We’re 13 games into the New York Rangers season and the Rangers are a very average 6-5-2. Considering how terribly they’ve played at home, it’s hard to complain about the overall record. Still, a team with Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox playing excellent hockey at premier positions should have higher expectations. Regardless, there are some New York Rangers stories that have yet to reap rewards that haven’t necessarily been discussed in detail just yet.

Matt Rempe’s role

One of those lesser talked New York Rangers stories is regarding Matt Rempe. REmpe was promoted to the NHL and immediately started fighting and becoming a side show. It’s what he was expected to do in the NHL and why he was a notable promotion in the first place. Yet over the beginning of his career, Rempe has shown flashes of a legitimately talented fourth-line winger. Sure, he may never rid himself of his reputation as an enforcer, but Rempe’s play does not match that of Ryan Reaves in style.

Rempe is projected to miss a good portion of this season due to an injury suffered in a fight. I went into writing this expecting to argue how stupid fighting is, but the reality is that as long as it’s legal, it will happen. As long as it will happen, Rempe is the guy opponents will go to for fights. 

Thus, the role I’ll never quite understand. Somehow Rempe fills the roles of valuable fourth-liner and true enforcer at the same time. Rempe will play plenty of games in which he will provide a ton of value, then intentionally bench himself for five minutes at a time. He will put himself at greater risk for future injury, but he’ll retain his reputation that will attract organizations. 

Here’s hoping Rempe can stay healthy.

Adam Fox can’t do it all himself

Plenty has been spoken about Adam Fox’s terrific defensive season, but it’s hard not to wonder how much it’s impacted the team offensively. As we continue to banter about why the Rangers have struggled as much as they have offensively, I haven’t seen many people point to Fox’s increased defensive responsibility. 

Fox is an all-world offensive mind (which is not an indictment of his defensive play, to be clear) on a team completely void of offensive production from the blue line. At most times during a given night, the Rangers will have little to no offensive prowess from the defense. That matters! Fox’s new role appears to be working wonders defensively (especially considering Jacob Trouba was primarily filling the defensive role previously), but the Rangers truly are in a bind when it comes to driving offense. 

Scott Morrow would be an excellent fit in that regard, but he may not be ready for the NHL quite yet. Regardless, look for this trend continue, unless Braden Schneider can find a different gear.

Alexis Lafreniere Is Breaking My Heart

Finally, a thought on my favorite player (yes, really). Alexis Lafreniere continues to get glorious chances and set up his linemates for glorious chances. That’s good! But nothing goes into the back of the net. That’s bad! I am always one to argue that results matter over everything else, so it’s time for me to be honest with myself. I’ve long accepted Lafreniere would never be a Hart candidate or even a best forward on his team kind of guy, but I did believe Lafreniere could be a 75-85 point player after his 2024 postseason breakout. 

At this point, I believe Lafreniere’s ceiling is a fine top six forward who can show flashes that make you wonder if there’s more in him. Admittedly, even that is no longer a certain.

Hopefully Lafreniere can see some of his chances start to cash in, as the alternate is a whole lot of vitriol from the fan base.

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