The Tweet:
“If you thought Rempe was a problem this year in the NHL, wait ’til you see him this coming season….”
That, my friends, could be the greatest tweet ever. We should leave it at that. Because I considered titling this post “Remping Up with Laraque”. And Goonblog is better than that. Pour l’instant, profitons simplement de cette photo.
Back to the tweet. Or the “X” – Who dropped this bombshell? None other than the legendary Georges Laraque. It seems Matt Rempe took the feedback, about needing some help fighting seriously, as he’s training with Georgie this summer to sharpen his pugilistic skills. Perhaps only because Ivan Drago, Indiana Jones and Mike Tyson were unavailable.
The Year of Rempe: A Rowdy Rookie Rollercoaster
Last year was indeed the year of Matt Rempe. The hype and the kid behind it. The kid exploded onto the scene, earning a slew of nicknames while turning heads left and right. The hype helped break down his early legacy as reality settled in, exposing his chin.
He fought all comers with mixed results, but the knock on him was clear: without proper technique, he was bound to get seriously hurt by the league’s heavyweights. As we pointed out more than a couple of times.
Thankfully, Rempe is taking the initiative to avoid becoming a human punching bag. Training with Laraque, one of the most feared enforcers in NHL history, is a surefire way to up his game and stay out of the infirmary.
More Than Just Fists: Rempe’s Hockey Skills
Let’s not forget, Rempe isn’t just a pair of fists on skates. The kid can play.
He held his own in the playoffs and didn’t hurt the team when he was on the ice. If he improves his fighting skills at camp this summer, he’s going to be even more dangerous as a player. Peter Laviolette is going to hear it from the Blueshirt faithful if Rempe isn’t in the lineup next year.
The Panthers’ Silent Victory
On another note, did anyone else find it odd that not one team congratulated the Florida Panthers for winning the Cup at the Draft this year?
Maybe they were all tripping out being at the Sphere. Having been there in person for Dead and Company in June, I can see why. But still, it was odd.
So, congratulations, Florida Panthers. They are a gritty bunch built for playoff hockey. Well-coached by Paul Maurice, and they play a relentless style that fits their grinding identity perfectly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZdwMkJTrJM
Summer Vibes and October Frig-Off Dreams
Here’s hoping everyone is enjoying their summer. The ice awaits in October, and with guys like Rempe gearing up for a breakout season, it’s bound to be a wild ride.
I think we all got just a little bit ahead of ourselves last season. As a proponent of old time hockey, keeping the threat of a donnybrook in place in the name of fair play – we are enthusiastic about Matt Rempe’s scholastic endeavors. Fuckin’ give ‘er, buddy.
2-Star Pasta in the North End
The clip of the Rempire State Building throwing that uppercut is especially intriguing. He’s been guilty of letting people inside, and that’s where he going to get really hurt. If he has that uppercut to throw to deter anyone from coming inside, he’s going to be really dangerous. I’d like to see him control a fight to the point where he’s steering guys into that thing. It looks like a Lyndon Byers level elite uppercut, and I’d love to see him use it, and land it.
Agreed. He needs that inside hammer. Probably why we saw it being practiced.