Former Rangers center knocked out of Canucks game after Tom Wilson hit
In what’s become a far too familiar scene during his NHL career, former New York Rangers center Filip Chytil was helped off the ice Sunday after receiving a heavy hit. The Vancouver Canucks ruled Chytil out for the rest of their game against the Washington Capitals, amid fears that the oft-injured forward could’ve sustained another concussion.
The 26-year-old was shaken up after an open-ice hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson with under a minute remaining in the first period at Capital One Arena. Chytil made a pass to his right near the red line, when Wilson came from his blind side and leveled him with a shoulder to the chest.
There was no penalty called on the play. Wilson didn’t make contact with Chytil’s head, but the hit might’ve been a touch late. If anything, there could’ve been a minor penalty assessed for interference.
Chytil had a long history of head injuries over seven seasons with the Rangers. He played only 10 games in 2023-24, after he sustained a concussion against the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 2, 2023, and then had further issues in January.
He did return to play in six postseason games for the Rangers in the spring of 2024. But last season, Chytil sustained another head injury after he was moved to the Canucks as part of J.T. Miller trade on Jan. 31.
That injury took place in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks in mid-March, and Chytil didn’t play again the rest of the season.
He got married this past summer and had a normal offseason of training Chytil remained upbeat and optimistic that his injury woes were in the past ahead of training camp in September.
“Knock on wood, I feel very good and feel very positive,” Chytil told the 100% Canucks Podcast.
“Two weeks after I came [back to the Czech Republic] I started to work out and skate. Now, it’s almost four months already where I’m working out and skating.”
More injury concerns for former Rangers center Filip Chytil
Chytil entered played Sunday tied with Brock Boeser and Kiefer Sherwood for the Canucks lead with three goals in give games. After the trade last season, Chytil recorded six points (two goals, four assists) in 15 games with the Canucks.
A first-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2017 (No. 21 overall), Chytil is two games shy of 400 in the NHL, and has 173 points (80 goals, 93 assists).
His best season was in 2022-23 when Chytil scored 22 goals and totaled 45 points in 74 games with the Rangers.
The Canucks already were without Boeser on Sunday. The 28-year-old forward didn’t play due to personal reasons.
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