Matt Rempe Frustrated by Limited Playing Time with Rangers
The 24-year-old forward expresses disappointment over his lack of ice time, emphasizing his readiness for an opportunity.
Matt Rempe, the 6-foot-9 forward for the New York Rangers, has expressed frustration over his limited playing time this season. Rempe has appeared in only one game since September 29 and recorded less than four minutes of ice time in his most recent outing on October 13.
"It's tough," Rempe stated following a practice in Tarrytown. "It's basically out of my control and all I can do is what I control in practice. I'm just getting my work in so if that during the game, I'll make sure I'm ready when I get the call."
The 24-year-old forward acknowledged that his situation is complicated by the fact that he cannot be sent down to the American Hockey League (AHL) without clearing waivers, a process that could result in the Rangers losing him to another team.
Rempe played in 26 games last season and appeared in a career-high 42 games in the 2024-25 season, accumulating 67 penalty minutes. He feels his current lack of playing time may be a "stylistic thing," but he is focused on working hard and improving.
"I just want to play and make sure I'm continuing to get better so that when I do get an opportunity, I show I can earn some more runway," he said. Rempe added that he feels "great" physically, despite having played in only two of the Rangers' first 14 games this season.
In other team news, goaltender Joonas Korpisalo participated in his first full practice on Saturday since contracting a foot infection at the start of the regular season. Korpisalo, 32, resumed skating last weekend and practiced briefly on Friday. Coach Mike Sullivan indicated that the team is still determining the best approach for Korpisalo's return, given his extended absence.
"The biggest step here is to get him healthy and then decide the best course of action," Sullivan said. "It all depends on how he progresses. We're encouraged with his progression."
Korpisalo's absence, along with an injury to Igor Shesterkin, has led to Dylan Garand being in net for every game. The Rangers are set to play four games in seven days starting Sunday, following a five-day break in their schedule. Sullivan was uncertain if Korpisalo would be ready for this stretch or if he might require a conditioning game in the AHL. The team's current backup, James Reimer, was pulled after the first period in their last game.
Defenseman Sean Durzi, who has missed several practices for "maintenance," was out again on Saturday and is considered day-to-day. Braden Schneider also missed practice due to an illness and is day-to-day. Eeli Tolvanen returned to practice after being absent for personal reasons.