The New York Rangers bolstered their bottom-six forward group by claiming 24-year-old Tye Kartye from the Seattle Kraken on Friday afternoon. This waiver acquisition came after Seattle placed Kartye on waivers on Thursday, following his healthy scratch in their game against the Dallas Stars upon returning from the Olympic break. This move marks the Rangers’ second pickup off waivers this season, the first being defender Vincent Iorio, acquired from the San Jose Sharks on January 31.
Kartye’s Background and Playing Style
Tye Kartye, an undrafted player, signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Kraken in March 2022. Over the course of three NHL seasons with Seattle, Kartye has amassed 41 points, including 20 goals and 21 assists, across 180 games. This season, he has collected eight points (three goals, five assists) through 40 games, serving mainly as a fourth-line forward and contributing on the penalty kill. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 202 pounds, Kartye plays with a physical presence, ranking third on the Kraken with 98 hits.
Defensively, Kartye has shown reliability, supported by positive shorthanded performance metrics noted by Evolving Hockey. Despite struggles to consistently produce offense at the NHL level, he has demonstrated scoring ability in lower leagues, recording 45 goals and 79 points in 61 OHL games during the 2021-22 season, and tallying 27 goals last year with Seattle’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Kartye carries a $1.25 million average annual value contract and will become a restricted free agent following the 2026-27 season.
Roster Changes Prompted by Kartye’s Arrival
To accommodate Kartye on the Rangers’ 23-man NHL roster, New York assigned forward Brennan Othmann, 23, to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. Othmann, a 2021 first-round pick (16th overall), has struggled to secure a regular spot at the NHL level, recording only one goal in 17 games this season and totaling three points in 42 career NHL games. Defensive lapses have hindered his ability to establish himself in the middle-six forward roles.
Reflecting on Othmann’s progress, Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan commented ahead of a February 5 game,
“I think there are elements of his game that have to continue to improve in order for him to establish himself as an NHL player.”
Othmann was a healthy scratch just before the NHL’s Olympic pause and briefly returned to action on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers, logging 8:47 on ice with a plus-one rating. While he may return to the NHL squad in the near future, especially if general manager Chris Drury moves any veterans at the March 6 trade deadline, Othmann’s inconsistent performance and impending restricted free agent status suggest his tenure with the Rangers could soon end.
Role of Tye Kartye Moving Forward
Although Kartye’s addition is unlikely to be a major offensive catalyst for the Rangers, his defensive aptitude and penalty-killing skills make him a valuable depth option as the team approaches the trade deadline. The Rangers face a critical need for playmakers, particularly after trading star winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings. Multiple rumors involve Team USA Olympic center Vincent Trocheck in potential trades, and general manager Chris Drury is also considering moving veteran bottom-six forwards such as Sam Carrick, Taylor Raddysh, Conor Sheary, and Jonny Brodzinski.
Among these, Sam Carrick stands out as a useful player for contenders. At 34, Carrick provides a gritty, physical game, plays a key fourth-line center role, and carries a manageable $1 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season. Meanwhile, Raddysh, Sheary, and Brodzinski, all on expiring contracts, may yield late-round draft picks if traded. With possible roster shuffling after the deadline, the Rangers could rely on Kartye to fill gaps in their bottom six and bolster their penalty kill, roles he handled effectively with the Kraken.
The Rangers’ Strategy With Emerging Players
The Rangers should avoid expecting Kartye to develop into a middle-six forward with significant offensive contributions, as his 180-game NHL track record suggests any scoring is a bonus. However, considering the Rangers currently rank near the bottom of the league with 51 points after a recent 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers, their playoff chances appear slim.
Given these circumstances, it makes sense for the Rangers to experiment with young talent like Kartye in the hopes of uncovering useful contributors. The team’s farm system is not strong, so opportunities to add promising players at the NHL level should not be wasted. Currently, the Rangers have 47 players under standard contracts, leaving room to carry up to the NHL limit of 50. General manager Drury can use this roster flexibility to pursue further changes via trades or waiver acquisitions.
A review of the Rangers’ roster illustrates they have little to lose by taking chances on players like Kartye as they seek to regain competitiveness.
