not squander in the A.
It is established premise in all sports that if everything else is (close to) equal, the good big man defeats the good little man. A variant proving your point could be in baseball, 2 guys similar size, or even one larger, but the smaller one has much better hand/eye coordination.
In this case, whatev upside Vesey has based on his experience is not huge, and it is in limited areas. He is not way superior in hand-eye coordination to use that analogy.
Rempe, not Vesey, is the better north-south skater by a lot. As to East-West, it is close.
As to technique, sure there is room to improve Rempe, but he is not the utter failure you infer he is (e..g., Lias Andersson).
b) Rempe has "struggled" with poor offensive output.
Who the eff has he been playing with?
He is not a finisher. It took Kreider years to develop both an overall offensive game and also into a PP specialist based on tip ins. Rempe already has in front of the net dominance, he needs to learn tips in, and would best be served by getting that directly from Kreider. He can screen shots otherwise, but unlike NYR varsity, his A linemates are not accelerating his development. Kindly admit to that reality.
No one is saying put this kid in top 6 immediately if not necessary. He is fully sufficient to be an effective bottom 6 guy now, with upside.
c) The kid has a right to be disappointed after all the hard work put in over the summer and wowing everyone with his speed/power skating, which was first or close to first on the team, but has gotten the short shrift b'c irrational, stupid preference to vets.
d) Setting aside rest of the year, this team needs to have size for the POs. Edstrom is a good add to Kreider, but it is not enuf. Rempe playing full 4th line mins [10ish per nite] is the way to go.
Vesey can PK.
so can Rempe
Vesey can be a defensive forward.
so can Rempe
Vesey has exceptional scoring hands for a 4th line.
I don't know about "exceptional" particularly given eye test applied to his career, but yeah, he's got more touch. So what? It's a coupla goals. Does not overwhelm/offset other aspects.
Vesey can slot up in case of an injury.
JV can emergency slot but he is not a true top 6 guy, let's not make more or less of him than what he is. Both are currently bottom 6 material in a vacuum and w/effective kid line for 3rd line, really are 4th liners.
Vesey has experience.
Yes. But lack of an abundance of talent and natural gifts only gets you so far,
Vesey is cost controlled.
So is Rempe
Vesey is a VERY capable 4th liner.
JV is fully capable 4th liner. Rempe is currently adequately ++ capable, with more upside, which overrides that.
Vesey > Rempe.
Nope.
Rempe > Vesey and long term IAEC
bottom line is not immediate, but to build, but even going short term this yr, Vesey does zip for us vs Panthers
same is not true as to Rempe
