WA-NYR-TradeRumours Is he is, or is he ain't for real? Matt Rempe, that is; the Ranger who is in the midst of a crusade to be taken seriously as a legitimate major leaguer. He'll get a chance tonight in Denver, flanked by Adam Edström and Sam Carrick, a unit with surprising potential. The Twin Towers of Rempe and Edström will intimidate without even throwing a check while Slingin' Sam will pick up the pieces. But the KEY (capitals needed) is Rempe. Put it this way, HE GETS IT. He didn't like serving eight games in penance and he showed on his return – one assist, no dumb penalties – his usefulness. Plus, whatever else positivity he brings to the room – and to the bench – certainly has had a magical quality to it. "Since the Rangers always seem to win when he plays," says The Old Scout, "then there must be something there." There is; there is; but we're not sure what that something is; and The Skating Giraffe isn't sure either. Nor should Edström and Carrick be overlooked. With no fuss and fanfare, Big Ed has shown his all-round fourth-line value while Slingin' Sam's OT winner against New Jersey says it all. He's good! But the bottom line for this Bottom Line is the Rollicking Rempe. The brand of hits Matt delivered on New Jersey's Jonas Siegenthaler last March and Miro Heiskanen this season have to go. "It can't happen again," The Skating Giraffe insists and The Maven believes him. This kid is a smart cookie. He knows his ascent to rock star is not because he's Houdini with a stick or a distant relative of Connor McDavid's Uncle Dudley. Furthermore, he knows he's a marked man so those vicious board checks have to go the way of the Dodo bird. Heck, he doesn't even need the boards. He can forecheck like a human torpedo and he can crowd enemy goalies as if he's on the Lexington Avenue Express as rush hour. "When in doubt," he adds, "I have to err on the side of caution." With Edström and Carrick as sidekicks, he can make beautiful rock music as "The Thunderers." They open tonight in Denver!
