Brennan Osman has become the first Rangers forward prospect to get a call-up to Hartford this season.
Matt Lempe was recalled shortly after he was ejected during the first period of Thursday’s 6-5 overtime loss against the Sharks. This happened after the 6-foot-9 winger engaged in a fight with veteran Ryan Reaves, stemming from a situation involving Juuso Parsinen.
There’s some uncertainty regarding Osman’s call-up. It might be a precautionary measure as the Rangers prepare for their upcoming games in Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Seattle. After some rough plays, Rempe went directly to the locker room.
Coach Mike Sullivan mentioned that Rempe was still under evaluation after the game due to an upper-body injury.
If Lempe can’t play, it could open a significant opportunity for the 22-year-old Osman.
The Rangers had cut Osman from training camp before other promising players like Noah Laba and Brett Berard. It’s been a tough preseason for the No. 16 pick of the 2021 draft, as he hasn’t quite found his pace in the NHL so far.
While the Rangers were in Osman’s hometown of Toronto, Sportsnet’s Elliott Friedman reported some NHL interest in the young player, adding that the Rangers are seeking prospects in exchange.
It seems a change might be good for Osman. This recall could allow him to bring some needed energy to the lineup, or possibly serve as a showcase for the Rangers if they intend to make a trade.
The status of Lempe regarding the trip to Calgary would likely clarify after the team practices at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. It would be unfortunate if he couldn’t make the trip back to his hometown, particularly with his solid start to the season.
“My first year at Hartford, I did what I needed to carve my path,” Rempe said on Thursday. “I didn’t play a lot, but I built my game through practice and experience. Maybe, at the NHL level, my game wasn’t quite ready. But now, I feel my game has developed a lot, and I can really step up.”
Before the recent matchup, Sullivan had given Rempe and his line more ice time than previous coach Peter Laviolette did. On occasions when the trio usually performs well, they found themselves on the third line.
Rempe, who has played 13 minutes and 47 seconds this season (averaging around 9 minutes and 48 seconds per game), expressed that the additional ice time has helped him settle into the game and build confidence. He feels he’s learning something new with each game, which has enhanced his control over his plays.
Having played a key role on the power play during his earlier career with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Rempe is now getting his first NHL chance at the front of the net for the Rangers’ second unit.
“It’s great to have earned the staff’s trust,” Lempe commented. “That was my goal. I’m excited, but it can be a bit nerve-wracking too… Still young, you know? Things have been going well, but there’s definitely room to improve. I like where I’m at, and I just want to keep on building.”
