He’s baaaack. Popular forward Matt Rempe was recalled by the New York Rangers from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League on Wednesday after Kaapo Kakko was traded to the Seattle Kraken.
Rempe began the season with the Rangers but was a healthy scratch much more often than he actually played. The towering 22-year-old averaged just 6:26 TOI in four games with the Rangers this season. He didn’t record a point in the limited action and had one fight, against Washington Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath on Oct. 29.
In 18 games with Hartford, Rempe had five points (three goals, two assists) and 22 penalty minutes. Most important, he played on the wing and at center, and in all game situations — even strength, power play and penalty kill. That expanded experience should be invaluable for his growth as a player.
Rempe worked hard this offseason to improve his all-around game, including his skating. He spent much of the summer training with Chris Kreider, preparing for a role with the Rangers. However, Adam Edstrom beat him out for a regular spot on the fourth line, and Rempe eventually landed in the AHL.
It was an unpopular move in many circles. Rempe because a huge fan favorite with the Rangers last season, when he racked up 71 penalty minutes in his first 17 NHL games and fought many of the NHL’s top heavyweights, including Matt Martin, Ryan Reaves and Kurtis MacDermid. He also played in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff games and scored New York’s first postseason goal in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Washington Capitals.
With Kakko traded, Brett Berard or Jimmy Vesey could land a regular role on the third line. Otherwise, Rempe will battle those two and Jonny Brodzinski for playing time on the fourth line with Edstrom and Sam Carrick.
Rangers assign Victor Mancini to Hartford after acquiring Will Borgen in trade
The Rangers acquired right-shot defenseman Will Borgen in the trade with the Kraken. That acquisition prompted New York to assign rookie defenseman Victor Mancini to Hartford. The 22-year-old had a great training camp, earned his way on to the opening-night roster when Ryan Lindgren was injured, and played well in the early going with the Rangers. However, his defensive game has sagged considerably since, and he could benefit from an extended stretch in the AHL.
Though Mancini has a very bright future, his 0.37 xGF is worst on the Rangers for skaters who played at least three games, per Natural Stat Trick. His 39.6 Corsi is also worst on the Rangers.
Mancini has five points (one goal, four assists) in 15 games with the Rangers. The Michigan native scored his first NHL goal in Detroit against the Red Wings on Oct. 17. He’s also played six games with Hartford this season and has two goals and five points.
Like Rempe, Mancini will take on a bigger workload in the AHL. More ice time and responsibility will help Mancini grow his game. In a way, it’s a bonus that he’s already played 15 NHL games because he was expected to spend all or most of this season in Hartford anyway.
The Rangers currently have seven defensemen on the roster, with K’Andre Miller on IR with an upper-body injury. Borgen likely will slot in next to Zac Jones on the third pair. Fellow newcomer Urho Vaakanainen, acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in the Jacob Trouba trade, made his Rangers debut in a 2-0 loss at the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, playing the left side in place of Miller.
Chad Ruhwedel played the past two games, but should move back into his role as seventh defenseman with the addition of Borgen.