Rangers' Matt Rempe feels sense of desperation to make the team

NEWARK -- The word “desperation’’ gets thrown around a lot in the hockey world. Coaches often talk about being desperate to win, and therefore, being willing to do whatever is necessary, to do that.

The word applies in a different way in the preseason. For players on the bubble as far as making the opening night roster, there is desperation to do something, anything, to convince the coaching staff they deserve to make it.

Matt Rempe feels that desperation.

“One hundred percent,’’ he said Monday, before the Rangers opened their 2026 preseason against the Devils in Prudential Center. “Being on the team last couple years, I love this. I love it. Last year I was hurt, and wasn't really around at all. And it's been a long time for me since my last game. All this [adds to] the sense of desperation I need. I want to be here, bad.’’

Rempe, 24, was one of very few recognizable names in the Rangers’ lineup against the Devils, in what ended up being a surprisingly close, 3-2 loss. Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Jack Hughes scored the Devils’ goals, while Anton Blidh and defenseman Drew Fortescue scored for the Rangers, who looked more like the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack than the Rangers. With Adam Sykora’s first-period lower-body injury leaving the visitors with just 11 forwards, Rempe played 15:19. He had two shot attempts, three hits, and a blocked shot.

Apart from a couple of players vying to make it as the seventh defenseman – or the sixth and seventh, if the Rangers decide not to keep first round pick Alberts Smits to start the season – Rempe might have been the only player playing Monday who had a reasonable chance to be in Boston when the season starts Sept. 29. So, him playing Monday could be a signal that maybe the organization’s braintrust isn’t counting on him being on the big club when the season starts, though coach Mike Sullivan insisted that wasn’t the case.

“Remps just hasn't played, and that's one of the reasons why we're getting him in the lineup tonight,’’ Sullivan said. “He just hasn't played in while, and so he needs to play games.’’

Still, for the first few days of training camp, it looked like Rempe was behind 23-year-old Jaroslav Chmelar in the battle to be the fourth line right wing. Chmelar, who wasn’t in Tuesday’s lineup, has gotten most of the playing time on the fourth line, with left wing Tye Kartye and center Joe Veleno, with Rempe rotating in for some reps.

Rempe, who made his NHL debut in the Stadium Series game against the Islanders in MetLife Stadium in 2024, became an instant fan favorite after fighting Matt Martin on his first shift in that game. And, at 6-9, 268 pounds, he is a weapon as a fourth-line forechecker, piling up monster-sized hits that intimidate opponents, and wear them down over the course of a game.

“Obviously he brings a dimension to our team, and he's very good at it,’’ Sullivan said. “He's an unnerving player. He's a disruptive player. He's a guy that, when he's in your lineup, your opponents take notice. And so, he has the ability to create that anxiety, and helping us [to be] better on the forecheck and, creating turnovers and loose pucks and building momentum for our team.’’

But last year his season was ruined by a thumb injury suffered in an early season fight with ex-Ranger Ryan Reaves that ultimately required two surgeries and ended his season after just 26 games (one goal, 11 penalty minutes).

Chmelar, meanwhile, given a chance late in the seson to audition for Rempe’s role on the fourth line, impressed. At 6-5, 238, Chmelar also is a prolific hitter on the forecheck, and he brings a dimension of his own: He scored four goals in his 28 games for the Rangers last season. Rempe has five goals in 85 career games across three seasons.

Rempe’s advantage in his competition with Chmelar is that he would need to pass through waivers in order for the Rangers to be able to assign him to Hartford. Chmelar, who is still on his rookie contract, does not, meaning if the Rangers are nervous about another team claiming Rempe off waivers, they can keep him up, and send Chmelar down.

Rempe was asked if he’s had conversations with the coaching staff about what he needs to do to make that happen. He has not, he said.

“I think I know what's expected of me,’’ he said. “I know what my game is. I know what's I know what what's expected of me and what I’ve got to bring.’’

Notes & quotes: Dylan Garand played the whole game in goal for the Rangers, making 28 saves . . . D Vincent Iorio, whose giveaway at the end of the second period led to Meier’s goal, did not play in the third period due to an injury. He and Sykora were being evaluated for lower-body injuries, Sullivan said.

By Colin Stephenson

colin.stephenson@newsday.comColinSNewsday

Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.