The Blueshirts reassigned the 6-foot-9 rookie to AHL Hartford following Thursday's 3-1 loss to Florida Panthers, which marked his fifth healthy scratch through seven games. He was squeezed out by fellow rookie Adam Edström, who, along with veteran Jonny Brodzinski, have emerged as fourth-line preferences for head coach Peter Laviolette.

Never before have the Rangers unexpectedly acquired a gem of a headliner – and in less than a year – turned him into garbage. Which is the unfortunate saga of Matt Rempe who has spiraled from the most popular Blueshirt to a tossed away body in Hartford.