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Tye Kartye making quick Rangers ascension after being dumped by Kraken

Tye Kartye has quickly become a standout for the New York Rangers since being claimed off waivers by Seattle in February, turning what could have been a setback into a major opportunity. The undrafted forward, who had already earned AHL Rookie of the Year honors, arrived in New York with a proven ability to win battles on the puck—a skill that has helped him integrate seamlessly into the Rangers' second line alongside Pavel Dorofeyev and J.T.

Miller. Head coach Mike Sullivan has praised his tenacity, describing him as a relentless competitor who thrives in tight spaces, a trait honed during his junior career with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds, where his goal-scoring output surged from four to 45 over three seasons.

Kartye’s offensive instincts have been on full display this season, including a key goal in a preseason scrimmage against the Islanders and a dominant performance in Detroit that led to his promotion from the fourth to the second line. The duo of Kartye and Dorofeyev now ranks among the Rangers’ most effective forward combinations, boasting a league-leading expected-goals percentage of 69.79 and placing 10th in the NHL for forward lines with at least 20 minutes together.

Despite his rapid rise, Kartye remains focused on his core identity, refusing to alter his game despite the new challenges and expectations placed on him by the Rangers organization.

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