The New York Rangers have made another roster adjustment by recalling popular forward Matt Rempe from the Hartford Wolf Pack after trading Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken, as announced by the team on Wednesday.
This change is part of a broader reorganization that has seen rookie defenseman Victor Mancini sent to Hartford to continue developing his skills in the minors.
Rempe, 22, captivated Rangers fans last season with his aggressive playing style and fearless demeanor on the ice. He accumulated 71 penalty minutes and faced off against some of the league’s toughest competitors, including Ryan Reaves, Matt Martin, and Kurtis MacDermid. He also made a significant playoff contribution, scoring New York’s first postseason goal in Game 1 against the Capitals.
However, despite his popularity, Rempe started this season in a diminished role, overshadowed by fellow rookie Adam Edstrom and averaging just over six minutes of ice time in four games before being assigned to the AHL.
Rempe’s return coincides with Kakko’s trade to Seattle, which brought defenseman Will Borgen and two draft picks to the Rangers. Kakko, selected second overall in 2019, recorded 14 points in 30 games this season but has struggled to establish himself in New York.
As the Rangers adjust their lineup, Rempe will vy for fourth-line minutes alongside Edstrom, Sam Carrick, Jonny Brodzinski, and Jimmy Vesey, based on the latest lines from head coach Peter Laviolette.
Currently, the Rangers sit at 15-15-1 with 31 points, placing them sixth in the Metropolitan division and three points away from a wild-card playoff spot.
