Breaking news:NY Rangers bring back Matthew Robertson hoping for next step in his… See more
The New York Rangers signed Matt Rempe to a two-year contract extension on Tuesday, and today they’ve announced a similar deal for defenseman Matthew Robertson
The New York Rangers have inked a two-year contract extension with 24‑year‑old defenseman Matthew Robertson, signaling continued belief in his potential and a push for further growth in his game
Length & Structure: The deal runs through the 2026‑27 season, featuring a two‑way contract in the first year and a one‑way contract in the second
Salary: It carries the NHL league‑minimum of $750,000
The contract offers the Rangers added roster flexibility, reinforcing the blue line without committing to a full-time NHL cap hit immediately.
📈 Recent Performance & Development
Robertson was drafted 49th overall in 2019 and spent most of the past five seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). In 2024‑25, he recorded a career-high 25 points in 60 AHL games (1 goal, 24 assists), showing notable offensive progression
He made his NHL debut in April 2025, skating 15 minutes and holding his own alongside Adam Fox in a 5-3 win over Florida. Coach Peter Laviolette praised his play—”overall really good”
🔍 Why the Rangers Are Betting on Him
Size & mobility: At 6’4″ with solid skating and gap control, Robertson fits the prototype of a reliable NHL defenseman.
Defensive-first promise: His game is grounded in solid positional play and dependable defensive work
Top prospect rebound: Despite delays and earlier skepticism about his ceiling, recent strides in AHL production and confidence (with offseason mental coach support) offer hope for NHL consistency
🧩 Squad Dynamics & Roster Picture
With Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren traded last season, the Rangers’ defense corps needed depth. Robertson now joins Adam Fox, Braden Schneider, Will Borgen, Urho Vaakanainen, and Carson Soucy as contracted defensemen for 2025‑26
The team also faces decisions on RFAs like K’Andre Miller and Zac Jones—Robertson’s progression could influence these roster and contract choices
🔜 What’s Next for Robertson?
Consistent NHL role: The one-way second year suggests the Rangers want him competing for a main roster spot out of training camp.
Building on debut: The club expects him to build on his encouraging April performance and translate AHL improvement into his NHL game.
Season outlook: At worst, Robertson serves as a scrappy third-pairing depth player. At best, he could stabilize the lineup and potentially outshine other RFAs.
Match Game Summary
Aspect | Insight |
---|---|
Contract | 2‑year deal, first-year two-way, second-year one-way |
Production | Career-best 25 AHL points; solid NHL debut |
Strengths | Size, skating, defense-first mentality |
Outlook | Competing for NHL roster spot; key to depth planning |
The Rangers are clearly signalling their faith in Robertson, giving him another opportunity to make the leap from AHL standout to NHL mainstay—and possibly help shape the team’s defensive core moving forward.
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