Former Rangers center not likely to get what he wants before season ends
It’s probably a very safe bet that former New York Rangers center Filip Chytil wants to play at least one more game with the Vancouver Canucks before this season ends. However, that’s unlikely to happen.
Chytil remains on LTIR after sustaining a facial fracture during Canucks practice Feb. 18. He returned to the ice recently wearing a no-contact jersey and a full face shield, primarily working with skills coach Jason Krog.
So, with five games remaining on their schedule, Canucks coach Adam Foote was asked if it’s Chytil’s “wish to get a game in” before the season ends.
“Maybe,” Foote responded, before adding, “but I know that the medical staff would like him just to get up to form and get into a couple practices, and to go home in the summer knowing that he’s been cleared is probably the idea.”
This is the second straight season when the Canucks plan to exercise caution and continue to hold the 26-year-old forward out of games before the offseason arrives. A year ago, Chytil tried to work his way back after sustaining a head injury against the Chicago Blackhawks on March 15, 2025. Though he practiced with the Canucks and felt good enough to play near season’s end, they opted not to take any chances.
Chytil stated during the offseason that simply participating in practices with the team gave him confidence that the injury was behind him and he could have a full summer to train without worry.
Unfortunately, Chytil played just 12 games and totaled three goals this season due to a series of injuries and health setbacks. First, Chytil sustained an upper-body injury on a bruising open-ice hit by Washington Capitals forward Tom Wilson on Oct. 19. He missed three months, and returned Jan. 23 against the New Jersey Devils. Shortly thereafter, migraines forced him out of the Canucks lineup again.
Then, after recovering from the severe headaches caused by the migraines, Chytil was hurt in practice on a freak accident when a puck deflected up and hit him in the face. He hasn’t played since, and, it appears, likely won’t see game action until next season.
A first-round pick (No. 21 overall) by the Rangers in the 2017 NHL Draft, Chytil’s career was derailed time and again by injury, mostly head injuries and concussions. A head injury limited Chytil to 10 regular-season games with the Rangers in 2023-24, though he did play sparingly in the Stanley Cup Playoffs that spring.
The Rangers traded Chytil to the Canucks on Jan. 31, 2025, as part of the deal that brought J.T. Miller back to New York. His best season was 2022-23, when he recorded 22 goals, 23 assists, and 45 points with the Rangers.
Chytil’s health woes are just part of the issues that submarined the Canucks (22-47-8) this season. They are last in the overall NHL standings, and have a 25 percent chance of winning the NHL Draft Lottery and selecting first overall this year, per Tankathon.
