Rangers Matt Rempe ready to showoff new skills from the offseason

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Joshua Deeds
September 22, 2024 (7:05 PM)

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The New York Rangers should have fierce competition for the roster for the 2024-2025 season.

One of those players who will compete for a spot in the bottom six is firebrand Matt Rempe. He's worked hard during the offseason to improve his skills as a player and wants another shot in the NHL.

Training with Georges Laraque was done to become a better fighter especially when it comes to fighting with guys like Nic Deslauriers, Ryan Reaves, and Kurtis MacDermid.

Last season, he played 17 games in the NHL and went face-to-face with some NHL heavyweights and garnered a lot of fanfare all the while.

Now, he's attempted to become a well-rounded NHLer, after power-skating every day during the offseason.

He's become such a better skater that he's skating faster than some of his teammates. He wants to be a regular NHLer and has focused on his weaknesses during the offseason.

«My balance is way better on my skates,» Rempe said of his improvements. «I think my stride is a lot better. I'm carrying speed better. All my edgework, agility, all those types of stuff. We did a lot of single edgework and a lot of skating stuff, balance. My hands, I worked a lot on my stick handling to be able to protect pucks down low, make plays. I want to showcase that.»

He knows, he won't be handed a roster spot by the Rangers, which is why every day during camp he's attempted to prove, why he belongs in the regular lineup.

«He came in excellent shape,» Laviolette said. «He trained hard this summer. He trained hard on the ice, he trained hard off the ice. He tried to work on all aspects of his game to come back and give himself the best chance. There's no question he is in very good shape.»

The 21-year-old worked hard to keep in shape while honing the blunt skills of his game, to be utilized more than just his fists this season.