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New York Rangers on The Hockey News
Now's The Time To Wonder About Filip Chytil And His Realistic Future As A Ranger
By Stan Fischler,
1 day ago
The Blueshirts have a dilemma that's not easily solved but eventually will have a major impact on the 2024-25 season; one way or another.
It's actually a two-fold conundrum:
1. Will Filip Chytil be physically and mentally ready to be the Rangers third center – after Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck?
2. Even if the answer to the above is an emphatic YES, does that mean that he should play, as he did in one postseason game last spring.
To those addicts who follow the franchise 24/7 and spend 23 hours per day thinking about their favorite team, a Chytil discussion is no time for comedy.
At 24-years-old and in the very prime of his career, the Czech ace could be done, since he is – in a purely medical-psychological sense – a head case.
The concussion Chytil suffered last November 2 in a game against the Hurricanes was the fourth head injury of his young career.
Given a good, long rest, he returned to practice in January and – after a scrimmage on January 26 – two days later was ruled out for the season.
Considering that the Czech ace was a first round pick (21st overall) in 2017 and took off as a scorer (22-23-45) in 74 games just two seasons ago, there was a time when you could have figured that the sky was his limit in terms of stardom.
Don't Sleep On Filip Chytil (1:59)
Now we don't know.
Presumably, Filip will be invited to camp in September and will undergo all necessary tests. That's an imperative.
If he passes – as he did in his one return game, May 9 vs. Carolina – then there will be a step by step monitoring to determine if, in fact, he's ready for the hockey wars.
Should he fail the tests, that should signal the end of what had been an enthusiastic career. My personal belief is that Chytil deserves one more opportunity under the most intense monitoring.
If all signs are good – and the medics flash a green light – one more NHL season would be worth a try.
After all, hasn't Sidney Crosby enjoyed a marvelous career after enduring a few concussions? He sure did!
I'm certain that many fans will agree with The Maven, but I KNOW there are some insightful dissenters.
My historian buddy George Grimm is as emphatic as any follower of the New Yorkers. I didn't even have to ask the question, he had the answer while I slept last night.
"Chytil SHOULD NOT attempt to play this coming season," says Grimm who roots as hard as anyone for The Garden's doughty NHL team.
"Filip needs to have an intervention with Pat LaFontaine, Mike Richter and many of the other players who've had their careers shortened by concussions."
Mind you, Grimm's is not a solitary opinion. Excellent hockey photographer David Perlmutter comes on strong with Gorgeous George.
"Grimm's position is the sagest comment ever posted here on The Maven's post," snaps Perlmutter, when he's not snapping a picture. "I've been saying the same thing since Chytil got his last concussion."
I'm sure that Chytil is as anxious to help his hockey club as he was on May 9th when his comeback against Carolina was closely watched.
Grimm says it should be his last – regular season or otherwise.
"I say to Chytil, 'Quit while you still have that option. Go into coaching or scouring, but don't risk your health any more than you already have!"
The next – perhaps final – decision will come from the Rangers medics!
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