2025 Rangers Season Previews: Matt Rempe

This article is part of an ongoing series of Rangers Season Previews, taking a close look at what we can, and should, expect from each member of the 2025-26 New York Rangers. To read other articles in this series, go here.

Ever since Matt Rempe made his debut at MetLife Stadium in the 2024 Stadium Series game against the New York Islanders, fans could not be more divided on the giant forward. Some believe his physical pretense helps the Rangers control the pace of play, while others think his inability to generate offense makes him a waste. Regardless, Rempe has shown enough for general manager Chris Drury to give him a contract extension with a cap hit of $975,000 for each of the next two seasons.

Now, it is up to the 23-year-old to solidify his spot in the Rangers lineup.

Previous Performance

Last season was quite the adventure for Matt Rempe, as he spent time in the NHL, AHL, and sitting on the couch due to a suspension. In 42 games played with the Rangers, Rempe recorded three goals and five assists for eight points. During the course of the season, he also spent 67 minutes in the penalty box—a surprise to nobody.

Rempe's start with the Rangers was not ideal, as he spent the early part of the season alternating between the Rangers and the Hartford Wolf Pack. However, Rempe's season would take a turn for the worse after receiving an eight-game suspension for elbowing Dallas Stars' defenseman Miro Heiskanen.

To this point in the season, Rempe had only played five games for the Blueshirts and had yet to record a single point. With his game misconduct against the Stars, Rempe had now racked up 24 penalty minutes, and it looked like he had fallen back into bad habits.

After serving his eight-game suspension, Rempe would return to the Rangers and play against the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 9, and would then go on to play in the Rangers' next 31 games with an ejection. It seemed clear that something had changed in the young forward's mindset.

Rempe started to show growth as a player, changing his game to adapt to the modern NHL. During the course of those games, Rempe generated two goals and three assists. He still racked up 37 penalty minutes, but Rempe discussed how every hit had to be undoubtedly clean due to his history. When speaking to Andrew Crane of the New York Post after his suspension, Rempe said:

"I don’t have to make every hit, if that makes sense,” Rempe stated. “Like, only make them if I know they’re gonna be a clean hit and a good hit compared to like, if it’s any way in doubt, I feel like I would err on the side of caution for now because, like I said, I’m a marked man right now.”

In those 31 games, Rempe did still get into three fights, but he seemed to be more strategic with them. In a matchup against the Los Angeles Kings on March 25, the Rangers were tied 1-1 with the Kings and were struggling to generate scoring opportunities. In an attempt to get the team going, Rempe would drop the gloves with Tanner Jeannot. While the Rangers lost the game 3-1, Rempe was at least trying to use his fighting prowess to propel the team forward, rather than putting them in a bind with a bad ejection.

Rempe would then sit out four games with an upper body injury before returning to the team for the last six games of the season. During those six games, Rempe had one goal and two assists. In the second to last game of the season, Rempe recorded a two-point night against the Florida Panthers, scoring the first Rangers goal of the game and assisting on a Jonny Brodzinski goal later in the game.

Changing his play style and generating more offense likely went a long way in giving him a new contract. If Rempe continued to play recklessly, it very well could have costed him his NHL career. Now, he has another shot going into the 2025-26 season.

Expectations

Rempe needs to start the upcoming season just like how he ended last season. The Rangers have plenty of options to play on the fourth line. If he regresses into the player we have seen earlier in his career, there is the possibility head coach Mike Sullivan pulls him out of the lineup. If Rempe can continue to make better choices on and off the puck, paired with his size and physical abilities, there is no reason he can't grow into a consistent contributor for the Rangers.

Rempe will likely be stapled to the fourth line with Adam Edstrom and Sam Carrick to start the season. As a trio, they put up solid numbers, including a 47.45% xGF, according to Evolving Hockey. While this represents the work of only a 77-minute sample size, there is reason to believe that with more playing time the trio will continue to grow.

Rempe is still only 23 years old, and there is all the reason to believe his best hockey is ahead of him. While it is unlikely he makes it past the fourth line this season, it is fair to expect him to be a consistent force there. By reducing the penalty minutes and eliminating the suspensions, Rempe is more likely to stay in the Blueshirts lineup night in and night out.

In terms of offensive production, well, that's not why the Rangers have Rempe. But at the same time, there is no reason why they shouldn't expect him to grow that aspect of his game. In small flashes we have seen Rempe contribute offensively, but he needs to do it more consistently. While his time on ice is limited, he routinely goes long stretches without registering a point.

By reducing the catastrophic penalties, improving his offensive game, and playing a more complete game, Rempe could help make his case for staying in the NHL and help the Rangers as a cheap and effective fourth liner.

Predictions

While the expectations have been set, taking all of these steps is unlikely. The spot where I can see Rempe struggling to overcome the most is reducing his time in the penalty box. During his tenure with the Rangers, we have seen him struggle to control his large body, leading to questionable hits. As mentioned earlier, he is already on the radar of referees across the league due to his previous incidents.

On the other hand, I am confident that he will significantly improve his offensive performance. A new coach in Mike Sullivan will provide a better situation for the young forward, which should allow him to grow offensively. If Rempe can learn to use his size as a way to screen goaltenders, that will open up a new facet of his game that will benefit the players on the ice around him.

I doubt Rempe plays every game for the Rangers this season, but he will probably draw in to at least 55 games of team. With the additional games played and improved offensive performance, I believe Rempe will account for five goals and eight assists for 13 points. I believe he will also finish with around 60 penalty minutes, which would be the lowest in his career.

Matt Rempe has already won over the hearts of many fans, but does he have what it takes to help the Rangers win? We'll find out a lot this year.