Rangers’ Matt Rempe suspended 4 games for elbowing Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: Matt Rempe #73 of the New York Rangers looks on during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on February 28, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
By Peter Baugh
Mar 12, 2024

New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe has been suspended four games for elbowing New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler during Monday night’s game, a 3-1 win for New York, the NHL announced Tuesday.

Rempe delivered an elbow to Siegenthaler’s jaw late in the second period, knocking him out of the game and earning a five-minute major for elbowing and a game misconduct.

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Devils forward Kurtis MacDermid was also given a 10-minute misconduct for attempting to fight Rempe.

The 6-foot-7, 21-year-old Rangers rookie has become a sensation around the league with four fights and two ejections in 11 games since making his NHL debut less than a month ago. He was ejected the last time he played the Devils on Feb. 22 for a high hit on New Jersey’s Nathan Bastian.

How Rempe’s absence impacts New York

Rempe, who has two points in 10 games, is replaceable in the Rangers lineup, especially since coach Peter Laviolette wasn’t trusting him to play big minutes. Rempe has averaged only 5:39 of ice time a game. Jonny Brodzinski, who has 15 points in 43 games this year, is set to slot in Rempe’s place. He’s more skilled than Rempe, though less physical, but has proved to be a reliable depth option for the Rangers throughout the season.

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(Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)

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Peter Baugh

Peter Baugh is a staff writer for The Athletic NHL based in New York. He has previously been published in the Columbia Missourian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Kansas City Star, Politico and the Washington Post. A St. Louis native, Peter graduated from the University of Missouri and previously covered the Missouri Tigers and the Colorado Avalanche for The Athletic. Follow Peter on Twitter @Peter_Baugh