TORONTO — Adam Edstrom had to tiptoe around the Canadian media corps crowding around his linemates and fellow rookie Matt Lempe to get to his locker Saturday morning.
It’s not the first time Lempe has drawn this kind of crowd since his NHL cannonball two weeks ago, and it won’t be the last.
However, Edstrom was able to overcome the wave caused by Rempe and quietly settle into his first assignment in the major leagues.
“I come here to play hockey, and everything around me can be a little overwhelming. So in a way he gets a lot of attention and I kind of float in the background. I’m happy,” he told the newspaper as he watched an interview scrum with 6-foot-7 forward Lempe from across the room. “But I’m happy for him and I know he’s enjoying it. That’s fine.”
Edstrom was first called up by the Rangers and made his NHL debut just over two months before Lempemania. After being sent back to Hartford, the 23-year-old was injured three games into his AHL return and was unable to play until February 10th.
Edstrom returned to the Rangers’ lineup two days later on February 12, and Rempe joined the fun six days later.
The transition to the NHL was largely what Edstrom expected, he said, noting he expected to see an improvement in skill and pace.
The Rangers’ fourth line of Edstrom, Rempe and Barclay Goodrow has limited ice time, but the trio has been effective in creating time in the offensive zone with their tireless forecheck.
“I’ve always been a defensive-minded player, but here it’s like another level,” said the Swede, who has scored two goals in nine games so far this season. “Everything starts with defense here. That’s something I’ve worked on with great pride to play a strong defensive game, and I feel like we’ve accomplished that so far.
“Other than that, I’m just trying to play my game. Whenever I get a chance, move my body and use my size and speed as an advantage.”
Having a veteran like Goodrow on that line has become a go-to source for Edstrom and Rempe.
In addition to letting the two young men pick their brains, Ms. Goodrow recently took her new linemates out to dinner.
This fourth line has had a different kind of presence since it was first assembled against the Islanders in the Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium.
When you have a 6-foot-7 player on one wing and a 6-8-1/2 player on the other wing, it’s hard not to pay attention.
Rempe may be a household name in NHL circles, but Edstrom also helped make the Rangers what they are today.
“I like to hit in the game and play a physical game,” Edstrom said before the Rangers’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs. “Remps does a lot of things on our line in terms of fighting and stuff, but he’s always going out there and throwing hits and stuff like that. It’s made it easier for me and Goody in a way, because he’s been on the forecheck. You know you’re the first guy and you’re going to play the body, so most of the time you just go pick up the puck.”
The two main players in Saturday’s game, Matt Lempe of the Rangers and Ryan Reaves of the Maple Leafs, weren’t on the ice at the same time until late in the first period.
The climax came when Reeves appeared to say something to Rempe as the 21-year-old skated away without paying Rempe any attention.
The team rallied again at the end of the third period, but this time Rempe looked over at the Rangers bench and accepted.
It was an even match with both bruisers delivering their fair share of blows.
