Ryan Reaves makes some surprising remarks about Rangers rookie Matt Rempe following their epic scrap
After 14 NHL seasons, I'd like to think that Ryan Reaves knows a thing or two from his lived experience in the National Hockey League. He's fought some of the toughest customers the NHL has had to offer over his lengthy NHL career, but there's something about Matt Rempe that he just can't help but respect.
Reaves and Rempe dropped the gloves and went to war in the 3rd period of Saturday's Leafs/Rangers game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and the fans got what they paid for, as the two stood and traded for nearly a minute at center ice.
Despite giving up over 5 inches in height and 20-30 lbs in weight in the fight, Reaves took the decision after landing some heavy shots, with Rempe throwing in the towel late in the bout, appearing to mouth the words "I'm done". However, this kid is anything but a quitter. He has fought in 5 of his 7 NHL games and even came into Saturday's game in Toronto sporting a black and blue eye, a cut on his nose and a split lip. Still, it didn't stop him from answering the bell against Reaves, one of the toughest players in the game.
This morning, following practice, Reaves was asked about his 3rd period scrap with Rempe on Saturday. It became very clear very quickly that Rempe had earned Reavo's respect this weekend. Reavo told the media on Monday that his tilt with Rempe might have been the longest fight of his career, adding that it had him so amped up that he couldn't sleep until 6:30am.
Then, obviously, he buries [Ilya Lyubushkin], whenever it was, so I thought that was an appropriate time to ask, and good on him for doing it. He's a big boy.
It was almost cool to see because it shows that fighting's not dead within the sport. People still kind of get amped up for it."
He also had a message for the rest of the teams in the NHL.
Rempe is just 21 years old and if he can round out the details of his game, he stands a pretty good chance of sticking around for a long time because of the way he plays the game, combined with his very unique build. There aren't many players out there who are nearly 6'8 and play the game with the ferocity that Rempe plays with. Reaves took notice and I'm sure others will too.
| POLL | ||
4 MARS | 391 ANSWERS Ryan Reaves makes some surprising remarks about Rangers rookie Matt Rempe following their epic scrap Do you think Matt Rempe is going to be a mainstay in the NHL? | ||
| Not a chance | 123 | 31.5 % |
| Only if he can develop his skills | 209 | 53.5 % |
| Yes, he might even be the next great enforcer | 59 | 15.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
