Oct. 28: Rempe is back with the Rangers today, per the NHL’s media site. The move was first reported last night.
Oct. 25: The Rangers have assigned right-winger Matt Rempe to AHL Hartford, the team announced after last night’s 3-1 loss to the Panthers. No corresponding move was announced, giving them an open roster spot to activate Jimmy Vesey from long-term injured reserve when he’s eligible to be taken off next week.
Given how sparsely Rempe has played to start the season, the move shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. But after appearing in 17 games for the Blueshirts last season after a February call-up and playing in 11 of their 16 playoff contests, five healthy scratches through their first seven games of 2024-25 was a bit eye-raising.
Rempe was technically left off the opening night roster for salary cap purposes, allowing the Rangers to maximize Vesey’s LTIR capture. He was recalled as soon as possible and was rostered for their season opener against the Penguins, although he watched it from the press box. In his two appearances – Oct. 12 against Utah and Oct. 19 against the Maple Leafs – he averaged just 5:39 per game, including a paltry 3:40 against the newcomers from Salt Lake.
Unlike last season, head coach Peter Laviolette decided that low ice time, not by Rempe spending nearly as much time in the penalty box as he did on the ice. Rempe has a spotless sheet to start this season after racking up 71 PIMs in his 17 regular-season showings last year. He’s also got no points, no shots (just one attempt), and five hits. The Rangers were also out-attempted 14-4 with Rempe on the ice at even strength in his tiny sample size.
A sixth-round pick of the Rangers in 2020, few expected Rempe to make much of an NHL impact, especially before his 23rd birthday. While it’s valid that one goal and one assist in 19 career games may not be considered impactful, he’s grabbed the spotlight with his throwback playstyle and willingness to drop the gloves. At times, that penchant for physicality has made him a legitimately valuable piece as a net-front option in the offensive zone, something that he’ll need to focus more on in the minors if he wants to prove he can be an influential player in an NHL that continues to see a drop in the frequency of fights.
The 6’8″, 240-lb winger has made 96 appearances in Hartford since turning pro for the 2022-23 campaign. He’s had 14 goals and eight assists with 183 PIMs and a -9 rating.
Waste of space on a NHL roster. Zero skill for today’s NHL. Sure net front presence but doesn’t have the hand-eye coordination to utilize it. He can go fight Arber Xzjevgkkcujfbfbck from the Canadians in the AHL.
Zero skill? He looks pretty athletic to me.
Yea he’s not Rick Nash, but he’s also NOT Ryan Reaves.
Reminds me of a taller Nick Fotiu. The NHL has moved on from the Goon Fighters. The game is too fast and skilled today. Nothing to see here. In two years people will say Rempe who? And the Rangers still will not have won another Cup.
He’d be playing on 90% of the teams in the league, the Rangers are just stacked everywhere and there’s nowhere to play him.
He’s a really coachable, hard working player and he’s actually a pretty good skater. His true impact is not really in front of the net, it’s on the forecheck where he is terrifying for any defenseman that has to turn his back, and absorb a hit to make a play.
He absolutely destroyed a few defensemen last year with legal hits.
Detroit could really use him.
Darn. Was looking forward to a Rangers-Caps matchup, Rempe versus McIlrath.
marginal NHL-er against marginal NHL-er
He’s only 22 years old and 10 years younger the McIlrath.