New York Rangers prospect Filip Chytil has gotten off to a slow start this season, now David Quinn is making an adjustment for him.
Filip Chytil is going to see more playing time with the New York Rangers, however, it will be on the wing.
#NYR mixing it up again in practice, looks like Pavel Buchnevich will be a healthy scratch. Lines looked like:
Chytil-Hayes-Zuccarello
Kreider-Zibanejad-Fast
Vesey-Howden-Namestnikov
McLeod-Spooner-Lettieri(per @BrettCyrgalis)
— Dom Renna (@drennaESNY) October 15, 2018
Following the Blueshirts’ 2-1 loss to the Oilers Saturday, head coach David Quinn alluded to the idea of giving Chytil more ice time. The only problem is that Brett Howden has locked down the third line center position.
Quinn decided it was time to give Chytil a look on the wing, and Chytil will get that chance playing alongside Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello Tuesday against the Avalanche.
The idea coming into the season was for Chytil, Howden, and Lias Andersson to start the year at center. But, towards the end of the preseason, Quinn said he would be open to the idea of one of them playing the wing. He is staying true to his word.
What Quinn is hoping for by moving Chytil to the wing is for his skill to become more of a factor. Giving him time with the Blueshirts’ top players will allow him to do just that, and maybe get him to crack the scoreboard.
Replacing Chytil as the fourth line center is Ryan Spooner. Since coming to the Rangers at last year’s trade deadline, Spooner has primarily played on the wing for the Blueshirts. But, he has the experience of paying center from his time with the Boston Bruins.
The other big move Quinn is making prior to the game is scratching Pavel Buchnevich for the first time this season. This won’t be the first time Buchnevich has been a healthy scratch as many fans are aware of. He found himself in former head coach Alain Vigneault’s doghouse quite a bit the last two seasons.
Quinn has shown he is not afraid to scratch his best players, and he is doing it again with Buchnevich. This time though, Buchnevich should have an understanding of why he will be in street clothes and not in a Ranger sweater come Tuesday night.
Game time is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST.
