The early days of New York Rangers training camp have presented a stark reality for forward Matt Rempe: he is in a desperate fight to secure a roster spot. Rotating with the fourth line, and even behind emerging prospect Jaroslav Chmelar in early sessions, Rempe is feeling the pressure to make his presence felt.
Rempe, who stands 6-foot-9, entered camp with much to prove. His previous season was significantly hampered by a thumb injury that required two procedures following a fight with Ryan Reaves. This limited him to just 26 games, with his last NHL appearance on February 5. Head coach Mike Sullivan has emphasized the need for Rempe to play games, a path complicated by the rise of Chmelar.
"Being on the team the last couple years… a lot of it, like last year, was hurt and wasn’t really around at all," Rempe said. "It’s been a long time for me since my last game — always a sense of desperation. I want to be here bad, yeah."
The physical toll of his injuries has been evident. Even after returning from his first thumb procedure in December, Rempe struggled with shooting, puck movement, and overall effectiveness, particularly with the left thumb he broke during an October fight. He stated that he is now back to his previous level and believes he has overcome any mental hurdle, having engaged his hand in numerous drills over the summer.
The buzz surrounding Rempe's arrival in the 2023-24 season, notably fighting Matt Martin on his first shift, risks fading if he cannot carve out a consistent role. His debut season, which included 47 penalty minutes and three game misconducts against the Devils, and a memorable fight-turned-winning-goal against Nicolas Deslauriers, has become a distant memory.
Factors such as needing to clear waivers to be assigned to AHL Hartford could influence his future. Sullivan noted that the Rangers have worked on Rempe's defensive awareness and reliability, while Rempe himself aims to add more to his offensive game beyond his current 11 points. "He’s an unnerved player," Sullivan said. "He’s a disruptive player. When he’s in the lineup, your opponents take notice, so he has the ability to create that anxiety. … But I think at this point, [Rempe] just needs to play."
With a condensed training camp, opportunities to showcase his abilities are limited. Rempe believes he is in a good place physically, having had a productive summer and a strong start to camp. "I feel like I’m in a good spot," he said. However, the current optics suggest a struggle, and time is running out for him to change that perception. "I think I know what is expected of me," Rempe added. "Like I think it’s early in camp and stuff, but I know what my game is. I know what’s expected of me and what I gotta bring and what type of elements my game has. I know what I need to do."