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What Does The Future Hold For Filip Chytil?

By Lucas Standel

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 1:50 of the second period against the San Jose Sharks and is joined by Jacob Trouba #8 (L) and Artemi Panarin #10 (C) at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 1:50 of the second period against the San Jose Sharks and is joined by Jacob Trouba #8 (L) and Artemi Panarin #10 (C) at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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With the recent news about the NHL’s Salary Cap only raising around $1 million for next season, this is bad news for a team like the New York Rangers. With much of their cap locked up for many years, the players who need new contracts after this season will feel the impact. One player is Filip Chytil, who is one the final year of his deal and will be an RFA after the season. What does the future hold for Chytil as the Rangers face these salary cap struggles?

Chytil is in the final year of the two-year, $2.3 million dollar contract he signed in 2020. In 22 games this season, Chytil has scored six goals and tallied fourteen points. If he keeps up this pace, he will set a new career high in all offensive categories. However, if this is the case, then his next contract could prove to be problematic for the Rangers. Chytil will be looking for more than the $2.3 million he is making now if he puts up career numbers and the Rangers may not be able to afford him going forward.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 20: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 1:50 of the second period against the San Jose Sharks and is joined by Jacob Trouba #8 (L) and Artemi Panarin #10 (C) at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 20: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 1:50 of the second period against the San Jose Sharks and is joined by Jacob Trouba #8 (L) and Artemi Panarin #10 (C) at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

This begs the question of what does Chytil’s future with the Rangers look like? They could sign him to a contract and give him what he wants. This may cause other players to be shipped out for cap reasons, but if the team sees him as a key part of the future, they could very well lock him up long-term. The team could also give him another bridge contract, which would probably be the best option.

It gives the player the chance to prove that he can put up these numbers on a consistent basis and then he could cash in on his next contract. The third option would be that the Rangers might have to consider trading Chytil.

With Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller also needing new deals, Chytil will play third fiddle to them as the other two players are more valuable to the team in the long run. If this is the case, the team might have to consider trading Chytil. They can trade him for another player, or trade him for picks and prospects.

If they want to try and keep all three players, then other players would have to go. Players like Ryan Lindgren, Barclay Goodrow, or even Chris Kreider(if he would waive his NMC) could be considered trade candidates.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: Filip Chytil #72 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers react after Chytil scored during the second period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: Filip Chytil #72 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers react after Chytil scored during the second period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on April 29, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

There are going to be many factors at play when it comes to the future of Filip Chytil. He could stay, or he could go. As the season goes on, he should be a player to watch to see if he can play at a higher level more consistently and if he can, the Rangers may have no choice but to sign him. If not, this could be the last season for Chytil as a New York Ranger. Only time will tell which way the team and player will go.

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