Oilers Linked to Matt Rempe, But One Major Problem Makes This Trade Hard to Justify

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It is no secret that Mike Babcock values size and grit in his lineup. Throughout the season, he has repeatedly referenced players’ “battle level” and ability to compete when discussing what it takes to win games. When speaking about individual players, Babcock often highlights their physical attributes first, and size has consistently been a point of emphasis.

Take Shakir Mukhamadullin, for example. Babcock once said, “he’s 6-foot-5 every night, and I like that.” Earlier this season, he famously compared Mukhamadullin to a tree instead of a bush, noting that trees are much harder to get around. The message was clear: Babcock wants bigger players.

Matt Rempe?

According to Frank Seravalli, the Edmonton Oilers could have interest in acquiring New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe.

In a recent Sportsnet article, Seravalli reported that Babcock has been pushing internally for more size and toughness up front, and that GM Stan Bowman has begun exploring the market.

“Babcock has campaigned internally for more size and brawn in his forward group, which GM Stan Bowman is now examining on the trade market. One name that Babcock is believed to admire is New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe.”

Rempe, 24, is known for one thing above all else: his size.

Listed at 6-foot-9 and 268 pounds, he is one of the largest players in the NHL and certainly brings an intimidation factor. The problem is that he has yet to show he can consistently provide much beyond that.

Rempe struggles with foot speed, takes his share of penalties, and despite his reputation, he doesn’t fight nearly as often as many fans assume. According to HockeyFights, he has been involved in just 11 regular-season fights over the last three years, including only one last season and one so far this year.

The offensive production is equally underwhelming.

In 82 career NHL games, Rempe has recorded five goals and six assists for 11 points. He averages just 7:56 of ice time per game and has frequently found himself glued to the bench for extended stretches. He has also spent plenty of time as a healthy scratch, with his career-high in games played coming in 2024-25 when he appeared in 42 contests. To be fair, injuries played a role last season, as multiple thumb surgeries limited his availability.

A Realistic Option, But Not a Good Fit

The Oilers could absolutely acquire Rempe if Bowman decides to pursue the type of player Babcock appears to be requesting. The bigger question is whether they should.

Edmonton already has a logjam of bottom-six forwards competing for ice time, and that’s before accounting for a healthy roster. Adding another limited depth forward does little to address the team’s current needs.

More importantly, there is little evidence suggesting Rempe is on the verge of developing into an impact power forward. The modern NHL increasingly prioritizes speed, skill, and puck possession over intimidation, making one-dimensional enforcers less valuable than ever.

The Oilers may already have a better in-house option.

Connor Clattenburg plays the brand of hockey Edmonton would likely hope to get from Rempe. He hits everything in sight, is willing to fight anyone, and creates chaos whenever he’s on the ice. While Clattenburg doesn’t have Rempe’s towering frame at 6-foot-2 and 219 pounds, he projects as a more effective all-around player and still has plenty of runway for development at just 21 years old.

Trading for Rempe doesn’t solve Edmonton’s scoring depth concerns, doesn’t improve the penalty kill, and doesn’t address many of the issues currently holding the team back. If anything, adding another player prone to penalties could create additional strain on a shorthanded unit that has already struggled at times this season.

That said, players built like Rempe don’t grow on trees.

If Babcock pushes hard enough, Bowman could ultimately decide the low-risk gamble is worth taking. The acquisition cost likely wouldn’t be significant. If the conversation starts with a fifth-round pick, there’s at least an argument to be made. Anything more than that, however, should be a non-starter for Edmonton.

Bottom line: Rempe may bring the size Babcock wants, but he doesn’t appear to bring the on-ice impact the Oilers actually need.

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