Per Larry Brooks, the Rangers have agreed on a 2 year contract extension with Matt Rempe. The extension comes with a $975,000 cap hit, right in line with our expectations this offseason. The Matt Rempe contract will take Rempe through his age-24 season and is solid value for a fourth line player who has been steadily improving. Rempe was thought to be an offer sheet risk, though I’m unsure how believable that is, and this removes the offer sheet possibility.
Rempe has had an up and down career, starting his NHL career off with a bang before reckless play resulted in a target on his back. The target impacted his ability to even play cleanly, as the 6’9 forward was often whistled for penalties because players would skate into him and fall down. That seems to have subsided, partly due to the refs being called out, and partly due to Rempe being more cautious and aware of his size.
At $975,000, the Matt Rempe contract is fine. Stanley Cup teams win by finding efficiency on their fourth line with cheaper players, and Rempe right now can be one of those players. Assuming he continues to progress, and his off-ice work ethic is phenomenal, he could be a solid bargain.
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