When the Rangers host the Penguins this afternoon on ABC, they’ll have a new player on the roster. On Friday, they claimed former Kraken forward Tye Kartye on waivers.

A 24-year-old left wing who’s mostly been used in a checking role, Kartye was signed as a free agent by the Kraken in 2022. After a strong showing in the American Hockey League for the Coachella Valley Firebirds, in which he totaled 57 points, he put up six goals and two assists for eight points in the AHL playoffs.

That same season, Kartye made his debut with the Kraken in the postseason. During a run to the second round, he had three goals and two assists for five points in 10 games in 2022-23.

In his rookie season, he finished with 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points with 37 penalty minutes and 229 hits, which led the Kraken. He also had 24 takeaways and only nine giveaways.

In 63 games during 2024-25, his numbers slipped to six goals and seven helpers for 13 points with 43 penalty minutes and 175 hits. This season, Kartye got into 40 games for Seattle, posting three goals with five assists for eight points with 21 penalty minutes and 98 hits.

A consistent theme has been that Kartye mostly is used in the defensive zone. After having 54.1 percent of zone starts last season, he was up to 73.3 percent in his third year at 5-on-5. With a 47.3 corsi percentage despite mostly being featured in a defensive role, that’s not bad. He’s a gritty, hard-working player who keeps opponents honest.

Recently, Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan had used Brennan Othmann on the checking line. It wasn’t the right fit for the 2021 first round pick, who’s continued to get lost in the shuffle. A young player with skill shouldn’t be getting fourth line duty. When asked about Othmann from the media again on him going back down to Hartford, Sullivan gave the usual line about ‘inconsistency.’ When he got a look with Noah Laba on the third line, Othmann looked better. However, his production was limited.

In what’s supposedly a ‘retool’, both Othmann and Brett Berard have now been sent down to the Wolf Pack. Once again, Conor Sheary is getting top nine duty after a long stint on the long-term injured reserve. It feels like the Rangers operate in a different universe. If they truly cared about finding out what the younger players could do, they’d be more committed to them in the remaining 24 games. Instead, it’s the same old song and dance from a puzzling organization that doesn’t get it.

While Kartye is young enough to fill the role on the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Taylor Raddysh, it’s a wonder as to why another player couldn’t get a chance. Jaroslav Chmelar plays with the same edge and physicality. He’s also a good skater for his size, who’s willing to stick up for teammates. Instead, it’ll continue to fall on Carrick, who battled Garnet Hathaway in a tile after he boarded Othmann on Thursday night. Carrick is the frontrunner for the Steven McDonald Award due to how much he embodies what the award stands for.

There also won’t be an opportunity for Scott Morrow to get back in the lineup. So much for giving the former Hurricanes 2021 second round pick a chance to rediscover his game. Vincent Iorio will play his third consecutive game on the third pair with Matthew Robertson. A former 2019 second round pick that had to wait a long time to become a regular due to how poorly managed the Rangers are. At least Sullivan likes him enough to play him.

Until something changes before the trade deadline, it doesn’t look like Morrow will be getting consistent ice time. They only got him back in the K’Andre Miller deal last summer from Carolina, which included 2026 first and second round picks. Morrow has his faults. He isn’t the strongest defensive player. However, he’s a superb skater with offensive instincts who could be quarterbacking the second power play. Having Vladislav Gavrikov continue to do it isn’t how he’s supposed to be used.

If Morrow isn’t going to play, he may as well get into some games for Hartford. Hopefully, this doesn’t become another Zac Jones situation.

It’s very challenging to watch this team. They’re unexciting and don’t inspire much. At some point, that has to change. Don’t expect it to against the Pens, who are continuing to chase down a playoff spot without Sidney Crosby (lower-body injury). They handled the Devils 4-1 the other night.

Well, at least our fans can look forward to seeing what Kartye can do. That should count for something.