New York Rangers new guy Matt Puempel takes a serious shot at his old head coach with the Ottawa Senators, Guy Boucher.
Now a member of the New York Rangers, new guy Matt Puempel isn’t pulling any punches.
Puempel was picked up via waivers by Jeff Gorton last week after injuries to Pavel Buchnevich and Mika Zibanejad left the Blueshirts a little light up front. In his first game with the new club, Puempel scored a goal courtesy of a brilliant backhanded pass by Jimmy Vesey:
Henrik Lundqvist led New York to a nail-biting 3-2 victory in Philly on Friday afternoon.
Puempel described his thoughts and feelings about his new organization, via Larry Brooks of the New York Post.
“They let you play here, they let you play to your strengths,” Puempel said after the Rangers’ 3-2 victory over the Flyers in which he beat Steve Mason from close in off a gorgeous backhand feed from Jimmy Vesey at 14:50 of the first period. “They know there are going to be mistakes. They’re not barking at you every time you come off the ice. It’s beneficial.”
Tell us what you really think, Puempel. While it wasn’t a direct shot at Guy Boucher, it’s pretty clear how Puempel feels after just a week in New York.
The kid isn’t without talent. This much is certain as Puempel was Ottawa’s first-round pick back in 2011. But the unsuspecting move to the Big Apple doesn’t have the first-rounder down in the dumps.
“It’s been a little bit crazy, but I’ve enjoyed every second of it. It’s been a blast,” he said. “It’s an early Christmas, that’s the best way to put it.”
Only one team, the Montreal Canadiens, have more points than the Blueshirts. And speaking of the Senators, they’ll be in town on Sunday night for the express purpose of taking on Puempel and the Rangers.