Chytil and Andersson…what a difference a year makes

In a reversal of what happened one year ago, Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil have swapped the roles they will play to start this season for the New York Rangers.

Let’s jump into the time capsule and go back one year.  It’s September 28, 2018 and the New York Rangers have finalized their opening night roster.  Ranger fans are somewhat surprised to learn that 2017 first rounder Lias Andersson has been sent to Hartford.  The consolation is that  Filip Chytil, their second first round pick the same year, has made the team and will be a starter.

When Lias Andersson was sent to Hartford last year after training camp, it unleashed a torrent of commentary about his future and the incompetence of Rangers talent evaluators.  Observers call the highest first round pick for the Rangers in 13 years a failure and a disappointment.  Detractors claimed that the Rangers made him their top pick for all the wrong reasons and his name would be added to a long list of disastrous Blueshirts draft picks.

Meanwhile, the feeling was that Rangers had stolen Filip Chytil at #21, taking a player who should have been a top ten pick.  His success made the bad choice of Andersson a little more palatable.

Both players ended up playing on Broadway last season.  Chytil played 75 games, scoring 11 goals and 23 points and had a stirring five game scoring streak in November. It was a successful campaign for the 19-year old and held promise for the future.

Meanwhile, Andersson was recalled from Hartford and got into 42 games, scoring two goals and adding four assists. It was a disappointing season for the 20-year old and raised more doubts about his future.

This year

Fast forward to September 30, 2019.  Filip Chytil was sent to Hartford after a disappointing training camp while Lias Andersson had an excellent preseason, winning the third line center job with the potential of moving up in the lineup.  He was a dedicated penalty killer and chipped in offensively.  Finally, Lias Andersson is living up to the promise that made him the seventh overall pick while Filip Chytil has regressed.  What a difference a year makes.

There were some warning signs about Chytil.  Outside of that five goal streak, Chytil scored six goals (one was an empty net goal) and 18 points in 70 games.  That’s hardly the production you want from a second or third line forward. He appeared to get outmuscled often and couldn’t finish.

Chytil came to training camp after a summer spent bulking up and training.  Coach David Quinn was so impressed with Chytil’s progress he announced that the young Czech would get to be the starting second line center, between Chris Kreider and Kaapo Kakko.

Once the preseason games began, it was obvious that Chytil was overmatched.  Although the trio didn’t see much action together, when Chytil played he was tentative and nervous.  It was clear he didn’t want to make a mistake and that affected his play.  In short order he was replaced at center by Brett Howden and Andersson and finally, found himself back on the wing. He finished scoreless in four games.

Last season Andersson had his issues scoring, but was mostly restricted to fourth line minutes. There was no doubting his effort, but the results weren’t there.  This preseason he continued to display the effort, but began showing results.

Andersson played a chippy, physical game.  He was probably the best defensive forward after Mika Zibanejad and was tenacious on the forecheck.  He finished with two goals and an assist for three points in five games.  Witness his effort on this goal .  Andersson did all the work on the forecheck and got to the rebound to finish.

What can we see happening this season?