After only three regular season games, the Filip Chytil experiment with the New York Rangers has come to an end—for now.
Justin Tasch of the New York Daily News was the first to report that the Rangers have decided to send forward Filip Chytil to the Hartford WolfPack of the American Hockey League.
Chytil, 18, was selected 21st overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and made the team after an impressive showing in training camp and the preseason. But he played sparingly for head coach Alain Vigneault once the games began to count, getting just 12:39 of ice time over the first two games of the season before becoming a healthy scratch this past Sunday against the Montreal Canadiens.
While a demotion to Hartford may seem like a bad thing, it’s probably the best possible outcome for the talented teen. Not only will he get to log regular playing time on a top line, but he’ll get the experience he needs in the North American game—and the chance to adapt to a new culture and become more comfortable with the English language—away from the bright lights and pressure that comes with playing in the NHL.
As for his three-year entry-level contract, it remains intact. He can play out the year in the AHL and have his year slide on his ELC. Really, this is a win-win situation for everyone involved. Should he dominate the AHL or the Rangers need him, he’s just three hours away.