Matt Rempe spent the offseason focused primarily on rehabilitating his hand following two surgeries to repair a broken thumb sustained during last season. The 6-foot-9 forward’s recovery was complicated by an early attempt to return to play, which limited his ability to grip his stick properly and ultimately sidelined him for the majority of the 2025-26 campaign. As a result, Rempe appeared in only nine games last season, a significant setback during a critical phase of his development.

Rempe, 24, now faces increased competition for a spot on the New York Rangers’ roster as he enters the final year of his contract. Several of his former Hartford Wolf Pack teammates are also vying for roles in the Rangers’ bottom-six forward group during the upcoming training camp. The organization may be inclined to keep Rempe on the roster to avoid exposing him to waivers, given that he is no longer waiver-exempt. However, if other prospects, such as Jaroslav Chmelar, outperform him in preseason play, the team could be forced to take risks regarding roster decisions.

Speaking before the Shoulder Check Showcase event at Sacred Heart University on Thursday, Rempe acknowledged that while his hand is not yet fully recovered, “there’s still some time until the season” to continue strengthening it. He reflected on the difficulties of his injury ordeal and stressed the importance of being more forthcoming about his condition in the future. “I got a lot to prove,” he said, emphasizing his determination to return stronger and showcase his full capabilities.

Rempe’s physical style of play, which includes a strong ability to shift momentum through hits and fights, drew attention early in his NHL tenure and contributed meaningfully to the Rangers’ 2023-24 team, which advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. Head coach Mike Sullivan was initially impressed by Rempe’s impact, but his extended time away from the ice has allowed other prospects to emerge and vie for the coach’s favor. How Rempe’s niche role fits into Sullivan’s system remains uncertain.

As Rempe prepares for the upcoming season, he expressed commitment not only to his personal comeback but also to a team resurgence after two challenging seasons. “We got to come back way stronger,” he said, acknowledging the need for improvement across the Rangers’ lineup. Whether Rempe will be part of that renewed effort has yet to be determined.