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What’s next for Rangers after Tye Kartye claimed off waivers from Kraken
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- What’s next for Rangers after Tye Kartye claimed off waivers from Kraken
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The New York Rangers claimed bottom-six forward Tye Kartye from the Seattle Kraken on Friday afternoon.
Seattle placed the 24-year-old on waivers Thursday afternoon after he was a healthy scratch Wednesday against the Dallas Stars , when the Kraken returned from the Olympic pause.
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It marks New York 's second waiver acquisition, after claiming 23-year-old defender Vincent Iorio from the San Jose Sharks on Jan. 31.
Kartye went undrafted and signed a three-year entry-level contract with Seattle in March 2022. He tallied 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) in 180 games played 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 shorthanded 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.
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Kartye hits the books at a $1.25 million average annual value (AAV); he 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, New York assigned 23-year-old forward Brennan Othmann to the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL.
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.
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A plethora of miscues defensively made it difficult for Othmann to stick in a regular middle-six role at the NHL level.
"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," said coach Mike Sullivan ahead of a Feb. 5 game against the Carolina Hurricanes .
Othmann was made a healthy scratch against Carolina — the final game before the NHL's Olympic pause. He returned to the lineup Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers ; he was a plus-one in 8:47.
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.
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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 NHL trade deadline. Rumors swirl around Team USA Olympic center Vincent Trocheck , but Rangers general manager Chris Drury could also entertain trades for some of his veteran bottom-six forwards — namely Sam Carrick , Taylor Raddysh , Conor Sheary , and Jonny Brodzinski .
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Carrick figures to be the most interesting addition for a potential contender. 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 all are on expiring contracts. It's possible that Drury could ship them for a late-round draft pick.
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.
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That said, the Rangers have nothing to lose by giving Kartye some run in their bottom six. After Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the 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.
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