In a shocking move that few saw coming, the New York Rangers have cut ties with towering forward Matt Rempe just weeks after his polarizing postseason performance. The 6-foot-7 enforcer, known as much for his thunderous hits as his penchant for drawing penalties, was placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination early this morning, sending a wave of surprise through Rangers fans and hockey analysts alike. But that wasn’t the only bombshell out of New York today—the Mets also made significant roster changes in what appears to be a franchise-wide shake-up in both hockey and baseball within the Big Apple.
Matt Rempe’s departure is both a symbolic and practical move by the Rangers. Though he earned cult-hero status among fans for his physical play, Rempe struggled with discipline, often taking poorly timed penalties that cost the team dearly. In the first-round series loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, Rempe found himself scratched after a series of infractions, including a controversial elbowing penalty that turned the tide of Game 4. The Rangers coaching staff appeared to lose confidence in his ability to adapt to the pace and intelligence of playoff hockey.
Multiple sources confirm the decision to cut Rempe came after internal meetings between GM Chris Drury and head coach Peter Laviolette, who reportedly expressed concern about Rempe’s long-term fit in a locker room that is now shifting toward leadership-by-example and skill-first hockey. The Rangers’ youth movement is in full swing, and with players like Brennan Othmann, Will Cuylle, and Gabe Perreault knocking on the NHL door, there simply wasn’t enough space for a one-dimensional enforcer whose playing style increasingly clashes with the league’s evolving identity.
The ripple effects weren’t limited to the rink. Just hours after the Rempe news broke, the New York Mets announced a trio of roster moves that have turned heads across Major League Baseball. The most significant: slugger J.D. Martinez has been designated for assignment in a move that paves the way for top prospect Drew Gilbert to be called up to the big leagues. This signals a potential youth injection into the Mets’ lineup, which has sputtered during the early part of the 2025 season.
According to insiders close to the organization, Mets President David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza are looking to make a statement—that mediocrity is no longer acceptable, and the franchise is pivoting toward aggressive, future-forward roster construction. These parallel shake-ups between the Rangers and the Mets suggest a broader cultural shift in New York sports: the era of nostalgia and patience may be ending, replaced by a win-now, no-nonsense mentality.
As for Rempe, his future in professional hockey is uncertain. While his size and fearlessness will undoubtedly draw interest from other teams—perhaps even across the Atlantic in Europe or in the AHL—it’s unclear whether he’ll get another NHL opportunity any time soon. The Rangers, meanwhile, appear committed to moving forward with a younger, faster, and more disciplined roster as they regroup from yet another playoff disappointment.
Stay tuned for more updates on both the Rangers’ offseason maneuvers and the Mets’ continued roster overhauls as this summer in New York promises to be anything but quiet.