New York Rangers Bottom Six Regular Season Review
By Conor Power
![NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 07: Julien Gauthier #12 of the New York Rangers (on ice) celebrates his second period goal against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 07, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images ) NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 07: Julien Gauthier #12 of the New York Rangers (on ice) celebrates his second period goal against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 07, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images )](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/395e981d62dfa82ddea7e8e421481395ab5c4a33fdbe6809a2252016ef3d9e6b.jpg)
Filip Chytil
This is the biggest breakout year of any Ranger forward. Filip Chytil has arrived in the big leagues. For the Czech-born centerman, this was the kind of year fans have been wanting since the Rangers drafted him 21st overall in the 2017 NHL Entry draft. He was great on the ice, he was great with the media, he was fantastic with the fans, and he’s proven himself to be as good a player as he is a person.
In just 74 games this season, Chytil recorded 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points. That is a monster season for the 23-year-old. This was good enough to put him sixth on the team in production behind the big four forwards that were here at the beginning of the year and Adam Fox. It was suspected that the Rangers would need their young kids to take a step forward this season and Chytil certainly did that.
If he did not score a single goal this season and just had his 23 helpers, that would have tied his career-high in points. He doubled what he had been doing for the Blueshirts and this should hopefully be the start of a long and fruitful career in Manhatten. While the path into the top six is blocked for the moment, that hasn’t stopped the Rangers from showing Chytil that they have full faith in his abilities.
Chytil signed a 4.4375 x 4 extension with the Rangers earlier in the season so we know that the Czech forward is going to be with the Blueshirts for the foreseeable future and that he is still a key part in the plans of Chris Drury, Gerard Gallant, and the coaching staff. However, he cannot rest. Chytil needs to keep trying to build on this success and keep modestly improving. He can become a key part of a Stanley Cup Champion, hopefully.