Matt Rempe had to cool his jets Wednesday when the New York Rangers opened the 2024-25 season with a resounding 6-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. The popular 6-foot-9 forward sat that one out as a healthy scratch.
But it appears Rempe will make his season debut Saturday in the Rangers home opener at Madison Square Garden against the Utah Hockey Club. The 22-year-old took the first turn on the fourth line during practice Friday, with Jonny Brodzinski the extra forward.
Brodzinski dressed against the Penguins and assisted on Sam Carrick’s game-opening goal just 2:24 into the first period. He logged 9:52 in ice time, fewest of all Rangers players.
It was a bit of a surprise that the 31-year-old played instead of Rempe, though Brodzinski did have a strong preseason.
“Decisions are going to have to be made, we have extra players. Those decisions are tough sometimes,” coach Peter Laviolette explained after practice. “There was no reason for someone not to play the other night.”
Rempe was scoreless in three preseason games and the odd man out in the season opener. Brodzinski and Carrick were joined on the fourth line by Adam Edstrom, who scored three goals in the preseason and replaced the injured Jimmy Vesey (lower body).
So, was the coach saving Rempe to debut in front of his adoring fans at MSG?
“It’s not going to make a difference in my decision,” Laviolette said. “But I do think there’s an impact in the game from the juice that he could bring into the building.”
Sounds like Rempe is in Saturday.
Matt Rempe set to bring ‘energy’ to Rangers lineup if he plays Saturday
If he does play, it’ll be interesting to see the improvements in his all-around game, as well as his decision making when it comes to fighting or being involved physically. Rempe put a lot of work into improving and preparing for this season, notably working out with Chris Kreider this summer, taking on-ice fighting lessons from former NHL heavyweight Georges Laraque and living with Jonathan Quick and his family.
Anyone who knows Rempe is aware the kid must’ve been a bit crestfallen not playing in the opener against the Penguins. So, yeah, you can imagine he’ll be champing at the bit to be let loose against Utah.
“Definitely believe he brings energy. He brings it inside the room, at practice, he plays hard all the time,” Laviolette noted. “You definitely feel that at Madison Square Garden, but I think he can bring that on the road, also.”
If Rempe dresses Saturday, that’d likely be the only change to the lineup. The other lines and all three defense pairs practiced as they played in Pittsburgh.
Vesey did skate on his own before practice, a good sign that he’s on the mend. The 31-year-old is on LTIR and will miss at least the first 10 games because of a lower-body injury sustained a couple of weeks ago in practice.
Defenseman Ryan Lindgren took part in practice wearing a no-contact jersey. He remains sidelined with an upper-body injury and is on injured reserve.
