Tye Kartye left quite the impression in the New York Rangers’ last game before a five-day break in the schedule on Monday. But that’s not anything new because the 25-year-old has done nothing but impress since landing on Broadway eight months ago.

Kartye was all over the ice Monday, setting up J.T. Miller’s goal in the first period and scoring a beauty of his own in the third against the Los Angeles Kings. Of course, it would’ve been better if his teammates played with the same energy he displayed in New York’s 6-3 loss, its third in a row.

Mika Zibanejad said about the Rangers’ latest defeat that “When we’re disconnected, this is what it looks like.”

Yes, the Rangers were disconnected, and it wasn’t pretty.

But that didn’t stop Kartye from competing and producing at an impressive level. The undrafted forward doesn’t get dragged down, instead he does his best to lift others up with his exemplary effort.

That’s been the case ever since the Rangers claimed him off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Feb. 27 of last season. Kartye made an immediate impact in New York’s bottom six and as a key member of the penalty-killing unit. Never a big-time goal scorer, Kartye had five goals and 14 points in 24 games after arriving in New York. He also had 75 hits in that span, and his 13.32 hits per 60 minutes was second among Rangers skaters who played at least 20 games last season.

Kartye began this season on the fourth line, but quickly moved up into the top six, thanks to a solid chemistry he formed with Miller late last season. The promotion continues to be warranted — Kartye is tied for fourth with Miller on the Rangers with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 14 games. Each of his points are at even strength, where only Adam Fox and Alexis Lafreniere have more (11 apiece).

The underlying metrics favor Kartye is all aspects of 5v5 play, though he’s been on ice for 10 Rangers goals and 10 by the opposition. His expected goal share 5v5 is 50.42 percent, per Natural Stat Trick, the best of his four NHL seasons.

This is all really good for the Rangers, having a heart-and-soul grinder expand his game and prove worthy of his career-high 15:29 average TOI. The only negative, as discussed on the latest Rink Rap podcast, is that on a true Stanley Cup contending roster, Kartye is probably a third-line forward, and continue to be a top penalty killer. His opportunity this season is borne, in part, by the fact that the Rangers are not deep in high-end offensive talent.

But that’s not his concern. It’s up to Chris Drury to figure out the roster — and, by the way, give the Rangers GM props for a savvy move snatching Kartye off the waiver wire.

The popular forward’s been an absolute steal for the Rangers.

New York Rangers news and analysis

Breaking down a rollercoaster of a first month to the 2026-27 season for the Rangers on the Rink Rap podcast — and spoiler alert, get used to the ups and downs. Check it out on the Forever Blueshirts YouTube page.

Speaking of rollercoasters, John Kreiser takes a dive into what coach Mike Sullivan likes about the first month of 18-year-old rookie Albert Smits’ NHL career with the Rangers.

In our latest report on Rangers prospects in the CHL and USHL, Jess Rubenstein focuses in on the continues strong production from forwards Darian Anderson and Spencer Bowes.

Across the pond, Steven Voogel updates the doings of Rangers prospects playing in Europe, highlighted by Rico Gredig’s first goal of the season in Switzerland.

ICYMI: Tom Castro’s latest coiumn analyzes the conundrum the Rangers face when it comes to figuring out what to do with young defenseman Scott Morrow, a healthy scratch for all 14 games so far.

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