Matt Rempe is the kind of player the NHL has almost pushed out of the picture, which is exactly why he stands out.
The Calgary-born forward is built like a throwback. At 6-foot-9 and 261 pounds, he plays a heavy, physical game that fits the old-school mold of enforcers such as Donald Brashear, Derek Boogaard and Georges Laraque.
That style was on display from the start, too. In his NHL debut, Rempe dropped the gloves with veteran Islanders tough guy Matt Martin on his first shift.
Rempe came up through the Spruce Grove Saints of the AJHL, now part of the BCHL, and the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds. In his draft year, he put up 31 points in 47 games before the New York Rangers took him 165th overall in 2020. Since reaching the league, he has logged 10 NHL fights, with notable bouts against Nicolas Deslauriers, Mathieu Olivier, Arber Xhekaj and Ryan Reaves.
That kind of edge is exactly why his name comes up for the Calgary Flames. After losing Ryan Lomberg to free agency this past summer, Calgary has a lot less bite in its lineup.
The team is also trying to clear room for younger players, which could make a move involving Adam Klapka - whether to the AHL or in a trade - part of the equation if a player like Rempe became available. At 24 years old, he fits the age range the Flames could work with.
He also carries the kind of local connection that would matter in Calgary. Being a Calgarian himself, he’d instantly draw attention from the fan base. And while he’s not going to win games with scoring touch or playmaking, he brings exactly what his profile says he does: grit, size and a willingness to make life uncomfortable.
That’s a trait the Flames have long valued. As an organization, they’ve consistently leaned toward big, rugged players who can shield younger scorers, with names like Ryan Lomberg, AJ Greer, Milan Lucic, Deryk Engelland and Brian McGrattan all fitting that type.
Rempe has also been active in the community, regularly taking part in the Junior Rangers Hockey Camp and becoming a fan favorite there.
From a roster-building standpoint, he wouldn’t cost much. A trade involving something like a 7th-round pick or a waiver claim is the kind of price the Flames would likely be looking at if they decided to take a swing. Even then, he’s still trying to earn a spot with the Rangers heading into camp this September.
Nobody is pretending Rempe has limitless upside. He’s the sort of player you carry as a 13th forward when a Battle of Alberta gets nasty, the same kind of role Ryan Lomberg filled last season. Enforcers aren’t in demand the way they once were, but Rempe could still be a useful, entertaining piece for Craig Conroy and Flames management - especially if Calgary wants a homegrown heavyweight ready to stir things up when Edmonton comes to town.
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