Rangers fans favor fourth-line role for Matt Rempe: poll

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Rangers fans favor fourth-line role for Matt Rempe: poll

Rangers fans favor fourth-line role for Matt Rempe: poll — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ryan McInerney · Forever Blueshirts

Thu, Aug 13, 2026 ·

6 min read

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Matt Rempe battled injuries for most of last season, and he enters New York Rangers training camp looking to regain some momentum and earn a regular spot in the lineup.

Despite playing a limited role even when healthy, Rempe is always one of the more talked-about Rangers because of his 6-foot-9 frame, physical style and willingness to drop the gloves. As he prepares to compete for a spot this fall, Rangers fans are still divided on what his role should be.

In a Forever Blueshirts poll conducted on X and Facebook, 36.2 percent of fans voted for Rempe to stay in the lineup as a fourth-line winger. Another 24.0 percent preferred the Rangers waive him and assign him to their AHL farm team in Hartford (assuming he clears waivers), while 21.3 percent chose the 13th forward role and 18.6 percent voted to trade him.

The value in Matt Rempe

NHL: Buffalo Sabres at New York Rangers — Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Much of the support for Rempe staying in the Rangers lineup centers on what he brings physically. His ability to stand up for teammates came up repeatedly, with many on Facebook referring to him as the "team's enforcer."

Kathy Geraci pointed to the Rangers' younger players when explaining why she believes Rempe still has a place in the lineup.

"Rempe was improving when he busted up his thumb," Geraci wrote on Facebook, referring to the broken thumb he sustained in an Oct. 23 fight against Ryan Reaves of the San Jose Sharks. "With [Sam] Carrick gone, there's no one to stand up for the smaller players like [Gabe] Perreault , [Drew] Fortescue and [Adam] Sykora ."

Vincent Fonesca agreed, pointing to what Rempe can bring in a fourth-line role.

"He brings energy and has improved," Fonseca commented. "You notice him every shift."

NHL: New York Rangers at Toronto Maple Leafs — Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There is also some reason for fans to want another look at Rempe rather than write him off after last season. He appeared in just 26 games, scoring one goal (which deflected off his leg while he was lying in the crease). His season was disrupted by two separate stints on injured reserve , both of which eventually required surgery, leaving him without a chance to establish himself during the 2025-26 season.

That helps explain why several people focused on what Rempe could still become rather than only what he's shown to this point.

But keeping Rempe on the NHL roster doesn't necessarily mean using him every night. The 13th forward option received 21.3 percent of the vote, and several fans viewed that role as a way for the Rangers to pick their spots with Rempe depending on the opponent.

Wahington campe up multiple times in the discussion, with two people specifically mentioning Tom Wilson and the value of having Rempe available for games expected to be more physical.

"He's the 13th forward you bring in on heavy-hitting games like Capitals/Tom Wilson," Daniel Reardon wrote on Facebook. "On softer teams, put in someone who produces like [Jaroslav] Chmelar. "

Using Rempe in that manner would let the Rangers keep his size and physicality available without committing to him as an everyday fourth-liner. Against teams where size and skill outweigh physicality, they could instead turn to player like Adam Sykora or Chmelar.

And although he has primarily played wing with the Rangers, some fans suggested that the Rangers could get more out of Rempe by giving him a chance to compete for the fourth-line center job.

"Matt Rempe is listed as a center… It's not an accident," Robert Skettini wrote. "He was drafted as a 'raw center project' … Would love to see him compete for the 4C."

Others focused on finding ways for Rempe to make his massive frame more useful, throwing in the idea that the Rangers should use him as a net-front presence — where he could screen goalies, look for deflections and battle for loose pucks around the crease. One commenter brought up the idea of having him "pick up garbage goals" and use his size to make life more difficult for defenders.

There were even some thoughts to experiment with Rempe on special teams. Someone brought up using him on the penalty kill because of his reach and willingness to block shots, while others said he could be available to take draws if a center is thrown out of the faceoff circle.

Concerns about Rempe

Combined, 42.9 percent of voters were ready for the Rangers to either waive Rempe and attempt to assign him to Hartford or trade him altogether.

The criticism throughout the comments largely centered around whether Rempe brings enough outside of his physicality to justify an NHL roster spot. While his supporters repeatedly referred to him as an "enforcer," those not in favor of Rempe used a much different word just as often: "Goon."

His skating is a real concern, with several people questioning whether Rempe can keep up with the pace of today's NHL. Others mentioned his tendency to lose his balance and joked that he first needs to learn how to stay on his feet for an entire game.

NHL: New York Rangers at New York Islanders — Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There's little doubt about the uniqueness Rempe brings because of his size. But that goes only so far if the Rangers believe another forward can give them more in other areas of the game.

John Perratti was among those who believe Rempe's presence doesn't make up for the rest of his limitations.

"He can't skate, he can't shoot, he can't pass, he can't fight," Perratti commented. "He's a waste of a roster spot."

Others weren't necessarily opposed to Rempe's play style — but they questioned whether continuing to rely on fighting and hitting is sustainable.

"He can hit, but he can't fight," Greg Torrey wrote. "Unfortunately that's what everyone wants him for, and it's going to end his career early."

Even some fans who weren't ready to give up on him completely put the responsibility on Rempe to show more in training camp. Rather that guarenteeing him a fourth-line role, they want him to compete with the Rangers' other depth forwards and earn his place in the lineup.

All in all, Rempe enters camp in a familiar situation, with plenty of supporters but no clear consensus on what his role should be.

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