Breaking News: New York Rangers Part Ways with Cherished Enforcer in Hypothetical Exchange for Winger.
As the preseason comes to an end, the New York Rangers face tough decisions regarding their roster. Several players are vying for positions as the team finalizes its lineup for the opening night.
Among those competing for a spot in the Rangers’ bottom six are fan-favorite enforcers Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom, both aiming for a position on the fourth line for the regular season. Instead of making the challenging choice to keep one and cut the other, the Rangers might consider finding a trade partner to move one of their forwards.
In a recent mock trade, it was suggested that the Rangers could trade Rempe to the Toronto Maple Leafs. This scenario was proposed by a user on the PuckGM tool from PuckPedia (h/t Heavy.com). The trade would involve a one-for-one exchange, with the Rangers receiving Nick Robertson, a bottom-six winger for Toronto who requested a trade this summer. Like Rempe, Robertson’s position on the Maple Leafs is uncertain.
If the trade were to happen, Robertson could serve as a winger on the Rangers’ third line. The 23-year-old, who was selected in the second round of the 2019 draft, has been with the Maple Leafs on and off for the past four years, playing a career-high 56 games last season. During those games, he had a productive showing, racking up 27 points (14 goals and 13 assists) and achieving a +4 rating. He represents a promising young winger who could add valuable minutes to New York’s bottom six.
However, it may be just as challenging for Robertson to secure a spot on the Rangers as it is on the Maple Leafs. Currently, the Rangers’ third line features Will Cuylle, Filip Chytil, and Kaapo Kakko, none of whom are likely to be replaced by a newcomer like Robertson. While there might be a chance for Robertson on the fourth line, it’s hard to see how he would fit into that physical and aggressive unit.
Ultimately, making this trade wouldn’t be the best move for the Rangers. Rempe is a talented young player with a strong following among fans and team legends. He has been dedicated to his training this summer, even living with veteran goalie Jonathan Quick as they prepare for the season. Rather than risking a move for one of the Maple Leafs’ cast-offs, the Rangers should focus on developing Rempe further.
