New York Rangers’ Matt Rempe reacts during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Rangers’ new direction will include Matt Rempe, after all.
The hulking 6-foot-9 forward agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $975,000 annually with the Blueshirts on Wednesday, eliminating the possibility of another team signing him to an offer sheet.
Rempe has been a controversial presence since making his NHL debut during the 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium against the Islanders, when he dropped the gloves with Matt Martin on his very first shift.
The 22-year-old has appeared in 59 games over the last two seasons, recording four goals and six assists to go with 138 penalty minutes. Within his first 22 career games, he was given four game misconducts (ejected) four times.
He established career highs in games played, goals, and assists last season, while his 19.64 hits per 60 minutes led the team and were the sixth-most in the NHL among players who skated in at least 40 games.
He will now have an opportunity to establish a place within the Rangers’ lineup under new head coach Mike Sullivan, who took over for Peter Laviolette shortly after New York missed the playoffs in 2024-25, just one year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
The change behind the bench appears to be only the start of the changes on Broadway. Last week, general manager Chris Drury traded long-time center Chris Kreider, who spent 13 years with the team, to the Anaheim Ducks. He reunites with former Rangers captain Jacob Trouba, who was dealt to Anaheim mid-season after Drury sent a league-wide memo that his team was open for business.
For more on Matt Rempe and the Rangers, visit AMNY.com
