Stefen Rosner on Morning Cuppa Hockey Talking Islanders The Matt Rempe [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/victor-mancini-earns-permanent-spot-with-rangers] story began under the lights at MetLife Stadium in front of 79,690 people on Feb. 18, 2024, when the New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/victor-mancini-earns-permanent-spot-with-rangers] rookie made his NHL debut against the New York Islanders [https://thn.com/isles]. Veteran Matt Martin gave the 6'7, 241-pound forward the privilege of introducing himself to the hockey world when he agreed to drop the mitts. Around eight months later, the Rempe story is now on hold as the Rangers have optioned him to Hartford of the American Hockey League. He played in two of the Rangers' first seven games, with one block and five hits, averaging 5:39 minutes per game. It's clear that while Rempe may strike fear in the opponents, his physical role on a team with so much offensive talent isn't as needed as maybe it was a few months ago. This transaction came shortly after the Rangers fell 3-1 to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/], a game in which Rempe watched from the press box. The Islanders get their first crack at the Rangers when they head to Madison Square Garden for a Sunday matinee on Nov. 3 with puck drop at 1 PM ET.
