Rangers' Filip Chytil says he's ready to take hits after a lost season
New York Rangers center Filip Chytil skates during training camp at the team's training facility in Greenburgh, N.Y., on Saturday. Credit: Neil Miller
GREENBURGH — To those who are going to hold their breath whenever Rangers center Filip Chytil takes a hit this season, he has this message: Don’t worry about it, because he’s not.
“If I would be scared, I could play somewhere in Fourth Division [of the pro league] in Czechia now and enjoy my life,’’ Chytil said after the Rangers’ double-session practice Saturday on Day 3 of training camp. “But I’m back [in the NHL]. I’m 100% ready to work on myself, be 100% myself, and I’m not scared of any contact.’’
Chytil missed the final 72 games of last season with what never has been officially identified by the Rangers as a concussion but almost certainly was. But he came back to play six games in the playoffs and was cleared to be a “full go’’ for camp, according to general manager Chris Drury.
Coach Peter Laviolette said he’s not apprehensive about the Czech center taking a hit in practice or a preseason game.
“Based on him being cleared to go out and play, I’m confident that he can take a hit,’’ Laviolette said. “As of right now, he’s completely healthy. There’s no flags up where we’re being cautious on anything.’’
Chytil, who turned 25 on Sept. 5, is believed to have had several concussions in the past, and when an inadvertent bump by former teammate Jesper Fast in a game against Carolina on Nov. 3 landed him on the injured list, the concern level for him was high.
After a trip home to Czechia after Christmas, he appeared set to return to action in late January, but he suffered a setback and the Rangers announced that he would be shut down for the rest of the season.
He rejoined them for practice when the playoffs began and was able to play by the end of the second round. He took some hits in the games he played (“it was OK,’’ he said) and he said Saturday that it was important for him to get into those games.
“I spent two great months with the whole team [throughout the] playoffs,’’ he said. “And then when I played . . . I reminded myself of the speed of the most important games in the season.’’
Five days after the Rangers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals, Chytil said he was back on the ice with his skills coach in Czechia. The level at which he needed to be was fresh in his mind, and that helped drive him in his summer workouts, he said. Now he says he feels good and is eagerly looking forward to playing in some preseason games.
“I didn’t play since Nov. 3,’’ he said. “I played only five or six games in the playoffs, and there was like, on 10% of my ability, what I can do.
“So I [want to] jump into it, work hard, and now, when it is the preseason. I will remind myself what I was missing, and just go step by step every game . . . until the first game of the season.’’
Kakko’s time?
Chytil’s longtime linemate, Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, is starting his sixth training camp with the Rangers. He was asked if he thinks this might be the year he finally breaks out after five seasons marked by injury, illness and inconsistent production.
“I feel that’s the question every year when I come back here,’’ said Kakko, who signed a one-year contract over the summer and has skated with Chytil and Will Cuylle on an updated version of the old Kid Line in training camp.
“I felt two years ago I had kind of my best season, and then I was ready to [break out] last year. So maybe this time it’s better to not think about it, just try to be my best,’’ he said. “Hopefully it comes.’’
Maybe being on a line with Chytil again will benefit Kakko.
“There’ll be different combinations through training camp, but I do think that there’s a bit of chemistry between those two,’’ Laviolette said.
“I don’t even know how to explain it, but there’s some connection there,’’ Chytil said. “We don’t have to even talk about it, but it’s there, and it’s been clicking since the first year we played together.’’
Rempe’s winning sprints
Last year’s sensation, Matt Rempe, has been noticeable in winning most of the end-of-practice wind sprints in camp.
“He came in excellent shape,’’ Laviolette said. “He trained hard this summer off the ice; he trained hard on the ice. He tried to work on all aspects of his game to come back in and give himself the best chance.’’
Blue notes
The Rangers will play their first preseason game Sunday against the Bruins in Boston. Laviolette said he expects roughly half of the regular roster to play. Faceoff is set for 5 p.m. and the game will be televised on MSG-TV.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
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