Matt Lempe Reflects on a Challenging Season

The 2025-26 season was certainly a tough one for Matt Lempe.

Due to a persistent thumb injury, the 6-foot-9 forward only played 26 games. He was eager to get back on the ice in December, but perhaps that eagerness led to his downfall.

Initially, after his first surgery, he struggled to grip a stick properly. Yet, he pushed himself to return too soon, which ultimately sent him back to injured reserve. By February, he underwent a second procedure, missing the rest of the season.

“I think I learned to be a bit more honest about how things really feel,” he mentioned recently as the Rangers wrapped up their season. “It was a valuable lesson. I tend to be the kind of person who just wants to get back out there. If I have the chance to play, I’ll take it. I believe we needed to communicate better about my situation. I really didn’t want to go through a second surgery, but I came to realize I had to be all in.”

“I had to monitor my recovery closely. If things didn’t align as expected, I was going to have to address it,” he continued, reflecting on the ordeal. “It became a learning experience, albeit a tough one, as it resulted in a different procedure.” He sighed, indicating it was frustrating to have to go through that.

Lempe, known for his physical play, found it difficult to step back from the game while recuperating. The limitations affected his ability to contribute, leaving him feeling somewhat disconnected.

The stretch from late December to January was particularly tough for him. “I just didn’t feel like myself, just kinda skating around,” he shared.

“That wasn’t me at all,” he added ruefully.

Currently, Lempe has a contract worth $975,000 for the next season and is looking forward to training camp with some former teammates from the Wolfpack, all while vying for a bottom-six lineup spot.

“I want to play well every night, be physical, and stick to my game. When I can’t do that, I feel kind of down. That month was really challenging for me. But in a way, it provided valuable lessons. There will be ups and downs, and yes, it was tough, but it’s also how you bounce back that counts,” he expressed, hoping for a brighter future.

Meanwhile, Adam Edstrom had his own struggles, missing 33 games following an ankle fracture in December, which also required surgery.

“I played for nearly six weeks, but ultimately, my doctors and I made the best decision for my long-term career,” he stated.

Among the Rangers players speaking to the media that day, Urho Vaakanainen from Finland and Adam Sykora from Slovakia planned to join their national teams for the upcoming World Championships in May.

Coach Gabe Perreault mentioned discussions with Team USA regarding participation in this year’s event, but he opted not to play, focusing instead on a vital summer of training. “I want to spend more time in the gym and enhance my fitness,” he said.