Rangers coach delivers positive Matt Rempe, Adam Fox injury updates
There was a big reason for the New York Rangers to feel good, when they returned to practice on Tuesday. That’s because popular, towering forward Matt Rempe joined them on the ice for the first time since he sustained an upper-body injury during a fight against Ryan Reaves of the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 23.
The 6-foot-9 winger participated in drills wearing a no-contact red jersey. Coach Mike Sullivan also revealed that Rempe is making the trip to Chicago with the Rangers, who visit the Blackhawks at the United Center on Wednesday. That could be a sign the 23-year-old will be a full participant in practice sooner rather than later.
After facing the Blackhawks, the Rangers do not play again until Saturday, when they host the Montreal Canadiens, giving them two more days between games.
“He skated a fair amount on his own with our skills coaches. The next step is to get him around the group in a team setting in a non-contact jersey. That’s what he was today,” Sullivan said after practice. “And then. obviously. the final step is to get him into game role scenarios.”
Rempe has one goal and seven penalty minutes in nine games this season. He played every game to start the season, and was a force on the forecheck and a committed defensive player. Rempe toned down the theatrics and controversy that were a big part of his first two NHL seasons, and appeared to turn the corner as a trusted bottom-six player on the fourth line.
Which makes it ironic that Rempe was hurt in a fight, his first of the season.
Rempe’s return, when it happens, is most welcome by the Rangers, who’ve had numerous players take shifts on fourth line, centered by Sam Carrick. The other usual staple on that unit, Adam Edstrom, also is injured. Edstrom didn’t practice Tuesday nor will he make the trip to Chicago. He’ll be out for the fourth straight game.
Sullivan noted that Edstrom’s is taking part in the “return-to-play protocol,” but didn’t specify the nature of the 6-foot-7 forward’s injury. Edstrom has four points (two goals, two assists) in 24 games this season.
Adam Fox skates on own, remains on LTIR for Rangers
Sullivan had another small dose of positive injury news Tuesday. He revealed that Adm Fox skated twice on his own since the star defenseman landed on LTIR with an upper-body injury nine days ago.
Fox must miss a minimum of 10 games; Wednesday marks the fifth game he’s out. There’s been no timetable placed on when Fox will actually return, though it’s not expected to be months.
Without the 2021 Norris Trophy winner as top NHL defenseman, the Rangers are 2-0-2, taking six of eight points last week. The Rangers defeated one of the best teams in the League, the Dallas Stars, in overtime a week ago, and also lost twice in OT to the League-leading Colorado Avalanche and high-flying Vegas Golden Knights.
Sullivan’s pleased with how the Rangers fared without Fox to this point.
“I think the guys have done a really good job, they’re competing hard,” Sullivan stated. “He’s not an easy guy to replace. He plays a lot of minutes first and foremost He helps us with our transition game, his ability to move the puck, join the offense. He’s active off the offensive blue line, helps us on the power play, and he defends hard.
“I think the guys that have stepped in have done a real good job as far as bringing what they bring, not trying to do too much, playing within themselves.”
