A New York Rangers center has been sidelined for at least a week. Filip Chytil suffered an injury and will miss at least the next four games. A concussion is suspected, which bears bad news for Rangers fans.
Chytil will be sidelined for at least a week and next four games per NYR. Concussion suspected.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) October 24, 2022
Filip Chytil Injury Sidelines Him For At Least A Week
Chytil has started the season on par with his past few. With three points in six games, an average time on ice of 12:25, and a faceoff win percentage of 51%, Chytil has been a great bottom-six forward. His advanced stats are a little strange, however. A Corsi For percentage of 53.2%, and a relative Corsi of -3.2, he’s been all over the place. Last season, he had 22 points in 67 games, averaging about 13 minutes of ice time per game.
What This Means For the Rangers
While Chytil isn’t exactly the most dominant player on the ice, losing a bottom-six center does hurt. As of now, Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trochek, and Ryan Carpenter are the only other listed centers on the team. That isn’t exactly the deepest lineup. To make matters worse, a winger will have to move out of his comfort zone to fill that hole Chytil leaves open. Or, the Rangers will have to take a chance with a call-up to slot in his place. Head coach Gerand Gallant could also decide to move Carpenter up to the third line, but considering he’s played less than 10 minutes (on average) per game this season, that doesn’t seem likely.
In a highly competitive Metropolitan Divison, the Rangers will need every win they can get. With expectations high, they will need to get off to a strong start. Losing anyone for any time longer than a game or two is going to hurt them. Even with a third line center, it is apparent how this team needs everyone playing their best to succeed.
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