Filip Chytil back in New York ‘progressing’ without timeline for Rangers return

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Mar 12, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Rangers center Filip Chytil (72) takes the ice to warm up before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Filip Chytil is back in New York but there’s no timetable for when the center will return to practice with the Rangers.

Chytil returned to New York on Monday after spending three weeks working out during a “reset” back home in Czechia. Included in at least one of the on-ice sessions was former Rangers great Jaromir Jagr.

“He’s back and he’s progressing and our doctors will let us know when he’s cleared,” coach Peter Laviolette said after the Rangers morning skate in San Jose on Tuesday. “But no timeline. No timeline.”

Related: Blockbuster trade deadline deal with Senators could be what Rangers need

Filip Chytil has missed 36 games for Rangers with upper-body injury

The top-six pivot sustained an upper-body injury Nov. 2 in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes when he collided with former Blueshirts forward Jesper Fast. The 24-year-old has not played in a game since. He has six assists in 10 games.

Chytil signed a four-year, $17.75 million contract last offseason and big things were expected of him in 2023-24. He began the season centering Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere after recording an NHL career-high 22 goals and 45 points last season.

“He’s been a good player for us,” Laviolette said. “He’s been a guy we count on in a lot of different situations. So when the doctors do clear him and he has the opportunity (to practice and play), that will be a positive thing for our group.”

Vincent Trocheck moved up from the third line and has performed exceptionally well filling Chytil’s role on the second line. Trocheck was named to the 2024 NHL All-Star Game on Monday and is second on the Blueshirts with 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 46 games. He also is tied for the Rangers lead with nine power-play goals.

The Rangers close out a four-game road trip Tuesday when the visit the San Jose Sharks. After losing the first two games, the Rangers rallied for a 5-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.

By Jim Cerny

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of... More about Jim Cerny

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