What to do?
Against Vegas, the Rangers moved Barclay Goodrow to the third line and Chytil started on his left wing with Gauthier He soon found him self on the second line with Strome and Lafrenière.
According to Gerard Gallant, all he was looking for was for Chytil to “just play good hockey.” There’s no word on whether Gallant thought he did.
When Panarin returns, Goodrow should get some time with Lafrenière and Gauthier so that trio can have a chance to meld. That means they need to give Chytil an opportunity on the right wing with Strome and Panarin. If they don’t, he has to sit or move to the fourth line in favor of Dryden Hunt.
Chytil has played a little over a minute with Strome and Panarin this season. With games coming up against Montreal and Detroit, they have the luxury of moving him up with those two in order to see if he will respond. If he doesn’t, they have Chytil decision to make.
It’s awful when a young player who works so hard and cares so much doesn’t live up to his potential. Chytil has handled lineup moves and demotions to the minor leagues professionally and as a result, he has been given many opportunities.
He has been one of the better stories to come out of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, the 21st overall pick who quickly surpassed most of his peers from that draft. This season his progress has stalled and that is a big issue for a contending team that doesn’t have depth at forward.
The Rangers have a tough decision to make. Keep giving Chytil playing time and hope a lightbulb goes off or package him with a defense prospect and trade for a forward with better offensive upside or a center who can win faceoffs.