Former NHL enforcer Chris Nilan has a word of caution for rising star Matt Rempe, whose willingness to drop the gloves has made him a fan favourite in the NHL.
Since making his debut last month, Rempe has gained attention for his fearlessness in fighting opponents. While his tenacity is admired, concerns have been raised about his long-term health and sustainability in the league.
Nilan recently shared his thoughts on Rempe's fighting style, raising eyebrows in the hockey community.
"This kid, I love his willingness and all that stuff, but he has bad technique. He leaves himself wide open and he's going to get hurt again... I don't know if anybody is working with him... but he needs some help. It's great to be willing but if you're seeing Tweety Birds out there every fight that's not a good thing." - Chris Nilan
With over 3,000 penalty minutes in fewer than 700 NHL games during his 13-year career, Nilan's comments carry weight.
Rempe may benefit from refining his fighting skills in the offseason with professional coaching. With improved technique, he could emerge as one of the league's most formidable enforcers, combining his impressive size with refined abilities.
