Filip Chytil and the New York Rangers got the best possible update on Tuesday regarding his upper-body injury. According to reports, Chytil consulted a specialist in New York and avoided a concussion, which was the initial concern.
The 25-year-old center is considered day-to-day and will rejoin the team during their four-game road trip. After playing the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night, the Rangers will travel to Calgary to face the Flames on Thursday. It’s still uncertain if Chytil will be in the lineup for that game, but his return to the team without concussion worries is a significant relief for both him and the organization.
“Our doctors do a really good job of protecting the players and ensuring they’re healthy before returning. When that time comes, Fil will be available,” head coach Peter Laviolette said.
Chytil sustained the injury last Thursday during a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks following a second-period collision with teammate K’Andre Miller. He briefly returned for one shift before being ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Filip Chytil was absent from practice on Saturday and did not travel with the Rangers to Seattle, where they opened their road trip with a 2-0 win against the Kraken on Sunday.
In Chytil’s absence, Jonny Brodzinski stepped in to center the third line alongside wingers Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko. The trio contributed offensively when Cuylle and Kakko assisted Zac Jones on his third-period goal that secured the 2-0 victory. However, the line struggled overall, finishing with an expected goals-for percentage (xGF) of just 34.20%, according to *Natural Stat Trick*.
Brodzinski will remain in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Canucks, while Jake Leschyshyn, recently called up from the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, serves as the extra forward on the roster.
Filip Chytil will rejoin Rangers on road trip
Filip Chytil’s recent injury was especially concerning given his history. Last season, he missed all but 10 regular-season games and six playoff games due to an upper-body injury, likely a concussion. Chytil has dealt with head injuries throughout his career, making the past few days a nerve-wracking time for both him and the Rangers.
Chytil is expected to rejoin the team in Calgary, likely to participate in practice and potentially play before the road trip concludes in Edmonton against the Oilers on Saturday. It seems unlikely the Rangers would fly him out west without plans to get him back on the ice.
However, head coach Peter Laviolette kept plans under wraps on Tuesday, stating, “He’s coming back to join us, and then we’ll make those decisions.”
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