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The New York Rangers are in the midst of a much-needed break, and it comes at an opportune time given the team's recent struggles. Although the season started on a high note, the Rangers have faltered lately, losing three consecutive games and five of their last six. The team was in dire need of a reset, and the break provides a chance to regroup.
The loss of goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the remainder of the year has undoubtedly altered the team's trajectory, but not all of the recent woes can be attributed to goaltending. The Rangers' last outing was on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings, which ended their perfect home record. They won't return to action until Sunday when they host the Edmonton Oilers.
Edmonton, powered by Connor McDavid's sensational start to the season, is playing strong hockey and will present a tough challenge for the Rangers on Sunday. However, beyond this upcoming matchup, the two teams could potentially become trade partners in the near future.
Oilers Seeking Toughness
Frank Seravalli of Sportsnet recently reported that the Oilers may have interest in Rangers forward Matt Rempe. According to Seravalli, Edmonton, under the guidance of Mike Babcock, is looking to add toughness to its lineup, and Rempe fits that mold. The 24-year-old enforcer has seen minimal action this season, appearing in just two of the Rangers' 14 games and averaging under seven minutes of ice time per game. Although Rempe missed significant time last year with a thumb injury, he was healthy during training camp and the preseason but still hasn't earned much playing time.
For an Oilers team in search of added grit, Rempe could be the answer. He is unafraid to engage physically and could serve as an enforcer to protect Edmonton's star players. The Oilers must be strategic moving forward without a long-term commitment from McDavid, who is determined to win a Stanley Cup. While adding Rempe would be a minor move, it could address a specific need for Edmonton.
Nick Ziegler is an alumnus of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting and has nearly a decade of experience covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL for various online publications. He is currently the publisher for the New York Rangers On SI Site. In his free time, he enjoys being at the Jersey Shore with his wife, daughter, and their golden retriever. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @NickZiegler20.