The New York Rangers have hit a bit of a rough patch recently, and much has been due to injured forwards and inconsistent play. So, with the season on the line, is it time for the team to call up prospects Filip Chytil and Lias Andersson?
The Rangers had a January to forget. After the team welcomed 2018 with an overtime win in the Winter Classic, they proceeded to go 4-8.
The team’s woes can be attributed to missed time by Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes and Michael Grabner. Those who were healthy enough to play also didn’t play well.
However, the Rangers dreadful January hasn’t completely sunk their playoff hopes, which has made the trade deadline a difficult decision.
There have been rumors that the Rangers may be ready for a fire sale. So, if the team is ready to move on from current roster players, or maybe they want a jolt of energy into a stagnant lineup, the question being raised is if the team should call up Chytil and Andersson from Hartford.
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How have both been playing?
Both Chytil and Andersson have played well while away from the Rangers, and now the two first round picks are playing with each other for the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Andersson showed he was North America ready by playing well for Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League. In 22 games he had a total of 14 points.
The seventh-overall pick had been sidelined for a few weeks with a shoulder injury, but he has since been playing in Hartford. He has played solid in his short time with the Wolf Pack, with two points in three games.
Chytil has also played very well. He has 24 games played for the Wolf Pack and has 20 points in that time.
According to the latest Rangers prospect report, Chytil has been lighting it up. Last week he had four points in three games, with three multi-point games in his last five games.
Is there space for them on the NHL roster?
Your next question is probably this. So, let’s take a look at it.
The Rangers seem to have expendable pieces, specifically at center, that would allow for the two teenagers to be skating in the NHL.
However, space would seemingly be made on the bottom two lines. Meaning the team would need to move on from David Desharnais and Peter Holland.
Yes, the idea of Chytil and Andersson playing bottom six minutes may be a bad one, but it would allow them time to adapt. While the Rangers would lose some weight without Holland, and some good face-off numbers without Desharnais, the moves seem worth it.
Desharnais has played decently in his time with the Rangers. The 31-year old center has 22 points in 47 games played. Those numbers aren’t bad for a bottom six guy, but he also hasn’t done anything spectacular that has warranted him to stay.
Holland may actually have a better case than Desharnais, but only due to his age and size. He is 27-years old, 6 feet 2 inches tall and 205 pounds. But, again, he is nothing more than a bottom six center. In six games with the Rangers, he has two points.
Eliminating both Desharnais and Holland shouldn’t be a tough decision. But, you never know with head coach Alain Vigneault.
So, should they be called up?
Yes, for sure. There is no sense and keeping two players like Desharnais and Holland, especially in the position that the Rangers find themselves in.
There seem to be two possibilities that come out of potentially calling up Chtyil and Andersson:
- Chytil and Andersson’s undeniable play-making provides the Rangers with a jolt, which leads the team on a run to the playoffs.
- The team misses the playoffs, but the two young forwards get valuable ice-time to build off of.
Again, the idea of Chytil and Andersson playing bottom six minutes may not be an attractive idea. But, that is a fine start to a career.
If Desharnais and Holland are the excuses as to why the two aren’t up, then the team needs to re-evaluate their coaching.
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There is no reason to have Chytil and Andersson idle too much longer in Hartford. The time to bring them up is now, even if it costs a playoff spot. The only argument against calling the pair up is losing a year on their entry level contracts.