Filip Chytil took a massive leap in the 2022-23 regular season. The Rangers have wanted their 2017 first-round pick to flourish and considering the fact that he is turning 24 years old on September 5th, he is entering his most important years as an NHL player.
After a breakout performance in the 2022 postseason, Filip Chytil carried that momentum into the 2022-23 regular season, doubling his point total from the year before.
In 2021-22, Chytil tallied eight goals with 14 assists for 22 points in 67 regular season games. To put things into perspective, he scored seven goals in 20 postseason games that same year.
In 2022-23, Chytil's confidence continued to grow as he potted home 22 goals and 23 assists for 45 points in 74 games played. His play continues to evolve following that incredible postseason in 2022.
Mike Rupp and Tony Luftman had Chytil on their "Don't Sleep On 'Em" list on the NHL Network. Rupp said "I wouldn't be surprised and I actually think it would be the best thing for this Rangers team, his game continues to evolve and he becomes a top-six center. Where I think Vinny Trocheck will be most dangerous as a sleeper guy somewhere else in the lineup as maybe a third-line center."
The full video of Rupp and Luftman discussing this is below:
Chytil signed a 4-year, $17.75 million contract with the Rangers this past March, making it clear that the organization has a ton of faith in him. Even though Vincent Trocheck has a larger contract at 7 years, $39.4 million, it could be argued that Chytil is more important to this team in the long run.
Trocheck had a solid first season as a Ranger, tallying 22 goals and 42 assists for 64 points in all 82 games played. Take a look again though, Trocheck and Chytil had the same amount of goals, despite Trocheck playing in eight more games and averaging around five more minutes of time on ice per game. Trocheck tallied 17 points on the power play as opposed to Chytil's five points on the man-advantage.
Chytil had 19 even-strength goals, while Trocheck had only 13. Of course, Trocheck has plenty more experience in the NHL, but experience shouldn't be the factor that holds Chytil back from reaching his potential.
In my personal opinion, I'd love to see Chytil centering that second line and perhaps slotting in the fifth role on the first power play unit. As he enters the prime years of his NHL career, it might not only benefit him long term, but it could be paramount for the organization.