![\"Matt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/matt-rempe-73-new-york-144933426.jpg\")
Matt Rempe (73) of the New York Rangers skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in New York. NHLI via Getty Images<\/p>\nMatt Rempe has been on the ice just once since Sept. 29 and not at all after Oct. 13 \u2014 getting less than four minutes of ice time in that game \u2014 as the 6-foot-9 fourth-liner struggles to find a role on the Rangers this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s tough,\u2019\u2019 Rempe said following Saturday\u2019s practice in Tarrytown. \u201cIt\u2019s basically out of my control and all I can do is what I control in practice. I\u2019m just getting my work in so if that during the game, I\u2019ll make sure I\u2019m ready when I get the call.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rempe can\u2019t be sent down to the AHL without clearing waivers, which means the Rangers could lose him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He played in 26 games a year ago after appearing in a career-high 42 in 2024-25, when he compiled 67 penalty minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old said he was \u201cfrustrated\u201d by his lack of playing time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve just got to work hard,\u2019\u2019 Rempe said. \u201cI think it\u2019s a stylistic thing, which is tough. I just want to play and make sure I\u2019m continuing to get better so that when I do get an opportunity, I show I can earn some more runway.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added he feels \u201cgreat\u201d physically after having appeared in just two of the Rangers\u2019 first 14 games on the year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Matt Rempe (73) of the New York Rangers skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in New York. NHLI via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Joonas Korpisalo had his first full practice Saturday since he contracted a foot infection at the beginning of the regular season. The 32-year-old resumed skating last weekend and practiced briefly Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mike Sullivan said the Rangers are still considering the best way to bring Korpisalo back, since he\u2019s been sidelined for over a month.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest step here is to get him healthy and then decide the best course of action,\u2019\u2019 Sullivan said. \u201cIt all depends on how he progresses. We\u2019re encouraged with his progression.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Korpisalo\u2019s absence, coupled with the season-ending injury to Igor Shesterkin, has forced the Rangers to use Dylan Garand in every game.\u00a0<\/p>\n Following a five-day break in the schedule, the Rangers have four games in seven days starting Sunday at the Garden against Edmonton.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead the expert take on the Blueshirts\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for Inside the Rangers, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThank you\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Sullivan said he was unsure if Korpisalo would be available during that stretch or if he\u2019d need a game in the AHL before being activated.\u00a0<\/p>\n Current backup James Reimer was pulled<\/a> after just one period in their last game.\u00a0<\/p>\n