There weren't a lot of positives for the New York Rangers to take from their trainwreck of a season in 2024-25. But Matt Rempe 's growth as an NHL player the second half of the season was most definitely a positive development.
Veteran defenseman Calvin de Haan was Rempe's teammate for only six weeks after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche on March 1, but he was really impressed with the towering forward's work ethic, skill and overall improvement.
"I was honestly shocked. He's come a long way," de Haan said on the Cam and Strick podcast. "And I might get some flack for this if some listeners are going to tell me he's the worst hockey player on planet earth, but he can make a pass, man. I mean, he works hard in practice. He works to get better religiously and it's definitely shown. Like from playing against him to being his teammate, like I was shocked. I mean he can move, too. Straight lines, man, he's f—ing going. He's not slow."
After bursting on the scene as a raw physical force over 17 games and 11 more in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2023-24, Rempe worked hard in the offseason to put himself in a spot to contend for regular playing time on the fourth line this season.
That didn't quote work out the way he hoped. Rempe was beaten out by another towering (6-foot-6) forward, Adam Edstrom , and played in three of the first 11 games. He was sent to Hartford of the American Hockey League at the start of November and received extended ice time, playing in all game situations including special teams.
Rempe was called up to play one game with the Rangers between Nov. 1 and Dec. 20, missing most of the worst stretch of their season. Seeking a spark from the popular 22-year-old, the Rangers recalled Rempe during a 4-15-0 stretch. In his first game, Rempe received a major penalty for elbowing Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen and was suspended for eight games.
That was his second lengthy suspension just 22 games into his NHL career. Things needed to change, and to Rempe's credit, they did upon his return from the suspension. Rempe earned more ice time and responsibility as a lineup regular, playing all but five games (due to injury) from, Jan. 9 until the end of the season.
Rempe became a force. Not because he was dropping the gloves, which he did on occasion, but more so with a dynamic all-around game, full of effort, speed, physicality and smart play at both ends of the rink.
He had three goals and eight points over the final three months of the season, including his first multi-point game , a two-pointer (goal, assist) against the Florida Panthers on April 14. Rempe looked the part of a young player that could be counted on to shift momentum in games in a bottom-six role.
"He was playing with confidence at the end of the year," de Hann noted. "It was great to see. I loved it. It was awesome."
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Perhaps, de Haan played a small role in Rempe's turnaround. The 13-year NHL veteran had some advice for the 6-foot-8 youngster shortly after arriving from Colorado.
"After I got there, I think he was just coming off a suspension and in a week there was another questionable hit in there, and I told him, 'You've got to just stop hitting guys. Just run into them.' There's a difference, trust me. Just run into guys. Don't try and hit them," de Haan explained.
He noticed that Rempe's elbows came up even higher when he attempted to deliver a big check and drive through an opponent. De Haan's advice was that less is more, and a good way to avoid costly penalties and possible suspensions.
"He's huge. He's a gigantic guy. The simple physics alone, he's going into the corner with a guy who's six-feet (tall), he's got six, seven, eight inches on the guy. Simple physics alone, his elbows are up higher," de Haan noted. "Just literally run into guys. I know it sounds stupid but …"
Perhaps Rempe listened to the advice of de Haan. But there's no question he was more mindful of how and when he delivered his hits the second half of the season. There was far less running around trying to land the game-changing hit, and more focus on remaining physical within the parameters of being a more complete hockey player.
"I think he's done a good job becoming the 'Rempire State Building' there. He's a great kid, awesome."
