The Edmonton Oilers are looking for more size in their bottom six, and one name popping up in the trade conversation is New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe.
Rempe brings exactly the kind of profile that turns heads: six-foot-nine, 270 pounds, and already known around the league as a heavyweight with 11 fights in 87 NHL games. According to Sportsnet’s Frank Seravalli, Edmonton’s interest ties back to head coach Mike Babcock, who has reportedly pushed internally for more muscle up front.
“Babcock has campaigned internally for more size and brawn in his forward group, which GM Stan Bowman is now examining on the trade market,” Seravalli wrote, adding that the cost for Rempe is believed to be a mid-round draft pick.
The 24-year-old has mostly been a depth option for the Rangers over the past four years, and two head coaches - Peter Laviolette and now Mike Sullivan - have had trouble figuring out how to use him best. This season, he has appeared in just two games, including one in which he fought Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jeffrey Viel. He has averaged six minutes and 46 seconds of ice time in those appearances.
Over 87 NHL games, Rempe has five goals and 11 points, along with 154 penalty minutes. He has averaged seven minutes and 56 seconds of ice time per game in his career.
Seravalli also framed the fit for Edmonton this way: “It’s not necessarily that the Oilers need a fighter, but perhaps a deterrent so opponents are less inclined to take liberties with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl,” wrote Seravalli. “Plus, so much of Edmonton’s bottom half of their forward corps is homogenous or similar. They could use a change of pace.”
Rempe is eligible for waivers and is in the second year of a two-year deal worth $975,000, according to PuckPedia. He is represented by agent Gerry Johansson, who also represents Oilers forwards Colton Dach and Matthew Savoie.
The Oilers are about to hit the road for a three-game Eastern swing, with stops against the New York Islanders on Saturday, the Rangers on Sunday and the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
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