Filip Chytil injury update

One of the more questionable narratives that has arisen this offseason is that the Rangers are going to use their third line as a bruising third line. This basically stems from the addition of Barclay Goodrow and an assumption that Filip Chytil will be in the Jack Eichel trade. It’s rather short sighted, and doesn’t really look at the full picture. The argument is that Tampa’s third line hit people, but it’s often forgotten that they were pretty good at hockey too. If the Rangers want to replicate it, they need a scoring punch.

https://twitter.com/NickZararis/status/1423712426277625862

Now this tweet does focus on one snippet, but it’s not just Carp that has published something like this. There are more than a few local and national writers that assume the Rangers are just going for their Tom Wilson problem. But if we remember that Tom Wilson didn’t break the Rangers or alter any of their plans, then it seems like an odd argument to make.

Filip Chytil is good and young

One thing that gets me is focusing on Filip Chytil as some kind of detriment on the ice. We’ve discussed how Chytil. who is still just 21 years old, is a solid two-way player. Rob reiterated this on Twitter, with the possession stats showing Chytil is pretty damn good, and is continually improving.

For those who are pining for Aleksander Barkov, this is what Chytil projects out to be with the way his numbers look. Barkov didn’t become Barkov until his 5th season in the NHL, when he started putting up 70 points a year with solid two way play. As of today, Chytil as the 3C would be a great complement to Goodrow and (likely) Chris Kreider. That’s a line that is defensively sound, can score, and can do more than just take the body.

One other thing: Chytil was developing under David Quinn and did not really get top-six or consistent powerplay time. Given Chytil’s P/60 rates at even strength, there’s a solid argument that he will be able to produce in more ice time. We won’t know until he starts getting that time.

Balance includes skill, not just grit

As much as the narrative is about needing to balance out the lineup with grit, you need to keep it balanced with a healthy dose of skill. That Coleman-Gourde-Goodrow line in Tampa could also score. Let’s not forget that.

If the Rangers are to replicate that, they need more than just bruisers. Which center are the Rangers going to use on that line if (when?) they trade Chytil? This isn’t to advocate against trading Chytil as he isn’t untouchable, it’s to point out that the Rangers would still need some dose of scoring on that line. Do they envision Morgan Barron in that role? Do they move Goodrow to center and try Julien Gauthier as the 3RW? Morgan Barron? Sammy Blais?

There are options of course. It does seem that some are hoping a guy like Ryan Reaves is on the Rangers third line, which isn’t realistic or a formula for success. All due respect to Reaves, but if he’s playing third line minutes, the Rangers are going to have a problem.

Balance is key, and balance is a two way street. The Rangers needed to add an extra element to their roster, and it cost them some skill. However swinging the pendulum too much in the other direction makes the Rangers unbalanced again. On an equilibrium scale, everything is perfectly balanced. Thanos should be proud.

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