![\"Tye](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-02-04T061901Z_1965415490_MT1USATODAY28151237_RTRMADP_3_NHL-SEATTLE-KRAKEN-AT-ANAHEIM-DUCKS.jpg\" "\\"Tye")
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Feb 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Seattle Kraken left wing Tye Kartye (12) moves the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Tye Kartye didn\u2019t have much time to think before he made his New York Rangers debut. He didn\u2019t even have time to practice.\n<\/p>\n
Though after the Rangers\u2019 3-2 come-from-behind shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon, which ended with his receiving the team\u2019s \u201cBroadway Hat,\u201d the 24-year-old forward admitted that \u201csometimes it\u2019s better\u201d to jump into a new lineup without any practice time.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust having no time to think about it,\u201d Kartye said. \u201cGoing out and playing and just having fun, I think, is almost better than overthinking it.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Perhaps it was for Kartye, who over the past 24 hours had experienced the highs and lows of being placed on waivers, moved across the country with what he could pack on a whim, and made his debut for a new team in an afternoon game.<\/p>\n
Having a familiar face \u2014 former Seattle Kraken defenseman and current Rangers blueliner Will Borgen, who Kartye described as \u201ca great guy, great friend\u201d \u2014 around to welcome Kartye with open arms made the move easier.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt stinks to be put on waivers,\u201d Kartye said, \u201cBut I got claimed, and I\u2019m really excited to be here, and I think it\u2019s a great opportunity for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kartye played 12:39 across 17 shifts in his Rangers debut on Saturday, the fourth-lowest of any Rangers player. He recorded a team-high six hits while registering two shots on goal, while being charged with one giveaway. He finished the afternoon with a minus-1 rating.<\/p>\n
Kartye described his game as \u201cphysical forechecking, being in good spots, and hopefully chipping in on offense.\u201d It\u2019s exactly what he expects to bring to the Rangers on a nightly basis. In 40 games with the Seattle Kraken this season, Kartye recorded 98 hits, which ranked third on the Kraken when the Rangers claimed him off waivers Friday. His 19 giveaways were the fewest among Kraken skaters who had appeared in 40 games or more this season.<\/p>\n
Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan said the young forward came \u201cas advertised.\u201d He praised Kartye\u2019s ability to help the Rangers\u2019 puck pursuit game, forecheck, and breakout, while also bringing some physicality to the lineup.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought he had a good game for us,\u201d Sullivan said. \u201cFor a guy that gets the news yesterday, travels all the way across the country, and then has to lace \u2018em up on a 12:30 game. That\u2019s not an easy thing to do, but I thought he played really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kartye did not feature on the Rangers\u2019 penalty kill on Saturday, though Sullivan said that he anticipated that Kartye would get involved in the unit moving forward. With Seattle this year, Kartye ranked fourth among Kraken forwards in shorthanded time-on-ice per game, averaging 1:08.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m at that level where I want to be in the lineup every night,\u201d Kartye said. \u201cI think I\u2019m at that level I was at a couple years ago, so I\u2019m just going to try and play my game, do what I can.\u201d<\/p>\n