By: Gabriela Yareliz
Yesterday’s New York Rangers game against the Edmonton Oilers was atrocious. Given the Oiler-Panther rivalry— I am no fan of the Oilers (or McDavid), but at least they came to play. The commentators kept saying how the Oilers were coming off of back-to-backs and how fatigued they must be. They weren’t. They don’t make excuses. The Rangers had a week break (unheard of given the NHL schedule), and they looked lost, disjointed and pathetic.
We rehash what I have been saying post after post— Mike Sullivan sucks as a coach. And don’t say he coached the U.S. Olympic team. I know. I also know based on the players who played for that team, that the all-stars did their thing and preferred to take coaching and mentorship from John Tortorella, who was on coaching staff.
Mike Sullivan stands there, week after week, saying the team did its best— while they lose under circumstances they could control. He makes excuses for the team, which is why they aren’t going anywhere. Given current leadership and satisfaction with mediocrity, I declare this season done. We have covered this. How much of his own BS he believes is still a valid question.
You know who has been missing from the ice game after game? Matt Rempe. Maybe you didn’t notice, though his 6’9” frame is hard to miss. I am hyper-aware because he is my favorite player. He always brings spark, confrontation and was part of the solid 4th line that was the only line that played consistently last season for the Rangers. In discussion with my husband, he pointed out two valid points— the Rangers dismantled the only line that had actually been playing for them and Sullivan may be trying to set himself up for firing because he is sick of this team. (Joke is on him because we are sick of him).
Both valid points. I can’t imagine a man of Sullivan’s arrogance is happy with the Rangers after his comments leaving the Penguins.
When seeing the line-up, I was annoyed to not see Rempe in the mix. I googled him, and saw a piece on his frustration for lack of play time (valid— he is like, Put me in coach), and a handful of articles hinting toward an Oilers trade— God help me).
You know what they say— if you love something or someone, you set them free. Listen, my point is I believe this kid is a STAR ⭐️. I said it. I really do. By not sending Rempe to the AHL (and don’t get me wrong, he deserves to stay in NHL territory), they are holding him hostage. They won’t let him play, and they won’t send him back. He is just going to practice and praying he gets to play. And night after night, he doesn’t get to play. This is the easiest way to kill a player both in skill and spirit.
So I am calling for #FreeRempe. Release the kid to play. Either put him in the line-up or yes, trade him. It would suck for all of us who won’t see him on the regular; but I would rather him be released to exceed his potential (because surrounded by the right team and coach, he will) versus letting him languish in the locker room in a beanie.
There is no team I have more disdain for than the Oilers. I would rather see the Remps go to Canada and slay than the current hostage situation. He deserves better. So this is my plea to Rangers staff— #FreeRempe (he deserves to play), fire Sullivan (his mindset is doing nothing for this team other than digging its grave further into the ground), trade Mika (because he does nothing but harm). And if you only grant one wish— free Rempe. Let the kid play. Drury and the franchise deserve the consequences of their choices, but Rempe deserves better.
