BREAKING: Rangers frustrated with Questionable Matt Rempe penalty calls against Matt Rempe with possible sanction
New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe is impossible to overlook on the ice. Standing at 6-foot-9, he naturally draws attention, and his presence is anything but subtle.
However, is Rempe being unfairly targeted by officials due to his size or reputation? With two lengthy suspensions—one last season and another earlier this season—questions have arisen about whether he’s being penalized more harshly than others.
Respected New York Post hockey columnist Larry Brooks ignited the debate with a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. The most recent incident occurred during the Rangers’ thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. Rempe was given a two-minute minor for interference against Minnesota’s Devin Shore early in the second period. Yet, upon closer examination, Shore appeared to skate into Rempe and fall while the Rangers forward was focused elsewhere.
A scandal of the NHL's own making. The league, Stephen Walkom and the entire officiating department have acted out of bias against Rempe for more than a year. Two outrageous calls in consecutive games. Each cost the Rangers a goal. Mickey Mouse League. https://t.co/2oxiubBC2R
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) March 14, 2025
Just before the collision, Rempe briefly glanced left to track Minnesota’s Zach Bogosian, only for Shore to run into him from the right. Because of Rempe’s sheer size, Shore was the one who hit the ice—leading to an official raising his arm for a penalty.
Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette expressed his frustration postgame, though he remained composed in his response.
“I think he draws attention, just the size of him and how he plays the game,” Laviolette said. “It’s unfortunate because sometimes, like tonight, he’s really not doing anything, and he’s in the [penalty] box.”
Rangers forward Will Cuylle also voiced his displeasure, bringing up the call against Rempe while discussing the game.
“Some tough calls against us, but I thought we stuck with it and it’s great to come out with two points,” Cuylle said.
Is the team addressing the issue with the league? Laviolette confirmed that discussions are happening.
“There’s always conversations that go on,” he said Friday after an optional practice in Columbus. “Game happens fast out there. But with regard to Matt, we’re just trying to get him the benefit of the doubt once in a while.”
Rempe was visibly frustrated by the call, especially after Minnesota capitalized on the ensuing power play, with Marcus Johansson firing a snap shot past Igor Shesterkin to tie the game 1-1 exactly two minutes later.
Questionable Matt Rempe penalty costly in Rangers’ loss to Jets
In a closely contested game, Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette limited his fourth line’s ice time as the game progressed, resulting in Matt Rempe logging just nine shifts and 7:14 of ice time against the Wild. However, he still made an impact, recording an assist on Jonny Brodzinski’s go-ahead goal at 6:38 of the second period. While heading off for a line change, Rempe made a quick touch pass to Zac Jones, who carried the puck through the neutral zone before setting up Brodzinski for the goal.
Braden Schneider’s overtime goal, just 1:51 into the extra frame, secured an important win and two points for the Rangers, perhaps easing some of the frustration over Rempe’s penalty.
That wasn’t the case earlier in the week during a 2-1 road loss to the Winnipeg Jets. In that game, Rempe was assessed a two-minute penalty for goalie interference at 3:11 of the second period, despite being shoved into Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck by Winnipeg’s Morgan Barron. This call proved to be more costly, as Gabe Vilardi capitalized on the ensuing power play at 5:06, scoring what would be the game-winning goal.
“I didn’t agree with the call,” Laviolette said afterward. “They’re saying they want to protect the goaltenders, but I don’t know. I just didn’t agree with it.”