Ray Seebeck-Imagn ImagesFrom a waiver claim to a regular in the lineup, Tye Kartye could very well become a staple of the New York Rangers' bottom six heading into the 2026-27 season.
With the Rangers’ playoff hopes essentially shattered, Chris Drury decided to take a flyer on Kartye, claiming him off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Feb. 27.
Kartye ultimately made an immediate impact, filling in a third-line role for much of the 24 games he played for the Blueshirts.
The 25-year-old forward’s speed was impressive, and the Rangers got way more than they bargained for with his offensive production as he recorded five goals, nine assists, and 14 points in 24 games.
To go along with his offensive game, Kartye took on a penalty-killing role, proving to be a reliable two-way forward.
“Obviously, things are going really well for me here, so it's tough to go back and critique things, but I'm really happy how it turned out,” Kartye said in April. “I'm really happy to be here, and I'm really happy that I've been given some opportunity, and I'm glad that I've kind of taken advantage of it.”
With one year remaining on his contract, what will Kartye’s future look like?
If Kartye continues to thrive in the same role he played this past season, Drury should look to extend Kartye’s contract during the 2026-27 campaign or after the season’s end.
Kartye fits the age mold of the “retooling” Rangers, and his versatility as both an impactful offensive and defensive forward makes him a valuable forward to keep into the future.
