With the 21st pick, the Rangers went back into the center position to select Filip Chytil out of the Czech Republic.
With the 21st selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Rangers selected 6-foot-2 center Filip Chytil out of the top Czech Republic league as an extremely young kid.
This kid was 10 days away from being in next years draft. He was a riser in the rankings. At this point, there is not much on Chytil, however, most compare him to someone like Ondrej Palat of the Tampa Bay Lightning, someone who finds open ice very well and has plus hockey IQ. Again, this was an off-the-board pick for the Rangers, but it’s awfully early to label these picks busts.
Chytil was able to put up 4 goals and 4 assists in the Top Men’s League in the Czech Republic as a 17-year-old. This will also help his projected arrival to the NHL as he has been playing with guys much older and mature than him.
Chytil projects to have a higher ceiling than that of Lias Andersson, as his ceiling is one of a big top six center, but worth noting, the floor for him would be much lower.
NYR pick Filip Chytil. One of the youngest players in class, and riser this year. He's a skilled, quick forward.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 24, 2017
The Rangers selected Filip Chytil from the Czech Elite League. He is a center. I know nothing about him right now.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 24, 2017
With the 21st pick in the #NHLDraft together we welcome Filip Chytil to #NYR! #NYRDraft pic.twitter.com/yf4458cT3X
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 24, 2017
I didn't have him that high, but I know NYR were not alone in how high they were on Chytil, several teams had t20 even if minority opinion. https://t.co/8O85HlFOjB
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) June 24, 2017