A rookie Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman will have to wait to take on one of the NHL's newest heavyweight fighters.

PITTSBURGH – For the first time since his rapid rise to NHL stardom, the Pittsburgh Penguins are set to face the New York Rangers and headline-grabbing rookie Matt Rempe. In just 10 games of NHL work, Rempe has become one of the most talked-about names in the league, and not for his skills as an elite forward.

Rempe has earned a reputation as one of the NHL's most prominent fighters, with 54 penalty minutes in his 10 games. In his brief stint with the Rangers, Rempe has spent just two more minutes on the ice than he has in the box.

Despite the rapid rise, the Penguins will have to wait for their first battle against Rempe. The scrapper was recently suspended for four games due to an elbow to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Jonas Siegenthaler.

Rempe has recorded four fights in his 10 NHL games, creating plenty of conversations about his trajectory and health. Among the Penguins most likely to drop the gloves, John Ludvig says he respects what Rempe has been doing.

“It’s cool. You have to respect what he’s doing,” Ludvig said. “He’s a young guy coming in and fighting all the heavyweights. It's fun to watch.”

Ludvig is also in the midst of his first NHL season and has been credited with five fights in his 27 games played. If Rempe was lacing up, it feels likely these two would drop the gloves. However, Ludvig says that would only happen if the game called for it.

“You never know what happens in the games; I wouldn't go out looking,” Ludvig said. “I never do go out looking for a fight, but if something happens and it had to happen, sure.”

Rempe’s reputation spans beyond fights, as he is known to throw his body around and lay some questionable hits, as well. Given the heat between the Penguins and Rangers, it’s likely the game will get chippy. Rempe would likely be in the middle of things, and Ludvig wouldn’t be afraid to answer the call.

“He sticks up for our guys,” head coach Mike Sullivan said on Ludvig. “He’s a courageous kid. That’s the game that he brings.”

Regardless of who is in the lineup, Ludvig will look to play a physical game and make sure someone is protecting the key Penguins’ stars.

The Penguins are still hovering around a playoff spot making it completely possible these two teams meet in the postseason. That could make for an epic first meeting between these two willing combatants.

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