Rangers breaking news: Chytil out 4-6 weeks

The New York Ranger tweeted out the news no fans wanted to hear.  Filip Chytil will be missing the next 4-6 weeks with an upper body injury.

Chytil was hurt in a collision with Evan Rodrigues of the Penguins on Sunday night.  The Pens didn’t escape unscathed as Rodrigues will be out  “longer term” according to Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan. Here’s the collision.

This hurts the Blueshirts as Chytil had gotten off to a solid start with two goals and one assist in five games, those two goals tied for the team lead.  His line with Kaapo Kakko and Phil Di Giuseppe had been the most consistent line for the team.  Now, David Quinn will have to find a new combination for the third line, the only line he hasn’t tinkered with over the last three games.

He had scored a highlight reel goal against the Pens on Friday night.  It was as good an example of stickhandling we have seen from any Ranger forward this season.

This has to be seen as an opportunity for Brett Howden, Colin Blackwell and Kevin Rooney, the three centers who have been swapping roles on the fourth line.   It remains to be seen how the coach will fill Chytil’s slot.  Also, with Chytil out, the question is whether they will add to the taxi squad.