Matt Rempe is prioritizing his present opportunities with the New York Rangers amidst swirling trade rumors, including a report linking him to the Edmonton Oilers. The 6-foot-9 forward acknowledged the speculation as a new experience but stated his focus remains on improving and securing a place in the Rangers' lineup.
"I don’t pay attention to that stuff," Rempe told the New York Post. "That type of stuff’s all out of my control. I’m just focused on here and trying to get better and get in the lineup and make the most of those opportunities."
Rempe has seen limited ice time this season, with Tuesday marking only his third game. He was placed on the fourth line alongside Noah Laba and Jaroslav Chmelar, a rare chance to play as head coach Mike Sullivan has been seeking solutions for the fourth line's performance. Rempe has been in and out of the lineup since the season opener, watching from the sidelines during the team's recent struggles.
His path since the start of last season has been challenging. Following a fight in October 2025, Rempe underwent two thumb surgeries, which impacted his puck movement and stick-handling. While he declared himself fully recovered during training camp and engaged in a fight on October 13, his future with the Rangers has become less certain with the emergence of trade rumors.
Rempe reiterated his strategy for dealing with external chatter: "Just don’t read into anything like that. Whatever happens happens. That’s out of your control, so you just try to focus on what you can do each day. When I’m out at the rink, I’m doing things I like to do and not paying attention to that type of stuff."