A former NHL defenseman has taken a shot at a New York Rangers fan-favorite enforcer as he officially returns to the lineup following his eight-game suspension.

The New York Rangers recalled their six-foot-eight yard-dog forward Matt Rempe on Tuesday from the AHL Hartford Wolfpack after having served an eight-game suspension. He is officially eligible to return against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

Matt Rempe’s presence was felt in the New York Rangers’ 3-2 overtime win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. The crowd erupted when Rempe stepped on the ice for the first time following a lengthy eight-game suspension.

Returning to practice on Wednesday afternoon following an eight-game suspension, Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe admitted that he must play smarter moving forward.

The 6-9 forward finished serving his eight-game suspension and is eligible to return Thursday against the Devils.

New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe is no stranger to controversial hits. The young Blueshirts winger has developed a reputation as one of the league’s more bruising forwards. However, he has also cultivated a reputation as a dangerous player.

Matt Rempe has been in this situation before. Just over 10 months ago, back in March, the 6-foot-8 ½ forward served a suspension, acknowledged he made a mistake with a hit — a high elbow flung toward the Devils’ Jonas Siegenthaler — and stressed the need to grow from it.