The Rangers have signed Matt Rempe to a two-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday morning.
The controversial forward who has spent time with the NHL club as well as the AHL in recent seasons is signed for an AAV or $975,000, according to Mollie Walker of the New York Post.
The 22-year-old could have been signed to an offer sheet in free agency, but the Rangers are taking a bet on the towering 6-foot-9 forward maturing and evolving his game.
The former sixth-round pick has already served three suspensions for his heavy hits, most recently an eight-game ban after a hit on Miro Heiskanen against the Stars this past season. Rempe discussed his desire to be more disciplined with his hits, as physicality is a big part of his game.
Rempe played 42 games at the NHL level this past season and tallied three goals, five assists, and led the team with 19.64 hits per 60 minutes. He also played in 18 AHL games.
The Rempe signing is the latest move by Chris Drury and company in what figures to be a new era of Rangers hockey, as the Blueshirts hired a new head coach in Mike Sullivan while trading away Chris Kreider after 13 years with the club. Other restricted free agents that still need to be signed include K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle.