Larry Brooks blasts NHL's "selective prosecution" of Matt Rempe's 8-game suspension; suggests major next step for Rangers forward

By Abhishek Dilta

Modified Dec 23, 2024 05:39 GMT

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Hockey journalist Lary Brooks has criticized the NHL for what he describes as "selective prosecution" regarding the eight-game suspension handed down to Rangers forward Matt Rempe.

Rempe's suspension followed an illegal hit that he delivered to the back of Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen's head during the third period of the Blueshirts' 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Matt Rempe received a five-minute major penalty for elbowing and was ejected from the game due to his actions. The NHL Department of Player Safety subsequently issued an eight-game suspension, which has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.

Brooks took to X (formerly Twitter), calling out the NHL over the decision and suggesting that Rempe should appeal the decision.

"Selective prosecution. Rempe should appeal."

Rempe was returning to the Rangers lineup for the first time since Nov. 25. His elbow hit on Heiskanen was his fifth during the game.

Notably, this marked the fourth ejection in just 22 games for the 22-year-old, resulting in an ejection rate of 18%. The suspension issued by the NHL is the second of Rempe's career.

His first suspension occurred earlier in March when he was banned for four games for elbowing New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Seigenthaler.

NHL Department of Player Safety explains Matt Rempe's suspension

The NHL Department of Player Safety released a video detailing the reasoning behind Matt Rempe's eight-game suspension.

In the video, the department emphasized that Rempe had a clear view of Heiskanen's back leading up to the hut, indicating that he was fully aware of the hit. They pointed out that Rempe could have avoided the contact.

"It is important to note that during an extended period of time and during the lead-up to this hit, Rempe sees nothing but Heiskanen's back," the department said in its suspension video.

"Rempe is in complete control of how this play develops and it is Rempe's responsibility in this situation to avoid the contact, change the angle such that he does not hit a defenseless player directly from behind or at very least to minimize the force of an imminent collision."

Rempe was drafted No. 165 overall by the New York Rangers in the 2020 NHL Draft. This season he has played five games and has collected two points in 22 NHL career games so far.