The New York Rangers have made the tough decision to place forward Matt Rempe on injured reserve due to a persistent thumb injury. This setback requires another procedure, putting his return on hold.
At 23, Rempe has already missed 24 games this season. Even when he did make it back onto the ice, he wasn't at full strength, and he felt it.
"I could be better," Rempe admitted back in January, acknowledging the impact of his thumb injury. "It's my top hand, so it’s hard in the battles and stuff, but there’s no excuse.
I gotta win battles. I want to protect the puck better."
Rempe's determination to regain full mobility and strength is clear. He knows that injuries are part of the game, but he's committed to working through it to get back to his best. "I just gotta keep working on the strength and trying to get that mobility back so I can hold my stick properly and fight again," he emphasized.
Rangers coach Mike Sullivan had to make the tough call to scratch Rempe from the lineup for several games due to the injury's lingering effects. Sullivan echoed Rempe's own frustrations, noting that the forward wasn't able to impact the game as he's capable of. "Although he's in a position where he can practice with us all the time, that doesn't mean you're prepared for game competition, especially the game that he plays," Sullivan explained.
While the Rangers are not ruling out a return for Rempe this season, they're prioritizing his recovery, allowing him the time he needs to heal properly. There's no set timeline for when he'll be back, but the focus is on ensuring he's ready when the time comes.