Well, that didn’t take long. Matt Rempe is back with the New York Rangers after the popular forward was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Monday.
Rempe was assigned to Hartford last Thursday, in time to play two AHL games with the Wolf Pack this past weekend. Though held scoreless, it was a chance for Rempe to get significant ice time, play center and kill penalties.
“He’s got an opportunity to go down and play some games and get some minutes to continue his development,’ Rangers coach Peter Laviolette told reporters last Friday. “He didn’t play (Thursday against the Florida Panthers) and wasn’t going to play (Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks), and there’s an opportunity for him to go and play games.
“So, I think that’s really important for a young player. He’s played in a couple game here, he practices at a certain level, i think that’s all positive for him. But I do think going down, playing more minutes with more responsibility also builds growth out of a player.”
In two NHL games this season, Rempe is averaging 5:39 in ice time. He only logged seven shifts and 3:40 TOI in his season debut Oct. 12 against the Utah Hockey Club. One week later, he played 7:37 in a 4-1 road win at the Maple Leafs.
Last season, despite limited playing time in 17 games, Rempe took the NHL by storm. He fought some of the top heavyweights in the League and quickly became a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden. He also played 11 postseason games, and scored New York’s first goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, against the Washington Capitals in Game 1 of their first-round series.
The Rangers visit the Capitals on Tuesday, and it’s not known if Rempe will be in the lineup. He did take the first reps on the fourth line ahead of Brodzinski at practice Monday. Washington does have some rugged players in its lineup, including Tom Wilson and former Rangers defenseman Dylan McIlrath, so this could be a good spot to get Rempe some game action.
Rangers recall popular forward Matt Rempe
Matt Rempe with the Wolf Pack this weekend — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Rempe landed a spot on the Rangers opening-night roster, but hasn’t been able to secure a regular spot on the fourth line. Even with Jimmy Vesey on LTIR with a lower-body injury, Rempe’s been in the press box for five of seven games.
Adam Edstrom has played all eight games, after a terrific preseason. And Jonny Brodzinski has one goal and one assist in six games played. Veteran Sam Carrick is the center on the fourth line.
Rempe had a well-publicized offseason, working diligently to improve his all-around game, training with teammate Chris Kreider, taking fighting lessons from former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque and living with three-time Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Quick and his family.
But there’s still a lot the 22-year-old must learn and Laviolette believes that minutes in the AHL are valuable for Rempe if he’s not regularly in the Rangers lineup.
“He’s young player — it’s like Zac (Jones) or (Victor) Mancini — they can constantly build their game and get better,” Laviolette explained, mentioning “wall play,” and defensive play as specific areas Rempe can improve on.
Wearing No. 32, Rempe was minus-3 in two games with the Wolf Pack and had two shots on goal. He didn’t record a point nor take a penalty.
