The New York Rangers have made a bold move in the NHL’s late-season shuffle, claiming 24-year-old winger Tye Kartye off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on February 27, 2026. As the NHL trade deadline looms, the Rangers are clearly signaling a shift toward retooling, and Kartye’s arrival could mark the start of a new chapter for both player and team.
Kartye, a Kingston, Ontario native, has had quite the journey since going undrafted out of the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds. After signing as a free agent with the Kraken in 2022, he wasted no time making an impact at the professional level. His rookie campaign with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds was nothing short of electric—Kartye racked up 28 goals and 29 assists for a total of 57 points in 72 games, helping to propel the Firebirds to the Calder Cup Final. As Keegan Jarvis pointed out, Kartye’s Firebirds squared off against future Rangers teammate Vincent Iorio’s Hershey Bears in that memorable series.
That standout AHL season earned Kartye a call-up to the Kraken for the 2022-23 NHL playoffs, where he immediately made his presence felt. In just 10 postseason games, he notched three goals and two assists, finishing with five points. Expectations were high as he transitioned to the NHL full-time, and Kartye delivered a solid rookie campaign with the Kraken—scoring 11 goals and 20 points in 77 games during the 2023-24 season.
But the seasons that followed brought their share of challenges. Kartye’s offensive production dipped, with just six goals and 13 points in 63 games last year, and only three goals and five assists for eight points in 40 games so far this season. He’s also found himself as a healthy scratch 17 times during the current campaign, and his role with the Kraken diminished as the team opted to keep waiver-exempt Jacob Melanson in the AHL instead.
Despite these struggles, Kartye remains a serviceable bottom-six forward, known for his physical play and secondary role on the penalty kill. He’s averaged 2.79 hits per game over his 180 NHL appearances, tallying 98 hits this season alone while logging an average ice time of 10:42 per game. His career line stands at 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points, with a -21 rating—a testament to his consistent, if not flashy, contribution on the ice.
According to The Athletic’s Vincent Mercogliano, the Rangers were drawn to Kartye’s size, physicality, and penalty-killing prowess. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 202 pounds, Kartye may not be the biggest forward on the ice, but he plays with the kind of grit and determination that coaches and fans alike appreciate. "They like Kartye for his size, physicality and PK ability. Has also scored a bit at lower levels and had 11 goals for the Kraken two seasons," Mercogliano noted.
Kartye’s versatility is another asset. While he’s primarily a left winger, he’s shown he can fill in at center if needed—a useful trait for a Rangers squad currently managing injuries and roster churn in their bottom-six forward group. With Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom both sidelined, Kartye is expected to slot right into the fourth line, bringing some much-needed depth and energy.
Financially, the move is a low-risk gamble for the Rangers. Kartye is under contract through the 2026-27 season with a manageable $1.25 million cap hit and will become a restricted free agent at the end of the deal. For a team that’s already moved star winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings and announced its intention to retool, adding a young, cost-controlled forward makes sense as the March 6 trade deadline approaches.
The claim did, however, force the Rangers to make a roster move. With the team already at the 23-man limit, Brennan Othmann was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack to make room for Kartye. Othmann, who scored just one goal in 17 games with the Rangers this season, will look to rediscover his scoring touch in the AHL. As for the waiver-exempt Scott Morrow, speculation remains that he could also be sent to Hartford if further roster adjustments are needed.
Looking back on Kartye’s career trajectory, it’s clear that his path has been anything but straightforward. From undrafted OHL standout to AHL rookie sensation, and then to an NHL depth role, Kartye has had to fight for every opportunity. His rookie AHL season remains a highlight, as he finished third on the Firebirds in points and played a key role in their run to the Calder Cup Final. Since then, he’s spent the vast majority of his time in the NHL, aside from a brief three-game AHL stint last season where he notched two goals and two assists.
For the Rangers, Kartye represents both a short-term solution and a potential longer-term project. If the team decides to send him down to their AHL affiliate in Hartford, he’ll have to clear waivers again—giving the Kraken a chance to reclaim him. But for now, the Blueshirts seem committed to giving Kartye a shot to prove himself in New York, especially as they navigate a period of transition and potential roster upheaval.
The move also comes against the backdrop of broader NHL roster maneuvering. On the same day, St. Louis Blues forward Mathieu Joseph cleared waivers after being waived a day earlier. Joseph, 29, has two goals and 11 points in 39 games this season and carries a $2.95 million cap hit as he approaches unrestricted free agency.
As the trade deadline draws closer, all eyes will be on how the Rangers integrate Kartye and whether he can recapture the spark that made him such a promising prospect just a couple of years ago. Will a change of scenery and a new role in Manhattan reignite Kartye’s offensive game, or will he remain a gritty, hardworking presence on the fourth line? Only time will tell, but for now, Rangers fans have a new face to watch as the team embarks on its latest rebuild.
With one more year left on his contract and plenty of motivation to prove his worth, Tye Kartye will be eager to seize this fresh opportunity. The Rangers, meanwhile, continue to shuffle the deck, hoping that a few smart, low-risk moves can help lay the foundation for future success. The NHL’s trade deadline may be just around the corner, but the real intrigue in New York could be how Kartye fits into the Blueshirts’ evolving puzzle.