As the deadline to determine if the New York Rangers will trade their 2025 or 2026 first round pick to the Penguins rapidly approaches, GM Chris Drury worked around the edges to bolster the team’s depth, re-signing a pair of players. Matt Rempe inked a two-year deal with a $975K AAV while Matthew Robertson was also signed to a two-year contract. Rempe certainly is expected to play a larger role than Robertson, who is a depth blueliner. This week and next are huge for New York with Drury likely to make most of the his desired modifications for the 2025-26 season and possibly beyond in this timeframe.
How much does Rempe help the Rangers?
Rempe, more of a fan favorite than an analytics darling, has endeared himself to the Garden faithful with his tireless work ethic and willingness/desire to take the body at every turn. The 22-year-old is coming off a career-high 42 games played last season, including 37 of the team’s final 42 contests. Rempe posted eight points (three goals and five assists) with a plus-seven rating and 40.41% xGF, according to Natural Stat Trick. Those two provide keys on how Rempe is viewed but also why there is belief internally regarding future improvement.
The xGF display a player whose advanced metrics leave a lot to be desired. It’s one reason why many believe the hype surrounding Rempe has been vastly overblown. On the flip side, Rempe playing for 37 of the team’s final 42 contests show a skater who grew during the year after his last suspension. He did a much better job of keeping his elbows in and not putting himself in a position where a suspension might be warranted. The plan is for Rempe to skate on the fourth line with Adam Edstrom, who is returning from injury, and possibly Sam Carrick. Jonny Brodzinski and Brett Berard also will be in the mix for bottom-trio duty, depending on what happens with the third line post trades and free agency.
The skinny on Robertson
Robertson, a second-round pick in 2019, had been passed over by several in the Rangers’ system and looked like her would never get a chance. Injuries and the team’s place in the standings earned Robertson a pair of games in the NHL at the end of last season. The deal is two-way the first year and one-way in the second,. The 24-year-old Robertson will make the league minimum of $750,000 at the NHL level and likely will be an extra blueliner next season.
Drury needs to figure out the blue line, especially who skates next to Adam Fox. Ryan Lindgren was traded last season, and while K’Andre Miller had excellent advanced metrics with Fox, he does not appear to be in consideration for that role, especially since he is on the block based on salary expectations compared to performance. Robertson is the sixth Rangers defenseman under contract for the 2025-26 season, joining Fox, Braden Schneider, Will Borgen, Urho Vaakanainen and Carson Soucy. Drury may look to deal Soucy, who was acquired from Vancouver and has one year at $3.25 million remaining on his contract. The Rangers still have RFAs in Miller and Zac Jones, who could be extended but also might be on the block, to manage before the next campaign.
Draft Decision for Rangers GM Drury
The Rangers landed the 12th pick in this year’s draft in the lottery. Drury originally sent the pick to Vancouver (who quickly flipped it to Pittsburgh) in the Jan. 31 trade that brought J.T. Miller back to New York, but it was top-13 protected. New York has the option of keeping the pick and sending an unprotected 2026 first instead or sending it to Pittsburgh so they can hold onto next year’s first-rounder. Drury has until 7 p.m. on June 25 to inform the Penguins of his choice.
Rumor is that Drury has not yet made a decision, or if he has, he certainly has not revealed his hand. Keeping this year’s pick would show confidence that he expects the team to be better next season and not finish in the lottery. But another season like this would mean New York would miss out on a chance at Gavin McKenna in the lottery. If New York dealt the 2025 pick, that would allow Drury to be a player in the offer sheet market, if one really exists, signing a RFA whose compensation would require a first round. The clock is ticking.
