Matt Rempe has been on the ice just once since Sept. 29 and not at all after Oct. 13 — getting less than four minutes of ice time in that game — as the 6-foot-9 fourth-liner struggles to find a role on the Rangers this season.
“It’s tough,’’ Rempe said following Saturday’s practice in Tarrytown. “It’s basically out of my control and all I can do is what I control in practice. I’m just getting my work in so if that during the game, I’ll make sure I’m ready when I get the call.”
Rempe can’t be sent down to the AHL without clearing waivers, which means the Rangers could lose him.
He played in 26 games a year ago after appearing in a career-high 42 in 2024-25, when he compiled 67 penalty minutes.
The 24-year-old said he was “frustrated” by his lack of playing time.
“I’ve just got to work hard,’’ Rempe said. “I think it’s a stylistic thing, which is tough. I just want to play and make sure I’m continuing to get better so that when I do get an opportunity, I show I can earn some more runway.”
He added he feels “great” physically after having appeared in just two of the Rangers’ first 14 games on the year.
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.
Mike Sullivan said the Rangers are still considering the best way to bring Korpisalo back, since he’s been sidelined for over a month.
“The biggest step here is to get him healthy and then decide the best course of action,’’ Sullivan said. “It all depends on how he progresses. We’re encouraged with his progression.”
Korpisalo’s absence, coupled with the season-ending injury to Igor Shesterkin, has forced the Rangers to use Dylan Garand in every game.
Following a five-day break in the schedule, the Rangers have four games in seven days starting Sunday at the Garden against Edmonton.
Sullivan said he was unsure if Korpisalo would be available during that stretch or if he’d need a game in the AHL before being activated.
Current backup James Reimer was pulled after just one period in their last game.
Sean Durzi, who has missed several practices for “maintenance,” was out again Saturday and Sullivan called him day to day … Braden Schneider also sat out practice with an illness and is also day to day … Eeli Tolvanen returned to practice after sitting out due to personal reasons.
