2019-20 New York Rangers report card: Filip Chytil

Czech center Filip Chytil, just 21 years old, continues to grow as part of the New York Rangers future.

We continue our series of New York Rangers report cards. Today we look at Filip Chytil.

Filip Chytil: Grade C

Having been selected in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft (21st overall), Filip Chytil was a pre-rebuild pick. That he is still just 21 years old has enabled him to be one of the primary young players of the rebuild. Expectations for the young center continue to grow as the development of his game shows steady progress.

His Season

Filip Chytil followed up on a good rookie campaign with a season that saw him solidify his position at center and reach new milestones in his production. In 15 fewer games than the previous season Chytil scored as many points (23), set a new personal records for goals (14) and ice-time (14:35) and significantly reduced the negative impact of his plus/minus rating from a -22 to a -7.

Having started the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Chytil worked on his game away from the puck and gained the confidence necessary to be a more assertive player on the ice. Chytil led all bottom six players in even strength goals (13) and points (20). Unfortunately though, his special teams performance was lacking. Spending an average of 1:16 per game on the the power play, he scored only one goal and two assists with the man advantage and was not trusted to kill penalties.

The biggest detriment to Chytil’s game is his ability, or lack there of, in the face-off circle. 109 players league wide took at least 500 or more draws during the season. Chytil’s 38.4% face-off winning percentage was the worst among the group, more than three percentage points lower than the second worst center. His lack of success at times forced Coach Quinn to have Brett Howden take defensive zone draws while playing wing on Chytil’s line.

The Numbers

Games: 60
Goals: 14
Assists: 9
Points: 23
PIMs: 10
Blocked Shots: 31
Hits: 13
ATOI: 14:50
Faceoff winning pct.: 28.4%
Corsi-For: 47.6%

Why the Grade?

Chytil’s production and defensive game have improved, leading the way among the New York Rangers bottom six forwards. However, while Chytil’s game has improved he is a liability in the face-off circle and he was a non factor on special teams, specifically on the penalty kill.  Playing while short handed an important factor for bottom six forwards. With Chytil not playing on the penalty kill Coach Quinn is forced to over use Mika Zibanejad and Ryan Strome. Additionally, Chytil has been inconsistent with his assertiveness with the puck and played far more physically in his rookie season than in 2019-20.

Expectations

Moving into the 2020-21 season, Chytil needs to dramatically improve on faceoffs or be moved to wing.  His natural developmental growth raised his production to more than 30 point pace over an 82 game season as a 20 year old. At 21, with that same rate of growth, Chytil should approach the 40 point mark, again, paced over an 82 game season.

Chytil will also be the beneficiary of a skill increase on his left flank. One of Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider or Alexis Lafreniere will be his left wing for the upcoming season. That alone should add several points to his production.

2020-21 will not be a learning curve year for Chytil. Instead, this will be a stepping stone year for the 21 year old, headed toward the inevitable break out season.