Following reports that Filip Chytil had his locker loaded with training gear after a season-ending injury, he participated fully in practice on Friday morning.
“It’s great to have him back out there,” said coach Peter Laviolette. “There is no timeframe for (Chytil). We won’t rush him back. When he feels, and the powers that be believe, that he is in a good place, that is a different matter. Right now, there is absolutely no schedule.
While Chytil’s return to the club was fantastic news, it’s even better to see him back on the ice after being ruled out for the season on January 28 due to a suspected brain injury sustained on November 2.
Filip Chytil practicing with Rangers
The Rangers will continue with cautiously, keeping his health as their top priority. However, this update suggests that Chytil could return during the playoffs. This would provide a significant boost and more depth to New York’s forward group.
“He’s coming back from something significant,” Laviolette explained. “You’re talking about one of our top-rated players with the possibility of coming back at some point.”
Chytil reportedly rotated in on the third line during practice, but this should not be overly examined. It will be some time before Chytil returns, and he may not return until next season. Fans should not expect to see him in action for the next two games.
Chytil did not score a goal in 10 games this season, but he did record six assists.
#NYR Filip Chytil in the flesh… pic.twitter.com/APxG6qOjiW
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) April 12, 2024
Laviolette makes lineup adjustments
Following a 4-1 loss at home to the Philadelphia Flyers, Laviolette is set to make lineup adjustments.
Matt Rempe appears to be returning to the fourth line, with Jonny Brodzinski serving as a healthy scratch. Laviolette may be preparing to face the New York Islanders with Rempe in the lineup after some dubious hits nearly hurt Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck during the teams’ most recent meeting on Tuesday night.
There has also been considerable movement of defense pairs. K’Andre Miller and Braden Schneider have rejoined, and Erik Gustafsson and Jacob Trouba form the third partnership.
“We’re still looking at lineup decisions,” Laviolette explained. “We’ve won a lot of games with the pairs the way that they are as well.”
Here are the lines from Friday’s practice:
Kreider – Zibanejad – Roslovic
Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere
Cuylle – Wennberg – Kakko
Vesey – Goodrow – Rempe
Lindgren – Fox
Miller – Schneider
Gustafsson – Trouba
Shesterkin
Quick
After losing consecutive games for the first time since early March, the Rangers must find a way to get their game back on track. There are still crucial points to be earned in the final two regular-season games. Points that will determine the top seed in the Metropolitan Division as well as the Presidents’ Trophy.
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