New York Rangers forward Filip Chytil has avoided what many feared could be another concussion and is set to rejoin the team in Calgary on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old was held back in New York for further evaluation following a collision with teammate K’Andre Miller during last Thursday’s win against the San Jose Sharks.
Mollie Walker of the New York Post first reported the news on Tuesday, informing that a specialist has cleared Chytil of any concussion symptoms. The player, however, was forced to miss Tuesday's matchup while his availability for Thursday’s game against the Flames is uncertain.
"The Czech center, who was examined by specialists in New York after a scary collision with K’Andre Miller last week, did not suffer a concussion," Walker wrote. "[Chytil] is set to join the Rangers in Calgary, industry sources told The Post on Tuesday."
Chytil’s promising start to the season—four goals and five assists in 15 games—has boosted the Rangers' third-line production alongside Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko.
That trio has been one of the team’s most consistent combinations, contributing 11 goals without conceding any during five-on-five play, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The collision with Miller initially sparked concern due to Chytil’s history of head injuries, which limited him to just 10 regular-season games last year. Chytil’s absence extended into the playoffs, though he managed to return midway through the second round.
In his absence, Jonny Brodzinski has temporarily filled in on the third line. Brodzinski had not appeared in a game since Nov. 1 but he's played double-digit minutes in the last two Rangers' matchups on Sunday and Tuesday.
After the 4-3 win over Vancouver on Tuesday, head coach Peter Laviolette praised his squad’s ability to adjust to Chytil's and other absences.
“It’s always good to see guys stepping up when we need it most,” Laviolette said.
The Rangers face the Flames on Thursday before completing their four-game road trip on Saturday in Edmonton. If New York decides to give Chytil more rest and wait for their next home game to bring him back, that'd happen next Monday against the St. Louis Blues.
