The New York Rangers claimed bottom-six forward Tye Kartye off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Friday afternoon.
Seattle placed the 24-year-old on waivers the day before, after he was a healthy scratch Wednesday against the Dallas Stars, when the Kraken returned from the Olympic break.
It marks New York’s second waiver acquisition this season, after claiming 23-year-old defenseman Vincent Iorio from the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 31.
Kartye was undrafted and signed a three-year entry-level contract with Seattle in March 2022. He has 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 180 games across three NHL seasons with the Kraken.
In 40 games this season, he notched eight points (three goals, five assists), primarily serving as a fourth-line forward and penalty killer. At 5-foot-11 and 202 pounds, Kartye plays with a noticeable physical edge; he ranked third on the Kraken with 98 hits.
Kartye is a responsible defensive forward with encouraging short-handed metrics, per Evolving Hockey. He’s struggled to produce offensively in the NHL, although he enjoyed success at lower levels. Kartye tallied 45 goals and 79 points in 61 OHL games in 2021-22; he notched 27 goals in 2022-23 with Seattle’s AHL-affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Kartye hits the books at a $1.25 million average annual value (AAV) and becomes a restricted free agent after the 2026-27 season, per Puck Pedia.
What’s next for Rangers after claiming Tye Kartye
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Brennan Othmann assigned to Hartford
To make room for Kartye on the 23-man NHL roster, the Rangers assigned 23-year-old forward Brennan Othmann to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.
It’s been an ongoing struggle for the former first-round pick (No. 16 overall 2021) in the NHL. The offensively-minded forward notched one goal in 17 games in 2025-26, after recording just two points in 22 games last season. Othmann has three points (one goal, two assists) in 42 career NHL games.
A plethora of miscues defensively made it difficult for Othmann to stick in a regular middle-six role at the NHL level, and he’s primarily been a fourth-liner since Mike Sullivan became Rangers coach this season.
“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,” Sullivan said ahead of a Feb. 5 game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Othmann was made a healthy scratch against Carolina — the final game before the NHL Olympic break. He returned to the lineup Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers and was a plus-one in 8:47 TOI.
Othmann could potentially return to New York’s NHL roster in the near future, especially if general manager Chris Drury ships off any veterans ahead of the March 6 trade deadline. But with Othmann set to become an RFA at the end of the season, and his inability to secure consistent playing time, it seems his Rangers tenure is headed for an unceremonious end.
Tye Kartye could be insurance option ahead of trade deadline
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On paper, the acquisition of Kartye isn’t much of a needle mover. Defensively-minded forwards are valuable, but New York has a desperate need for offensive playmakers — especially after trading star winger Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings.
Kartye likely won’t provide a significant boost offensively, but he could become a necessary depth piece after the trade deadline. Rumors swirl around Team USA Olympic center Vincent Trocheck, but Drury could also entertain trades for some of his veteran bottom-six forwards — namely Sam Carrick, Taylor Raddysh, Conor Sheary, and Jonny Brodzinski.
Carrick figures to be the most interesting option for Stanley Cup contenders. The 34-year-old is a cheap fourth-line center ($1 million AAV) under contract through 2026-27. Plus, he plays a gritty, physical game that is well-suited for playoff hockey.
Raddysh, Sheary, and Brodzinski won’t net the Rangers much value in a trade, but each is on an expiring contract. It’s possible that Drury could ship one or more of them for later-round draft picks.
The Rangers may need to fill some holes in their bottom six and penalty kill after the trade deadline, and Kartye proved serviceable in both respects with the Kraken.
Rangers should embrace taking flyers on young talent
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The Rangers shouldn’t bank on Kartye blossoming into a middle-six forward with more offensive upside. In fact, Kartye’s 180-game sample size in the NHL suggests that any offense he produces is purely a bonus.
That said, the Rangers have nothing to lose by giving Kartye some run in their bottom six. After their 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, the Blueshirts sit second-to-last in the League with 51 points (22-29-7). Any hopes of a playoff berth are a distant memory.
All the more reason that New York should throw darts at the dartboard and see what sticks. The Rangers should leap at any opportunity to acquire young talent, especially given the lackluster state of their farm system.
With the addition of Kartye, New York has 47 players signed to standard player contracts. The NHL allows no more than 50. Drury will save some space for the deadline, but the Rangers should capitalize on their roster flexibility — whether that’s by trade or waivers.
A quick glance at this current Rangers roster tells you all you need to know. They’ve got nothing to lose.
Lou Orlando is an alum of Fordham University, where he covered the New York Rangers for three seasons as … More about Lou Orlando
