Despite a disappointing 2024-25 season for the New York Rangers, one bright spot was the significant development of forward Matt Rempe. Veteran defenseman Calvin de Haan, who joined the team in March, was particularly impressed by Rempe’s growth during their brief time as teammates.
“I was honestly shocked,” de Haan said on the Cam and Strick podcast. “People might say he’s not a good player, but he can make plays. He works incredibly hard and has clearly improved. From playing against him to playing alongside him—he can skate and he’s not slow.”
After making a name for himself as a physical presence in the 2023-24 season, Rempe aimed to earn a consistent fourth-line role this year. Early on, however, he was edged out by fellow big man Adam Edstrom and only appeared in three of the team’s first 11 games. He was sent down to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack in November, where he got more ice time in all situations, including special teams.
Rempe was recalled during a miserable 4-15-0 stretch, and though he made an immediate impact with his energy, he also drew an eight-game suspension for elbowing Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen—his second major suspension in just 22 NHL games.
But after returning from that ban, Rempe turned a corner. From January 9 onward, he played all but five games due to injury and emerged as a reliable, hard-working contributor. His play became more complete—balancing speed, effort, and smart two-way hockey. Over the final three months, he scored three goals and totaled eight points, including his first career multi-point game on April 14 against Florida.
“He was playing with real confidence by season’s end,” de Haan said. “It was great to watch.”
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