The New York Rangers re-signed Filip Chytil, their restricted free-agent forward, to a two-year contract worth $4.6 million, or $2.3 million per season. This contract carries him through the 2022-23 season.
The Chyt’s back on. 🔥#NYR and RFA Filip Chytil have agreed to terms on a two-year contract. pic.twitter.com/uZtBxOsynD
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 29, 2021
New York Rangers Signed Filip Chytil
Over his four-year NHL career, Chytil has played only for the Rangers. Originally drafted in the first round, 21st overall of the 2017 NHL draft by New York, the 21-year old will be sticking with the franchise. His career totals sit at 34 goals and 37 assists for 71 total points, in 186 games.
The young forward played in 42 games last season, scoring eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points. Chytil averaged 13:14 in time-on-ice per game, about a minute and a half less than the season prior. His Corsi-for percentage sat at 49.9 percent, and a relative Corsi-for of 1.8 percent. He starts most of his shifts in the offensive zone as well.
What This Means for the Future
The Rangers remain a team on the rise, with plenty of exciting young talent expected to take that next step sooner than later. Chytil, at just 21, is part of that young core with room to grow. Getting Filip Chytil signed to a two-year extension gives the team another skilled, young player to build around. Kaapo Kaako, Vitali Kravtsov, Alexis Lafreniere, K’Andre Miller, and Zachary Jones are all 21 or younger and are slotted as roster skaters for next season. Adam Fox just won the Norris Trophy and is just 23 years old, the same age as fellow defenceman Ryan Lindgren.
The Rangers possess all the above young, developing talent on their roster. That’s without even touching on the fact that they still have Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Ryan Strome, and Jacob Trouba. They added Barclay Goodrow from the Cup-winning Tampa Bay Lightning via trade, too. Similarly, Patrik Nemeth signed on the opening day of free agency to bolster the depth on defence. Those experienced additions help the bottom half of the roster and provide experience to a young roster. Goaltending looks set between Alexandar Georgiev, Keith Kinkaid, and Igor Shesterkin (who still needs a contract as an RFA). Don’t be surprised if this team takes a huge step forward in 2021-22. Expect the Rangers to become annual contenders in very short order.
Main Photo:
UNIONDALE, NY – APRIL 09: New York Rangers centre Filip Chytil (72) skates with the puck with New York Islanders Center Casey Cizikas (53) in pursuit and New York Islanders Goalie Semyon Varlamov (40) defending the goal during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders on April 9, 2021, at the Nassau Veterans Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
