Drew Fortescue’s route back to the Rangers’ lineup is becoming less straightforward.
The 21-year-old left-shot defenseman is competing for a roster spot in an organization that now has an abundance of players on his side of the blue line. After appearing in nine NHL games late last season — enough to burn the first year of his entry-level contract — the former Boston College standout faces an uphill battle to remain with New York once training camp ends.
Still, Fortescue has not allowed the Rangers’ offseason moves to distract him. New York acquired veteran defenseman Marcus Pettersson and used a first-round pick on Alberts Smits, further crowding the competition, but Fortescue remains confident that another NHL opportunity will come.
“That’s nothing that’s in my control,” Fortescue said after Saturday’s training-camp sessions when asked about the additions. “All I can do is just work the hardest that I can and whoever’s here or whatnot, I think that I know that I’m good enough — and someday, if it’s not now or in the future, that I’ll be able to play here.”
Fortescue opened camp with Group B, but his objective has remained clear: prove he belongs on the Rangers. During his nine-game NHL audition at the end of the 2025-26 season, he recorded two assists and emerged as one of the organization’s young players gaining valuable experience during a difficult year for the Blueshirts.
“You want to play at the highest level,” said Fortescue, who has been splitting his time between the team hotel and his home in Pearl River. “It’s your dream as a kid, and kinda getting that little glimpse last year, that month I was there, it was pretty special.”
Fortescue believes he improved across the board during the offseason, yet the Rangers’ additions have made Hartford of the AHL the most likely place for him to begin the season. An injury could quickly create an opening in New York, but without one, the young defenseman may need to earn his next call-up over time.
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Tye Kartye continued making his case Saturday, scoring twice in the intrasquad scrimmage. The fourth-line forward, claimed by the Rangers off waivers last season, now has three goals through the first three scrimmages.
Kartye suited up for Team Blue, which secured a 4-1 victory over Team White.
“He loves hockey,” head coach Mike Sullivan said, describing Kartye as an “easy guy to root for.” Sullivan praised his energy, enthusiasm and willingness to learn, saying those qualities spread throughout the locker room. “You can’t have enough of those guys that love hockey, that love to be here, that want to play, that want to get better — and Tye’s all of those things.”
The Rangers’ line combinations were largely unchanged, although Matt Rempe opened with the fourth line. Matthew Robertson exited the Group A practice early after taking a puck or shot to the face and returned appearing to have lost several teeth. Cole Beaudoin, listed as day to day entering camp, wore a blue jersey and fully participated in the scrimmage.