Rangers’ fan-favorite young enforcer could play larger role next season

The New York Rangers are looking for that missing piece to turn them from deep postseason contenders to Stanley Cup champions. While they managed to make it back to the Eastern Conference Finals this season, Rangers fans were ultimately left disappointed with a team that truly had “Cup-or-bust” expectations.

The Rangers could rely more on Matt Rempe next season

Rookie forward Matt Rempe made his debut last season and quickly won over the hearts of Rangers fans. His willingness — eagerness, even — to fight made him one of the team’s most exciting players. But as the Blueshirts progressed deeper in the playoffs, Rempe’s ice time continued to diminish.

Although he is an exciting and physical presence on the ice, Rempe’s over-aggression at times made him a liability on the ice. Consequently, head coach Peter Laviolette decreased his role in the lineup. However, that role could increase in the upcoming 2024 season.

The Rangers could rely more on Matt Rempe next season

Sure, Rempe’s overaggression can be problematic at times. But it also brings an important element of physicality to the lineup that is otherwise absent.

The Rangers’ lineup seemed to run out of gas toward the end of the team’s 2024 playoff run. They often looked out-muscled during the Eastern Conference Finals against an uber-physical Florida Panthers squad that went on to hoist the Cup. The Rangers needed a player who could step on the ice and bruise the opposition.

Who possesses that skill set? Rempe.

The 6-foot-9 Canadian forward brings the exact physicality and aggression to the ice that was missing from the Rangers’ lineup during the postseason.

In the upcoming 2024 campaign, Rempe could get more ice time and bring that physicality to the lineup. Following the release of veteran forward Barclay Goodrow, the Rangers have a need for another gritty forward who can step up and make an impact in their bottom six. That ice time could be given to Rempe this season.