The New York Rangers have signed forward Filip Chytil to a four-year extension with an AAV of $4.4375m.
Chytil is in the midst of a career year. The 23-year-old has 22 goals and 42 points in 66 games, far surpassing his previous best of 23 that he set during his first two seasons.
He followed that up by a pair of 22-point campaigns, so he’s been consistent. Still, this year’s breakout is more like what the Rangers were hoping for after taking him 21st overall in 2017.
At 5-on-5, Chytil’s 17 goals sits one behind Artemi Panarin for the team lead. He’s also fourth in points with 32 and is second behind Panarin (2.55) with 2.34 points-per-game among full-season Rangers.
Born in Czechia, Chytil has represented his country at all major international levels outside of the Olympics. He won gold at the 2016 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup and has four goals and eight points in 20 games over three World Championships.
Currently in the final year of a $2.3M AAV deal, Chytil is a big 6-foot-3 forward that uses his speed and strength to his advantage. In open space, the center can absolutely fly, and he’s strong enough to win puck battles consistently along the boards.
Chytil has been the centerpiece of New York’s kid line, one many expect to play a key role in the team’s playoff run. The Rangers have a stout top six, which features Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Vladimir Tarasenko, Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck and Patrick Kane.
But with Chytil playing alongside Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko — two other young forwards that have struggled to break out — the Rangers have three truly dangerous scoring lines.
Chytil had seven goals and nine points in 20 playoff games last year. This time, expect coach Gerard Gallant to get the most out of his surging third line.
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