The New York Rangers had a busy Wednesday evening as they dealt forward Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for defenseman Will Borgen, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
This trade comes on the heels of Kaapo Kakko being a healthy scratch during Sunday's game against the St. Louis Blues. It was reported that trade talks between the Rangers and Kraken began over the weekend.
Once the trade was finalized, the Rangers then summoned the enforcer Matt Rempe from the Hartford Wolf Pack, while shuffling Victor Mancini to the same AHL affiliate.
Matt Rempe, who was sent down to the minors in late October, didn't record a point or penalty minute in seven appearances with the Rangers earlier this year, but the Blueshirts are apparently counting on his physicality to ignite them.
Last season, Rempe had one goal, and one assist and recorded 71 penalty minutes in 17 regular-season games with the Rangers. He added a goal and 10 penalty minutes in 11 playoff games.
A sixth-round draft pick by New York in the 2020 NHL Draft, perhaps Rempe's grit and toughness are what the roster needs to get things going.
If this Rempe addition to their lineup doesn't help solve the downward spiral the team is currently in, it wouldn't be surprising to see GM Chris Drury continue to make trades to finally turn this season around.
POLL | ||
Will Matt Rempe provide a spark to turn the Rangers season around? | ||
Yes | 37 | 21.9 % |
No | 132 | 78.1 % |
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